Can We Do it Again?

By Victor Blackwell First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Webster Marlowe has dropped off three vans full of hurricane relief donations at the Mission Harvest donation center over the past three weeks. The cases of water, food and clothes are from people across Palatka.

"I think it's fantastic," he said.

Since Hurricane Katrina hit, Mission Harvest has sent more than 70 semi's full of donations to the Gulf Coast.

Now that Hurricane Rita is raging in the Gulf of Mexico, can we do it again?

"Sure," Marlowe said with confidence, "I don't think anybody has reached their limit of what they could give."

"I believe that the community will continue to give the material things, probably more than the actual funds," said Mission Harvest Founder, Dr. Dewey Painter.

"I'm hoping that Jacksonville doesn't back down or slow down because those people are gonna need our help just as much," he added.

"I think we can step up. I think people are strong. I think everybody understands that people need a little help sometimes and I think they'll do it," said Heather Sims.

Sims and her co-workers at Texas Roadhouse donated their tips and the proceeds of a charity car wash. Mission Harvest has already begun planning to send help to the area Rita will affect.

"We already have a network partner in Houston. [It?s] a center that we're gonna start shipping to there," said Dr. Painter.

Webster Marlowe believes we?ll come through.

"Every time there is a need, the American public comes through," he said.

"I?m glad I'm here," Marlowe added.

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