Press Release authorized by Dr. Dewey E. Painter, Sr., President

9-11-2005

It all started on Monday August 28^th when Mission Harvest America sent their first press release appealing for Hurricane Katrina victim’s assistance. Mission Harvest America responds to national disaster like this worldwide. Mission Harvest was winding down support for Tsunami victims in India when Katrina hit the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama shores. Everyone expected thing would be bad, however it was shocking to all of us as the aftermath became reality. As a faith based organization, Mission Harvest America’s mission is providing humanitarian aid; therefore we were already in position to respond. Partnering with First Coast News Channel 12 and PRI Productions in Jacksonville, Florida we set up 48-foot trailers at the Sun’s ballpark. We had hopes to fill five or six trailers, but the citizens of Jacksonville and the surrounding areas come from everywhere donating materials and to volunteering help. With the assistance of Dale Starr Trailer Rentals we were furnished seven [7] of their trailers and two [2] trailers from S&W Trailer Rentals. We also had one trailer of our own for a total of ten [10] 48-foot van/cargo trailers. We rotated these trailers at least three [3] times each for a total pickup of 30 trailer loads. In addition to those loads we had two volunteer drivers with their own trailers that were loaded at the ballpark. The last day of drop off at the Sun’s Ballpark was Saturday September 2 at 1:00 PM. Due to a lack of more trailers we had pickup drivers who were willing to rotate from the ballpark to the warehouse facility donated by Duval Container Company. Approximately 22 runs were made by the pickups that would equal one cargo trailer for a grand total of 33 trailer loads collected at the Sun’s Ballpark and First Coast News Station.

In addition to the donations collected at the ballpark we had trailers set up all over town and many additional drop off places. Five of the 48-foot trailers were stationed in the north, east, south and west parts of Duval County. Trailers at Woodchuck’s furniture on San Jose in Mandarin were rotated as they filled them three times for a total of 36 trailers. Three trailer loads from the two locations at the beaches produced 5 trailers and the one at Winn Dixie on north Lem Turner and Woodchuck’s in Orange Park produced 2 more trailers for a total of 43 trailer loads. For the past ten days there has been a steady flow of citizens coming to our warehouse with cars, pickups, some pulling trailers, rental van trucks and more dropping off an estimate 10 trailer loads and the US Navy from NAS Jacksonville delivered two large trucks that would equal another trailer for a total of 55 trailers. Mission Harvest America donated 7 trailers loads of material for a grand total of 61 trailer loads. It does not stop there; we still have three trailers stationed in the west, east and south of Jacksonville.

Transportation companies like Hill Van Service, a Mayflower Agency, CSX, Hedrick Trucking, Jessie Smith Trucking, Banner Transport, Westside Diesel, and a host of other Owner-Operators have pitched in to help deliver the needed supplies to the area. Campbell Roofing Company from Macon GA furnished four of their 24-foot trucks with drivers to make as many runs to and from the area as possible. They have made six drops so far and will do four more on Monday.

In addition to aiding the victims of the hurricane we have also assisted those that are working hard to rescue them. From many states policemen, firemen, USAF Civil Air Patrol and host of other service personnel have come to the area to help. At the request of Major General Tony Pineda National Commander of the USAF Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, Mission Harvest shipped needed supplies to their Mississippi Headquarters to assist them. A call was received from the Law Enforcement Center in Brunswick, GA, telling of the hundreds of law enforcement personnel in the disaster area, many with just a few changes of clothes and the personal support items they brought with them. Within 20 hours of the request we were able to send two truckloads into the lower Mississippi area in support of Law Enforcement personnel. The normal disaster relief going into these areas does not include aid to those local city police and fire departments that are also in need. We have delivered two truckloads in support of these

The warehouse space donated by Duval Container Company became a beehive of activity with trailers coming and going. Hundreds of people stepped forward, volunteering their time. The Navy from NAS Jacksonville sent teams of chief selected to help on two occasions with over 100 sailors. The whole Mandarin High School football team and their coaches came to help. Washington Mutual sent 70 people one day to assist us. The list goes on and on. Sometimes you hate to list names because of the ones you forgot. From the citizens of Jacksonville to the Corporations and from the US Navy they came, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and many more came. They worked, they cheered and they produced 49 truckloads of supplies for the disaster area and to areas by September 10^th for the survivors and rescuers of Hurricane Katrina.

It does not stop here. We have six trucks to load out on Monday the 12^th, starting at 8 AM and going until the work is done. We need volunteers and we need FOOD. The primary thing being asked for at this time is FOOD. The other items are needed in smaller quantities but FOOD is the primary need. We need more local organizations to set up FOOD drives. If they can fill a 48-foot trailer we will station one at their desired location and pick it up when it is full. There are still lots of drop off points around the city. Call 904-356-4819 for the drop off site nearest you or for directions to the warehouse.

Where do go from here? Mission Harvest America will continue to receive donations, shipping them in consolidated trailers to the disaster areas. Mission Harvest has also become a central dispatching point for loads coming from Connecticut, New York, Virginia and other places. From other areas of the country people are responding to Mission Harvest because of their Nationwide Network already established.

Mission Harvest will begin the second phase of Disaster Support by forming teams of volunteers for some of the harder hit areas to provide labor where most needed. Once the Labor Network has been established Mission Harvest will be calling for volunteers. Churches or organizations with 15 passenger vans that are willing to provide the van and driver are asked to contact Dr. Dewey E. Painter, Sr. at Mission Harvest for details [904-356-5032]. If they have enough to fill the vans then we can direct them to places of need. If they have empty seats we can fill them with volunteers. A volunteer listing has already been established and you can add your name by calling 904-356-9006.

What can you do to help?

1. Pray for those affected by the disaster. Remember the loss that many suffer due to the lost and hurt of their loved ones and friends that were in the path of the Hurricane.

2. Donate Food. Bring the Food to our warehouse at 60 South Copeland Street, Jacksonville or send SAM’S CLUB cards and we will go to Sam’s and purchase the food for you.

3. Fuel and associated operating costs have been accelerated due the rise in fuel costs. Funds are needed to keep the trucks rolling. Funds should be sent to Mission Harvest America, POB 551065, Jacksonville, FL 32255-1065

4. Personnel to help. Volunteers to sort clothes, unload donations coming in sort and loading trucks going out.