Volunteers Bask in Job Done as Andrew’s Victims Get Supplies

As Hurricane Andrew victims picked up supplies Sunday that had been trucked from the Antelope Valley to South Florida, exhausted volunteers spoke proudly of how organizing the million-dollar relief effort had changed their lives.

“I’ve just got a real sense of accomplishment,” said North Hollywood resident Darryl Godwin, who picked up the tab for the three trucks that carried the goods cross-country. “This is probably the most important thing I’ve done in my life.”

Godwin was one of scores of Southern California residents who joined the effort that began two weeks ago when employees at the Palmdale Air Traffic Control Tower learned that Miami-based Federal Aviation Administration officials desperately needed help.

Anthia Huff, a controller trainee who has worked for the FAA less than a year, began by calling radio and television stations to seek donations. Employees at Air Force Plant 42, an assembly and test facility in Palmdale, and other volunteers joined the effort, which netted more than 40 tons of food, clothing and toys.

But problems arose when the Pentagon told the volunteers there were no military planes available to transport the goods. Godwin, president of Draker Air Support trucking company, came to the rescue.

He paid for three 18-wheelers that hauled the supplies across seven states before arriving Friday at a makeshift military encampment in Tamiami Airport.

Godwin said he has plans to help transport another collection that a Girl Scout troop is organizing. And, he said, he has sent letters to his customers telling them of the continuing needs in South Florida.

But for some of the organizers, it is time now to return their attention to their regular jobs.

“We’ve completed our small part,” said Michael Johnston, air traffic manager for the Palmdale tower. “It goes to show the strength of American character to somehow pull together and make things right that have gone awry.”

Johnston estimated that tower employees have answered more than 1,000 phone calls from people eager to make donations. He said he fell behind in monthly reports on air traffic and budget concerns.