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Donations far exceed predictions S. Oregonians send 200,000 pounds of aid to Honduran victims By JULIE SWENSEN Operation Shoebox's drive to collect food and clothing for Hurricane Mitch victims in Honduras exceeded expectations. The goal of the Oregon-based nonprofit organization was to fill a military C-5 Galaxy transport plane with the donations, and that's been done -- and then some. Marthanne G. Dedrick, the group's community action coordinator, said that 168 pallets have gone out from Southern Oregon. She estimated that donations collected reached close to 200,000 pounds. The hangar at the Civil Air Patrol was filled three times. That's not counting the close to $8,000 collected locally, which will all be used for medical supplies. "All of Southern Oregon has an enormous heart. They have shown their ability for compassion," Dedrick said. There's no more work to be done at this stage; the sorting of the items wrapped up Saturday. About a truckload a day has been going out since last Monday to Portland, where the 939th Rescue Wing will fly the donations to Honduras. A truck will transport the last batch of items up north today. Among those who helped, Dedrick said, was a youth group from Shepherd of the Valley Catholic Church that sorted and packed items every day from Tuesday through Friday, although not one of the youths has any family in Honduras. Some families brought in their children so they children could experience giving, she said. (People still wanting to help the Honduran relief effort can donate money to Operation Shoebox, P.O. Box 424, Medford, OR 97501. There is no deadline for cash donations. For people who missed Friday's deadline to donate food and clothing, Dedrick said people can take that same compassion and help people in need in our community.) Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA