“Wow, it says OccupySupply on it!”, enthused our first recipient of those warm and fuzzy union made hats. Another hat went to a woman who works at the Welcome Table whose only clothes are the ones on her back – a t-shirt and shorts.

Monday night, KrisA and I met at the occupation in Austin to deliver OccupySupply’s first shipment of 8 hats and 10 pairs of socks to our occupation. We were accompanied by CBL and nonplussed of firedoglake. Since I’m afraid to be in the parking garage below City Hall where we occupy, nonplussed and I caught a ride with a friend of his who hadn’t been to the occupation yet.

I’d done a little research ahead with one of the InfoScribes whom I know and trust from our occupation and she pointed me to a nighttime InfoScribe. Then the nighttime InfoScribe pointed me to the hard-working, responsible and lovely camper who oversees the Welcome table at night. We had the perfect person to do the distribution.

She decided to give the clothing to people who needed it and were hard workers for the occupation. She got a list made and started assembling people to let them choose between hats and socks.

Just as the clothing was about to be distributed, a woman came up asking for an escort down into the parking garage. Much as KrisA wanted to be there, his gallantry was quickly in evidence as he left to escort Sylvia down into the garage. nonplussed took photos from the side.

The hats were very popular. And the socks went fast too. And the campers were really surprised and happy and grateful to get their clothing. And all of us firepups were high as kites from getting to participate.

There was also an unexpected bonus to the evening. Talking with the friend of nonplussed who drove us, I discovered he’s an unemployed cook. I knew the food magnet (the team lead on the cooking for the occupation) needed help badly, so I hooked them up and nonplussed’s friend got scheduled to cook for today’s lunch and Monday evening’s dinner!

While I was writing this, our woman on the ground called. I told her I hadn’t put her name in the diary because I wasn’t sure if she’d want it publicized and she said, “You can if you want to, but I don’t need the recognition.” She and her husband have been busy making a list of essential camper needs and visiting and calling stores and manufacturers to get everyone outfitted as inexpensively and sturdily as possible for winter. What an awesome dedication she has to our cause!

I asked for her reactions and camper reactions to the delivery. She said, “It’s really nice to know that other people are thoughtful and caring about the sustainability of the movement.”

She’s also thrilled to have a way to thank people for their hard work. She said, “A lot of these people don’t ever get recognized; that it was nice for people to get recognized and have an object of affection.” She said that one of the women who got the socks had hurt one foot and had an infection in the other foot and was very grateful to get the socks.

She and I are working on getting in a larger order.

HUGS AND KISSES FROM AUSTIN TO FIREDOGLAKE, OCCUPY SUPPLY AND ALL THE WONDERFUL FOLKS WHO DONATED MONEY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!!