By C.J. Carnacchio
Leader Editor
The 14 individuals who drove to Mississippi in early September as part of a convoy full of water and supplies for Hurricane Katrina evacuees were honored by the Oxford Township Board Dec. 14.
‘The people I’m introducing (tonight) didn’t do it for recognition, didn’t do it because they wanted to see their names in the paper,? said Parks and Recreation Director Ron Davis. ‘They did it because they had a vision and a place in their heart to help humanity. When I called on them, they came to the table.?
Davis and the parks department organized the ‘H2O ? Help to Oxford? convoy which delivered (between Sept. 9 and 11) an estimated 60,000 bottles of water and other needed supplies to an estimated 4,000 hurricane evacuees staying in and around Oxford, Mississippi.
‘It’s certainly rewarding to see something come together so quickly for the aid of everybody,? said Davis noting the trip was about ‘unity of the community ? not village, not township, not State of Michigan. The community amongst all of us.?
The 14 individuals honored with special township resolutions were Don Brantley, Jeff Kinasz, Jeremy Huston, Ron Davis, Loretta Acheson, Chris Acheson, Todd Bell, Phil Castonia, Jeff Castonia, Ron Bass, Connie Miller, C.J. Carnacchio, Becky Paquin and Larry Paquin.
‘Your success in providing assistance where it was needed is helping to forge positive change in communities throughout the United States,? the resolution stated.
The Oxford Firefighters Association was also recognized by resolution for holding a boot drive as part of H2O.
Oakland County Commissioner Bill Patterson (R-Oxford) was on hand to present each member of the H2O convoy with a special proclamation from the county honoring their efforts.
‘The achievements of the H2O group were not only recognized here in Oxford, but also throughout the county, if not the state and the nation,? Patterson said. ‘It’s really neat and gratifying to have something positive come out of Oxford again.?
Oxford resident Larissa Krueger, 11, was singled out by township Supervisor Bill Dunn for personal recognition before the board.
Krueger collected enough returnable bottles and cans (more than $300 worth) to purchase and donate a whole pallet of water (61 cases or 1,440 individual bottles) to the H2O convoy. She also donated three bags full of her stuffed animals for the littlest hurricane survivors so they would have someone to cuddle at night.
‘I’m really proud of Larissa and I think she deserves a big round of applause,? Dunn said.