Me at headquarter for the centrebridgets - how did you all fair? I received a card from my daughter (but it was really meant for her father apparently) and a that was all. Boo hoo.
Actually has been a great day. things are really moving along for the Gold Coast Emergency Relief Centre and I will post my most up-date that i send through to the media
The following is an up-date on today's activities:
Positives to date
- A total of over 500 boxes have now been dispatched from the centre to various locations and to various individual families, via our Golden Wish Lists
- We have been in contact with someone from the Salvation Army who is co-ordinating supplies to the relief camps. We will be now store goods in their respective boxes (e.g., baby nappies, toiletries, ladies and men's clothes, towels, linen, toys, bags, suitcases, animal needs and many other items that we have been given). Then when the request come from either Victoria or FNQ, we shall be able to send the boxes to them using Australian Air Express.
- we have at least 500 boxes of goods ready to go with probably another 300 boxes still to sort and pack.
- regular volunteers are now coming to assist and we have a very productive system going
- we have established contact with FNQ flood relief area - the local councilor was very grateful to receive our call and after a meeting on Monday - we shall look at how we can assist up north
- we are continuing to offer residents of the Gold Coast to fill in our "Best Wishes" book - we will send these down in a few weeks
Negatives
- still no local media to support and relay the great work of the volunteers (there have been over 250 different volunteers through the centre now)
- still no local or interstate media to relay our wonderful 24 hour turn around (FREE) service of the Golden Wish Lists
- I still am supplying lunch for all the volunteers using my own funds
- people are still dropping goods off every day (approx 20 today - despite the fact we are trying to turn them away)
- I am disappointed that Matt at the news room at the Bulletin said he would definitely return my call and never did
People to thank today
All these people are helping because they are in a position to - not because they have been "employed to do that job description". Many people that we ask are saying No. These people, listed below are saying "YES - what else can I do, how can I help".
Steve Jenke again at Coles, Healesville . We will now be in liaison with The Salvos and their dispatch store (which they have established), but Steve has been an integral link in making this happen.
AAE (Australian Air Express) I will never use anyone else again except these guys for courier services, (Sean Patterson, David Neylon and Leo - the driver) have been polite, efficient and very obliging.
Corporate Express for dropping in 100 boxes for us to use
Helen from Hope Island Vet Clinic (again for coming in when she was sick) and offering to chase up QLD Vet Assoc and find out what needs their are north and for letting us know in Victoria - all the vet clinics are well stocked at this stage. But will let us know if they need supplies.
And all the volunteers again for their tireless efforts. (ESP Carole Dennis, Ethel, Nicole Holland, Debbie, Vicky, Olivia, Lisa... And the other 50 people who helped out today)
Alistair Mitchell (Licensee of CBD - estate agents) for his tireless support and tolerance for us using their (flooded and leaking) AFL club rooms
The next steps
- I am going to Sydney to collect the first run of my book (taking it overseas next week to promote) and will be back Tuesday
- Carole Dennis is filling in for me while I am away
- we are locating people that have been interviewed on television and are offering our Golden Wish Lists.
- our Golden Wish Lists are being received with great joy and I imagine in the next few days we will have multiple amounts of requests arriving
- we are already to assist as need with the flood situation up north
- we are honored to assist with the Salvation Army down south
My Wish List
- for the media to start thanking the volunteers and people who have assisted to make this happen
- for the media to start promoting the wonderful service of the Wish Lists
- for the people in immanent danger again in the hills of Healesville to be safe and not to suffer any more property or personal loss
Kind regards and let's all remember it was only last week that majority of the people who died were going through their ordeal at this time.
My book "Hot Tips for the Business Traveler " comes out this week. I am going to Sydney tomorrow to get it from the printers. It's like awaiting the birth of a baby- except I pretty much now what it will look like. But I have no idea how it is going to feel, having my own book, in my own little hands - time will tell.
Have a lovely Valentine's day and I hope you scored some chocolates! Bridget
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