I'm working with a 501c3 non-profit, AERObridge (www.aerobridge.org), to transport the most critical supplies down to the coastal areas via airplane. Rockport is one of the more immediate areas in need, but all are open for delivery. A priority list of supplies is on the AERObridge website. Airplanes are being used to transport essentials, but they are not moving water (weight) or non-essentials (teddy bears, strollers, etc.).

I had planned to fly supplies non-stop out of San Antonio all weekend, but it appears that lots of folks down in the metro areas have either already tapped out the local grocers and sent them onward, or they are being gas conscious. I've found donors to sponsor all the fuel I can burn this weekend.

I need 'Ol Rock to gather an entire cache of supplies and get them to an airport for pickup. E-mail your church congregation, HOA, etc,. and run a short food drive. Call your food bank and tell them you've got somebody willing to pick up if they'll supply. We'll take pet food from the humane society if they can spare it.

I'll pick up loads from any airport pretty much anywhere east of Abilene on down south. (That's not a hard rule... you get enough together and I'll find somebody to get it here). I'm counting them in 100 lb units and can carry up to 350 lbs at a time. I'll also evacuate folks on the backhaul.

Please let me know if you can help. Please email me at (edit: JRay06@gmail.com) and PM me here with your cell phone.

Gig 'em

Jeff Ray '10

You doing an Addison pickup. Ill clean out every store in miles of mosquito stuff.

What time.

God loves you.

Update 9PM:

I am absolutely amazed at how many of you have already reached out. I've now got at least three loads scheduled for Saturday coming from DFW, San Antonio, and Austin. These are headed to Rockport, Corpus, and (TBD). As offers keep coming in, know that if you live near a supply depot (DFW / Austin / San Antonio / Phoenix), you do not need to schedule a drop off. Just take it to the businesses listed above and if I can't get to them, another pilot will.

As I write this I just got word of another plane offered up in San Antonio. He's ready for missions tomorrow. So far we have over a dozen aircraft in the air tomorrow, and they're all hauling. Put simply: this is awesome.

It's come to my attention that I'm limited to daily number of posts (5). I'll start editing my last post if I run out. Someone has offered to communicate on the boards on my behalf and coordinate while I'm in the air, and I'll update once that person has accepted the job.

Thanks & Gig'em

Jeff

Dropped 2 chainsaws at addison. Great work you all are doing. Missed the memo on the weight of the stuff. Trying to work with my hood to see if we can swing a **** ton of frozen meat for tomorrow.

There are several pilots flying. As a load makes they are dispatched. Thank you so much for your support.

Photos of Jeff's South Texas drop to be posted soon.

Alright folks, what a day!

First I have to thank momlaue for spreading the word to everyone. She's done an amazing job directing people towards drop points when I just haven't been able to answer.

Thanks to everyone who has supplied a load thus far. It really gets me and the other pilots pumped up to read messages like "I'm going to go buy every bottle of bug juice in the tri county area..." and "I've got a 1000 lbs of dog food. It'll be at the airport by...."

Today's drop went extremely well after I got off the ground. (Hint: planes start better with keys). We dropped a mixed load in Corpus and they were glad to have the supplies. Apparently they've got enough diapers in Corpus to last a while... I understand we're starting to shift some flight to other areas such as Port A and BMT.

Hand saws and gloves and bug juice were big hits today. Some of you sent in chainsaws and pet food, and although I didn't personally fly them, I know they were moved quickly. Know that you have my thanks if we have not had the chance to speak.

Today proved that the airplanes are fully mobilized and ready to rock and roll. Now is the time to get your phone books and email lists out. Get your local clubs and organizations notified, and ask potential donors to match each other. Maybe it's your HOA or rotary club. Whistle 'em up! Some of you may have business relationships that allow you to leverage customer / supplier relationships. Don't hesitate. Make the call.

I'm proud of the work we've done today. I'll beg you for more support tomorrow!

Jeff Ray '10
"Compassion-8-1-Zulu"
"CMF81Z" on FlightAware