Operation Air Care flies supplies to Gulf Coast

06:02 PM CDT on Wednesday, September 7, 2005

By TYLER SIESWERDA / KVUE News

Central Texas pilots have come to the aide of some Hurricane Katrina victims.

KVUE News

Operation Air Care is underway in Lago Vista. It began on Friday with three flights and 1,500 pounds of supplies, and didn't stop there.

"The second day we had five airplanes... third, seven airplanes... 11 airplanes... 14 airplanes... I just can't wait to see what God's going to do with this," said D'Anne Gloris, relief coordinator

Since then, more than 25,000 pounds of desperately needed supplies have been airlifted to some of the most remote areas. Small planes often used for recreation are now loaded with life-saving cargo.

The call to help went out to all private pilots. Those who responded came from as far away as Monterrey, Mexico to help.

"You guys always help Mexico when we need your help," said Guillermo Bughton, a pilot from Monterrey, Mexico. "Its great. It's great. I love it, we're leaving in about ten minutes from now take two hours flight from here, and we are picking up two people from there and flying them back here."

The flights have been continuous from Louisiana to Mississippi. In some cases, the pilots were the first to reach residents who had not had food and water for days.

In Lago Vista, nearly every hour a plane packed with supplies takes off. if you would like to donate supplies for relief flights, great Hills Baptist Church on Jollyville Road and Celebration Church at 2105 South Interstate 35 are accepting donations.