A friend stopped by the Illinois Terminal today (Wednesday) and spoke with Andrea Rundell, who is with the United Way and who is coordinating Champaign-Urbana's relief efforts for Gulf Coast evacuees, regarding immediate needs beginning tomorrow, Thursday, 8 September, and lasting for an indeterminate period (perhaps a couple of weeks??). Here are the legitimate needs that have arisen so far:

1) Ms. Rundell needs 1-2 people to serve as volunteers between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. beginning tomorrow, to do miscellaneous tasks as they arise

2) They may need (at the Illinois Terminal) the following, in order of priority (quantities are unknown): baby formula, feminine hygiene products, men's deodorant, individual men's razors and shaving cream, women's deodorant. But don't just go by the Illinois Terminal and drop these items off; first find someone there and be absolutely certain they're needed.

3) You can donate phone cards for evacuees to call relatives; gift cards for grocery stores and discount stores; and/or gift certificates for restaurants that are close to the intersection of North Neil and Marketview (a few evacuees are staying at the Super 8 Motel there). If you want to donate any of these items, please take them to the United Way office at 404 W. Church, Champaign—do NOT take them to the Illinois Terminal.

4) The volunteers at the Illinois Terminal could use some bags of fruit so they are not constantly eating junk food.

Andrea Rundell's cell phone number is 898-1156. She receives many calls that she cannot take. If necessary, track her down at the Illinois Terminal. Please contact Ms. Rundell directly if you can volunteer tomorrow or in the near future. If you cannot get through to her cell phone, just show up. The worst that can happen is they won't need you.

Thanks to Brian Mustain for this information. Help in any way you can.