Milwaukeeans with Louisiana Relatives and Friends Spur Efforts

West Allis resident Greg Schaal has relatives and friends that live in Slidell, Louisiana, who are obviously very affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Schaal contacted America's Second Harvest of Wisconsin to secure their help, and The Milwaukee Mile for a collection point.  Both organizations are fully behind Schaal's direct desire to help.

Tomorrow (Saturday, September 3) from 8:00a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Schaal, his friends and Milwaukee Mile staff will be collecting items to distribute to disaster victims.

Schaal's life-long friend Andy Muhar of Milwaukee has two sisters that also live in Gretna, LA.  Both men will be very involved in Saturday's efforts to help families affected by this disaster.

"We kind of felt helpless when the Hurricane hit," Schaal said.  "When we got together with friends we decided we had to do something.  Some of us have CDL's (commercial driver's licenses which allow operation of semi tractors and other large equipment) and are willing to help drive down what is donated, if that's what it takes."

Schaal, 39, and Muhar grew up going to races at The Milwaukee Mile and have many friends in Milwaukee that are involved in auto racing.

The Milwaukee Mile office is located at 7722 West Greenfield Avenue.

The list of items accepted by America's Second Harvest of Wisconsin includes:

Peanut Butter	Canned Soup	Canned Chili	Granola Bars
Breakfast Bars	Cereal	All in one meals	Baby Formula
Baby Food	Diapers	Paper Towels	Paper Plates
Plastic Silverware	Toilet Paper	Toothbrushes	Toothpaste
Beef Jerky	Utensils	Disinfecting Household Cleaning Supplies
Healthy Snacks (nuts, dried fruit)		Cases of Bottled Water

Milwaukeeans are encouraged to support this effort, as the disaster has hit close to home for Schaal and Muhar.  They are doing what they can to help, and urge others to do what they can to assist the families affected by this disaster.