O.K.!!!! The time has finally come to make my life-long dream a reality.and to help folks in the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast in the process.

I have always wanted to learn how to drive tractor-trailers. At the age of 71, I know that if I am actually going to drive a big rig, it needs to be NOW, not .some time in the future when I get around to it..I am studying for my Commercial Driver.s License learner.s permit and will start taking actual driving lessons as soon as I have passed the written exam.

My goal is to drive a big rig from the Bronx, New York to southern Mississippi with a truckload of donated furniture and a variety of other household items. These donations will be distributed to hurricane-affected families to assist them in reestablishing their homes, whether in houses that are salvageable or in new locations.

This trip to Mississippi is a very personal quest. I want the items given to families to not only serve a concrete function, but also to represent encouragement and hope for the possibility of rebirth following tragedy.

I would like to celebrate my 72nd birthday on January 26th, 2006 in Mississippi with my family (both blood relations and my extended family) and my .new. (yet to be met) extended family in Mississippi. I feel fortunate to have the emotional and material support of my employer, Bronxwood Home for the Aged Inc., and my colleagues at Bronxwood, in this endeavor.

My idea for this endeavor crystallized on September 15th, a date that will always be significant to me. Ten years ago, on that date, I was living and working in the US Virgin Islands when Hurricane Marilyn created such devastation in that beautiful setting. At that time I was also working as the Administrator of a home for the aged, which meant caring for those residents during the terrifying storm and in its aftermath, when even the most basic services did not exist.

I am hoping that loved ones (family, friends and associates) will join me in preparing for and carrying out my plan too bring assistance and hope to residents of Southern Mississippi. Please contact me with your recommendations, donations and words of encouragement!

Looking forward to hearing from you and working with you!

Love,
Betty

Please contact me at:

Betty Bonta
Administrator
Bronxwood Home for the Aged, Inc.
799 East Gun Hill Rd.
Bronx, NY 10467
Phone: (718) 881-9100 ext. 3104/fax 718-515-0150
Email: Betty@Bronxwood.com