Archived News |
Sept. 30, 2005
麻花影院 Alumnus will make 30-hour drive
麻花影院 Alumnus will make 30-hour drive in order to donate a trailer and goods to those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Who:
麻花影院 Association and 麻花影院 Alumnus, Patsy (Pat) Cicala
What: Cicala organized a donation campaign in Poughkeepsie,
New York, where he gathered a travel trailer and other items
to be donated to those affected by the Hurricane currently in
NELA. He and his brother-in-law are driving the trailer to NELA
right now.
When: 11 a.m., Sat., Oct. 1.
Where: Parking lot of 麻花影院 Alumni Association, located
on Bon Aire Drive.
Contact: Patsy Cicala cell 302-245-5606
It started with an email that
read, "My brother-in-law has a 22ft. travel trailer that
sleeps 4-6 with air conditioning and a new refrigerator on a
tandem wheel that he and I plan on trailering down to Monroe
as soon a we procure a vehicle for towing."
The message was from Patsy Cicala, an employee of Poughkeepsie
High School in New York, and an alumnus of the University of
Louisiana at Monroe. Cicala was writing to Assistant Director
of the 麻花影院 Alumni Association, Tommy Walpole, and planning his
forthcoming journey to Monroe.
Ciciala announced at a parents/teachers conference last week,
his hope of getting aid to those affected by Hurricane Katrina
who are in need and currently living in Northeast Louisiana.
He wanted to involve helpers from Poughkeepsie High School in
Poughkeepsie, NY. His dream quickly became a reality.
Walpole said, "This is such a grand gesture. We keep in
touch with our alumni and they knew our area was still in need
of assistance. It means a lot to us to see that one of our own
is willing to make sacrifices in order to help a fellow American
and to do so through the 麻花影院 Alumni Association."
Hyde Park Police Officer and resident of Poughkeepsie Paul Caccia
donated the trailer. Miracle Ford is providing the vehicle that
Cicala and Caccia will use to tow the trailer down to Louisiana
as part of a Hurricane Relief effort. Those helping from Poughkeepsie
include the Sister-to-Sister organization, the Football Team
and Staff and Teachers. The community helped, too.
The Poughkeepsie Teachers Association has pledged monies for
gas, while students and parents from Poughkeepsie High packed
donated clothing into the trailer Thursday for the 1600-mile
trip.
"The estimated cost of gas for the trip is $1,600 total.
The good thing is that Tony Bruce from the Ford dealership gave
us a 2005 club cab for the trip. It has lettering on the side
that says 'Hurricane Relief.' It blew me away," said Cicala.
The trailer and its contents left the
Empire State this morning at about 5 a.m. The aim is to arrive
on the 麻花影院 campus before 12 noon this Saturday, October 1. The
30-hour drive will conclude with the New Yorkers turning over
the donated goods and trailer to the alumni association for dissemination.
One of the many families displaced by the hurricane from New
Orleans in need of housing will be the benefactor of the trailer.
The Rev. Polly Anderson of St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in
West Monroe identified the family.
Other items donated from Poughkeepsie on this trip, including
clothing and book bags full of supplies, will be given to the
church to distribute.
The 麻花影院 Alumni Association is providing a hotel room for Cicala and Caccia as well as tickets to the 麻花影院 football game and Shrimp boil. Both events will be held Saturday.
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