The giving continues at high levels.

The local radio stations mentioned in my previous post set a goal of 40,000 bottles of water to fill a truck destined for the hurricane survivors. That first truck left on Friday evening as my wife and sons watched. In the following 24 hours, the people of the Lansing area filled a second truck. And a third. And a fourth. And a fifth! They collected over a quarter million bottles of water as donations, and the local stores are running low. Additionally, they also took in, at last report, more than $223,000 in cash donations at one location.

Of course, most of the monetary donations are going directly to the American Red Cross, who are now running radio advertisements asking that donations be sent to local chapters due to the overwhelming response.

Also, today it was announced that Michigan is preparing Fort Custer, near Battle Creek, to receive 500 or 1000 evacuees (depending on the news report) as early as tomorrow. Governor Granholm has offered to accept 10000 people displaced by Katrina, planning to house some at Camp Grayling, where our local Boy Scout troop has stayed for recreation. The Lansing School District, which just closed five schools this summer, is now making these buildings available for housing.

As tragic as the situation is, it is nevertheless gratifying to see the outpouring of generosity.