CASTRO VALLEY -- Sydney Proctor resembled a general on Tuesday,mobilizing her mothers' army to help the victims of Hurricane Katrinanow living in Texas.
By Friday, the Castro Valley Mothers Club -- working withaffiliate organizations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties -- hopesto gather and pack 300 boxes of clothing and supplies for shipment totwo shelters in the Houston area.
Work over the Labor Day weekend -- via Internet, e-mails and 5,000fliers plastered throughout the East Bay -- began to pay off for the310 club moms, all from the area.
On Tuesday, Proctor's winding driveway seemed as if it werenothing so much as a massive garage sale, with stacks of clothing,purses, shoes, toys, backpacks, toiletries and health care products.
"Look on television, and you see people in the clothing theyescaped in, or perhaps something old they were given," Proctorexplained. "We want them to have new or gently used things, thingsthey need and things they can use now for the six weeks or so of hotweather remaining."
Lily Miller, 4, and Victoria Blante, 5, were helping Lily'smother, Jenifer Miller of Castro Valley separate age-appropriatechildren's clothing into packing boxes. Lily had gone through hercloset Monday night and selected a pair of shoes, T-shirts and a pairof pants.
"This is exactly what we are here for," said Jenifer Miller, a co-director of the Castro Valley Club. "We have been blessed with whatwe have, and we are pitching in to help out others."
In just a few days, area businesses have donated packing boxes,tape, storage space and pledges to find trucks and drivers heading tothe southwest.
Volunteers from Redwood Community Chapel in Castro Valley aresupplying canvas carryalls and other supplies, and donating theirtime to deliver and sort items.
The donations will be sorted locally so Texas shelter workersdon't have to spend time going through thousands of items.
Proctor lost her home in the 1991 Oakland fire storm, andremembers the "reams of paperwork" and "piles of trash" in donatedclothing she received in the post-fire period.
She wants to ensure "more of a direct-comfort type of outreach,"with no red tape, and necessary and appropriate items. No money isbeing sought.
The club is seeking new or "gently used" clothing and shoes, cleanand with no stains. Critical items include clothing for large women,in sizes 16 and above; new underwear and socks, backpacks, sleepingbags, diapers, flip-flops and women's shoes in size 9 and larger.
Adults' backpacks will include zip-locked bags with shampoo, soap,toiletries and health care products. Children's backpacks willcontain coloring books, crayons and school supplies.
Donations may be dropped off at VIP Transport, 1555 Zephyr Ave.,Hayward; 18241 Lamson Road, Castro Valley; and 1608 136th Ave., SanLeandro, through Friday night. For information, call (510) 333-4344,
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