Janesville Trucker Sends Practical Help

Most of us who have worked to help mobilize relief for victims of Hurricane Katrina have probably thought about the most direct and immediate relief we can give - our time, effort, and needed supplies. Aside from monetary donations, a practical response is a task that is beyond most of us because of family responsibilities and the rising price - and limited availability - of gas. And it may be too soon to have unorganized workers arrive on the scene, though I expect that will be the push in the coming months. Marcia Nelesen of the Janesville Gazette writes:

One woman - and her company, Peg Trucking - has the wherewithal, and she's putting it to good use today. Peg Palaszeski is loading one of her trucks to send to an area of Mississippi that we've heard little from, thanks to the lack of communications.

Palaszeski and her husband, Lee, own Peg Trucking. Palaszeski last heard from her brother-in-law, who lives in Bay St. Louis, Miss., on Monday. She has other friends who live in the Kiln, Miss., area. Bay St. Louis is on the coast between Waveland and Biloxi and is among the areas hardest hit by the hurricane.

The little word that has trickled from the area is one of devastation.

Palaszeski said her brother-in-law was able to get word out after the storms went through Monday.

"That was the last we heard from them'' Palaszeski said Thursday afternoon. "We know they're alive. We don't know if their houses are standing.''

Palaszeski is asking people to donate items that were requested by people she has heard from who live in the area.

"I need to go down and get my nephews out of there,'' she said, adding that she'll probably bring them back here to enroll in school.

"I'm not going without supplies,'' she added. "I want to fill up the truck.''

The Palaszekis are loading up the truck today, and are asking for water and canned goods, diapers, cots, medical supplies, chain saws, batteries, flashlights, radios, generators and pet food. Monetary donations will used to pay for the driver and fuel. Donations can be dropped today at the Palaszeki home at 2525 Randolph Road in Janesville. For more information, call (248) 613-9571.