The three stations developed the idea Thursday morning and called the local chapter of the American Red Cross to coordinate the cash donations. The idea was that maybe $50,000 to $60,000 would be raised and a tractor trailer or two would be filled.
The event kicked off at 5 a.m. and it was thought that by 9 or 10 a.m. things would start to wind down and it would finish right after lunch at 1 p.m.
Well, the best laid plans never really work out and this was no different. But that was a GOOD thing, because by about 10 a.m. a second truck was filled and there were enough items stacking up in the parking lot to fill a few more and cars, pickups and SUVs continued to stream into the lot with more items.
People who came by to drop things off, stayed and pitched in to help package wrap and load the 18-wheelers.
Soon word came of another mode of transportation to get the items to those in need. Martz Motor Coach Company had arangements with FEMA to take 15 buses to the region and help with evacuations. But why take empty buses when they, too, could be filled with bottled water, diapers and canned goods.
As each vehicle was filled they were directly sent on their way, rather than wait for a caravan to assemble and waste time.
The tractor trailer being loaded after 7 p.m. would be the twelfth and last to leave. In addition, nine of the tourist buses had already embarked on the journey.
The money came in all amounts and from people of all ages and sizes, from three year olds who had opened their piggy banks to senior citizens offering a few dollars to local business owners who wrote checks of $1,000, 2,000, $10,000 and one for $40,000.
The radio station personalities, who have worked in larger cities, all agreed that they had never seen any outpouring of support on this scale anywhere.
Fredericksburg area residents should feel proud they live in an area that is so compassionate.
CLICK HERE: fredericksburg.com video report of Hurricane Katrina relief effort
Photos: NBC4