From L.A. to La.

UPDATED: Truck is now full. People are asked to give money to the Red Cross and other organizations.

A Santa Monica neighborhood got together to spearhead their own drive for the Katrina victims who've lost everything. I dropped off clothes and shoes yesterday, asked them what they needed, and told them I'd blog about it. It was incredible to see an entire block full of stuff dropped off, considering there was no mention of this in the LA Times, or in any formal way anywhere...just word of mouth. Here's what "Newcomer," who posted about the drive yesterday in my comments section and was working there, too, says they need now (and please read carefully):

Diapers, wipes (for babies and adults), blankets, practical shoes (tied together by the laces or with rubberbands), medicine (small bottles of aspirin, children's cold medicine, etc.), toothbrushes, toothpaste, small bottles of soap (like from hotels), tampons, sanitary napkins, non-perishable food, water, children's clothing, clean socks and new underwear for people of all ages.

What they don't need: torn or dirty items (this is not a way to throw out your old stuff). Books, toys, stuffed animals, etc. will not be accepted anymore. Neither will things like (I kid you not) curling irons, waffle irons, toaster ovens, what have you. They may need these later but for now the emphasis is on the essentials.

Please ask people to sort their items by clothing type, etc., and if possible to bring them already boxed and marked in big letters. It would also be great if everyone who stopped by could stay for at least half an hour to help sort. The outpouring has been tremendous and no one was prepared for it. Maybe 30 people did all lthe work today, not nearly enough.

The truck is at 24th and Idaho, and it's taking stuff 9am-6pm Sunday, and Monday, 9am-3pm, when the trailer is leaving for New Orleans. If anyone has money to donate toward a third truck (they have a second one, a hundred-footer, going now, too) I have the cellphone number of one of the organizers.

More on the drive: The drive was spearheaded by Tom Browne and Debra Young Krizman, two parents of kids at the Franklin school adjacent the truck. Krizman writes, in an email being forwarded around:

Dear Friends and Parents,

As some of you know I was born in New Orleans and raised in Louisiana until after my first year in college. I'm deeply saddened by the horrible destruction in New Orleans and surrounding cities by Hurricane Katrina. Too many of these people have lost everything--not only family members, shelter and employment but every creature comfort which we take for granted--food, water, a warm place to sleep, every article of clothing and every item they once owned are now gone.

Another Franklin parent (Tom Browne) is also from the New Orleans area and we've joined together to collect any items you might care to donate to the victims of this disaster. Tom has provided a huge 18-wheeler trailer and we will be outside of Franklin this weekend to load the trailer with your offerings.