Central Floridians are really shining

[caneman]

I had a chance to help out today and they had double the amount of volunteers they were expecting today. The amount of donations I saw from throughout the country was amazing as well. Americans really now how to step up to the plate. Seems like a lot of leasons were learned from Andrew. My brother had his power restored from an out of state Power Company. POlice officers patroling from all over Florida and disaster teams from far and wide. Quite amazing.

[Terry]

Yes - lots of volunteers and in some cases, too many. Call before you show up.

I've been at the emergency animal shelter in Bartow (Polk County) since Wednesday. I even met some volunteers who had driven from Boston and will take some animals back up there for adoption. They turned away some volunteers today (Saturday) but are still accepting donated pet items and may need volunteers next week.

What they need now are for owners of lost pets to come forward and for others to come out and "foster to adopt" if the owner isn't found. LOTS of dogs, cats, kittens. There was even a pig, duck, two chickens, and two bunnies, but a registered wildlife rehab person took them all to her shelter.

Traveled to Lake Wales yesterday evening for a United Way assignment, but they didn't need me there. However, the town is a mess and Nat'l Guard are at the municipal buildings, etc. helping with traffic control, crowds, etc, although everything seemed quite calm and organized to me. Electricity is slowly coming back on and I saw a huge helicopter bringing in a huge electric transmission pole and tons of electric company workers and trucks. (101 mph gust recorded in Lake Wales with 95 mph sustained winds.)

Polk County is trying to get back together after the costliest disaster in our history. Those who remember Donna were prepared. Those who didn't know about Donna and didn't listen to forcasts about the eye coming inland, were not. (I was in Orlando two days pre Charley and they were predicting hurricane force winds there already.)

[Cyclone Runner]

I've been at the emergency animal shelter in Bartow (Polk County) since Wednesday. I even met some volunteers who had driven from Boston and will take some animals back up there for adoption. They turned away some volunteers today (Saturday) but are still accepting donated pet items and may need volunteers next week.

Good on you for looking after the animals. I reckon they always get forgotton in times like these. It is good to know that people like you remember them!!

[cape_escape]

I'm glad to hear that so many are helping! My brother-in-laws daughter lives in Orlando and she lost her roof.

[Roxy]

I've been at the emergency animal shelter in Bartow (Polk County) since Wednesday. I even met some volunteers who had driven from Boston and will take some animals back up there for adoption. They turned away some volunteers today (Saturday) but are still accepting donated pet items and may need volunteers next week.

Good on you for looking after the animals. I reckon they always get forgotton in times like these. It is good to know that people like you remember them!!

I concur. Pet's lives are never more important than Humans, but I hate to see the animals forgotten about. I'm quite an animal lover myself, if I were there I'd want to take them all home.

[ameriwx2003]

Yes, its good to see Floridians helping out.. I noticed the next day and on Sunday local stores here in Polk County were swamped with people looking for water and food.. Alot of people rolled the dice and figured Polk County would be safe:):) I am sure the next storm that threatens alot of people won't make that same mistake:):)