Approximately 20 tons of food, water and clothing donated by area residents reached Houston last week when Bold Brave Courageous (BBC) drove to the Gulf Coast with three tractor trailers.
John Clemente of BBC said that hundreds of volunteers helped process the shipment. All of the clothing, even the smallest infant socks, were sorted by age and sex. Then everything was labeled and shrink-wrapped in the distinctive Bold Brave Courageous style.
"We even gave away three or four tons of heavyweight winter clothing to the Salvation Army," said Clemente.
After helping to load the tons of relief supplies, a very tired Nick Mascolo of BBC spontaneously decided to travel to Houston in the lead truck.
Clemente credited United Parcel Service and U.S. Congressman Scott Garrett for helping to get the three trucks from Tenafly to Houston. UPS provided the trucks and drivers. Garrett arranged for a staging area to unload the 30,000 bottles of water, three tons of food and seven tons of clothing along with baby products.
The community's response and generosity pleased Mascolo and Clemente. "In just three and a half days we were able to respond like this," Mascolo said. "the show of generosity has been truly incredible. Donations included baby clothes, water, food and other necessities. In only a few days items were piled six to eight feet high in a Mahwah warehouse."
"We want to thank everyone for his or her help," said Clemente. Bold Brave Courageous continues its primary mission of providing personal care items to soldiers who are recovering from Iraqi war wounds at Washington, D.C. area hospitals. In fact, Clemente visited with wounded soldiers in Washington, D.C. only a few days ago.
Clemente said people can still make financial contributions to Bold Brave Courageous Katrina Fund or they can send checks directly to the Houston Food Bank, which operates 250 kitchens. Clemente said that the bank receives matching funds of $25 for every dollar contribution. The Houston Food Bank is at 3811 East Tex Freeway, Houston, TX 77026; telephone is (713) 223-3700.
In another venture...