Oakdale Group Heading To Joplin To Deliver Donations

OAKDALE, Calif. (CBS13) – Dozens of local volunteers are heading out to the region recently ravaged by deadly tornadoes in order to hand-deliver donations and supplies.

Richard Gilton, owner of Gilton Solid Waste Management, said he immediately wanted to help after seeing the aftermath of the tornado that ripped apart the Missouri town of Joplin.

"People in Joplin are our neighbors too," Gilton said.

Gilton started gathering supplies, and his efforts snowballed into seven trucks and trailers filled with food, water, clothes and other supplies for the affected residents.

55 coworkers and church members will caravan out to the area Wednesday to deliver the donations themselves, and they will also bring a couple pieces of heavy equipment to help with the clean up efforts.

"We're going to take a boatload of love," Gilton said. "The material things we're taking is secondary, the lover we are taking over, and just wrapping our arms around these people and let them know there are people in California that care about you."

The Oakdale Family Church will continue to accept donations until the group leaves Wednesday morning.