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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 10, 2005 1st Lt. Mark Tobin directs traffic as military ambulances are loaded on flatbed trucks in Medford Friday for transport to New Orleans. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Guard gets ready to help Local guardsmen by the hundreds bring supplies, donations and goodwill to serve a region in need By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Oregon Army National Guard members in Medford loaded military ambulances stocked with donated medical equipment Friday as they headed out to help the victims of the hurricane-ravaged South. "These will go right to downtown New Orleans," said 1st Lt. Mark Tobin, who was in charge of logistics. He said 12 flatbed trucks, scheduled to move out Friday and today, are also transporting communication trucks and other vehicles that haul troops and equipment. There are 363 Guardsmen from Southern Oregon who are being sent to the South to lend assistance, and about 180 are from Jackson County. Advertisement Pointing to the ambulances being loaded on the trucks, Tobin said, "They are jam-packed with medical equipment." Local hospitals in Ashland, Medford and Grants Pass have donated medical supplies for the relief effort. Tim Ogren, director of materials management for Rogue Valley Medical Center, said that on Thursday the Guard "called us in the morning and said we need it by one o’clock." Ogren said most requests are fairly vague, but the Guard asked for specific items such as gloves, gowns, masks and germicidal wipes. "They’re not high-dollar amounts," he said, estimating the supplies cost the hospital about $1,000. The hospital often donates excess supplies to the Northwest Medical Team, a humanitarian-aid organization. Ogren said RVMC was happy to contribute to the New Orleans relief effort. "Anything we can do," he said. Since Tuesday, National Guard trucks have rolled out of Medford every day on their way to one of the biggest disasters to ever befall America. Among organizations locally that have pitched in, Naumes Equipment allowed the National Guard to use its ramp to load the truck. Tobin said other companies and organizations have donated supplies such as diapers, baby formula, shoes and clothes. A Grants Pass man, Gene Anderson, donated water purification systems that can treat 1,200 gallons an hour . Anderson, who is one of the owners of Vortex One International, said the purification systems were designed to help build orphanages in impoverished countries. "It was tested with actual water out of a septic tank," he said. Anderson, who estimated the equipment was valued at $7,000, said he immediately realized the filtration systems would help in the relief efforts. "It’s really its best use when it’s an emergency," he said. Tobin said he sent two Guardsmen to get training on the purifiers, saying they would be needed in New Orleans. Tobin, who recently came back from a tour in Iraq, said the National Guard was designed for state and local emergencies. "Right now our mission is Americans helping Americans," said Tobin. "I’d help Americans out anytime over going back to Iraq." While he clearly enjoys helping out, Tobin said it has been a tremendous undertaking to coordinate civilian organizations and federal agencies in marshaling all the equipment and supplies on short notice. "The logistics part is a nightmare," he said. The Guard is also coordinating "Operation Backpack," where it will receive and transport donated supplies for children in the South. Staff Sgt. Toby Hislip, a veteran of Vietnam, Desert Storm and Iraq who is helping with the relief effort, said he’s particularly happy to be helping the South recover from the hurricane. "I’m honored to serve this country," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail Guard gets ready to help ">[email protected] . Events raise money for disaster relief: Local individuals, businesses and organizations are holding the following events to raise money for disaster relief in the Gulf Coast: The Table Rock Fellowship is sponsoring a can and change drive at 1 p.m. on Sept. 16. People are asked to bring cans and spare change to 3610 N. Pacific Highway in Medford. Proceeds will go to the American Red Cross. The parent company of Medford’s Meier & Frank department store will match contributions for hurricane relief up to $1 million. Customers of Robinsons-May/Meier & Frank will be able to contribute $1 or more to hurricane relief, with or without a purchase. Federated Department Stores, the parent company of the division, will match all donations up to the limit. Funds will be split evenly between the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Medford has agreed to offer support to a Mississippi church of the same name destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. The local church’s outreach committee will "adopt" St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Gulfport, Miss., said outreach coordinator Christian Mathisen. Built in 1846, that church was the oldest on the Mississippi coast. It was one of six Gulf Coast churches destroyed on Aug. 29, when Hurricane Katrina struck. The local outreach committee agreed to match the congregation’s contributions to the Mississippi church up to $5,000. Southern Oregon residents who want to help with recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina can send donations to several local organizations: Rogue Valley Chapter, American Red Cross — 60 Hawthorne St.cq, Medford, OR 97504; call 779-3773; or visit " target="_blank">www.redcross-roguevalley.org . Medford Citadel, Salvation Army — 304 Beatty St., Medford, OR 97501; call 773-6965; or visit " target="_blank">www.tsacascade.org . United Way of Jackson County — 711 E. Main St., Medford, OR 97504; call 773-5339; or visit " target="_blank">http://national.unitedway.org . The local United Way will accept donations for its "long-term healing fund," which provides services after initial crises have passed. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztechmedia Website Hosting Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Advertisement s