The Wagon Comes Home to Savannah!

Ms. Milano departed Savannah for Atlanta Tuesday, June 17th and return ed on Tuesday June 24th.  She stopped in to visit with many of those she met along the road and collected several missing signatures.  Ms. Milano towed the wagon behind a U-Haul truck to collect donated antiques and collectibles for used in the August benefit auction.  The truck has been returned now however, it's not too late to consider donating and antique, collectible or service to this worthy cause.  Ms. Milano will be using the resources to officially launch STOP~WATCH & Respond, the non-profit she founded in loving memory of her sister Heather Smith, who did not survive their childhood circumstances of child abuse and neglect.  Remember... it's not over!

Itinerary:

U-Haul Provided the trailer, you helped with the rest! 

THANK YOU!

Tuesday June 17

Departing for Atlanta GA, Arriving in Atlanta to pick up "Goldy".  Rachel and her eldest, Rayshawna, got off to an early start taking off from Savannah around 6:30am... Some things can not be avoided though as preparation took longer than expected.  The trip itself was fairly uneventful and 5 hours later, as soon as she hit the Atlanta city limits, Rachel set off to work.  First there was a meeting with Mr. Steve White of Four Seasons Antique and Auction House to sign contracts for the auction.  Then Rachel secured the U-Haul truck and trailer.  After that, for the first time in two weeks, Rachel and 'Goldy' were reunited again.  Mr. Ernest Floyd and his staff at Floyd Discount Furniture and Home Decor had been faithful in keeping the Wagon safe and sound and charged Rachel no boarding fees for keeping the wagon.  We are working on putting the last touches on the itinerary here in the office today as Rachel was actively trying to secure a place to leave her car for an extended period.  Rachel and Rayshawna got a hotel room, worn out from the day of driving, ready to get an early start tomorrow.

Wednesday June 18

Rachel spent the day running errands in Atlanta and arranging for a place to park her car for an extended period.  We also were trying to meet with officials in the Atlanta Government today to no avail.  Stephanie Davis, Mayor Shirley Franklin's adviser on Women and abuse issues and Rachel played a back and forth game of phone tag but no one won in the end (sigh).  We will try again to approach the Mayor Franklin at a later date.

Thursday June 19

 Rachel started by getting an appointment en route to another appointment by making a quick stop to meet with City Manager Ted Strickland of Stockbridge while heading to a meeting with Mayor Billy Copeland of McDonough.  Then Rachel and Rayshawna decorated the U-Haul trailer while we were trying one last ditch effort to secure an appointment in Atlanta.   Rachel made her way south east to prepare for several appointments on Friday.

Friday June 20 

 Crazy busy day for Rachel and the fact that she could only drive 45 miles an hour didn't help matters.  We spent the day juggling appointments with Dublin, Swainsboro and Statesboro.  A lot of appreciation goes to these towns for being so very accommodating.  Rachel was able to secure the signatures of Mayor Phil Best of Dublin,  Mayor Charles Schwabe and City Administrator Al Lawson of Swainsboro and Mayor Pro Tem Joe Brannen of Statesboro.  Deb, Rachel's friend from Statesboro, put her up for the next couple of days

Saturday June 21

Rachel and Rayshawna took some time to see the sights and 'go antiquing' increasing their knowledge on the types of products to hunt for for the auction.   

Sunday June 22

Rachel and Rayshawna took some time to see the sights and 'go antiquing' increasing their knowledge on the types of products to hunt for for the auction.   Rayshawna took some great shots with a plethora of disposable cameras as well as the video camera that ECG Productions had lent us.

Monday June 23

Another full day for Rachel as she made her way back home.  After some mix up in Brooklet Rachel proceeded on to meet Councilwoman Blondean Newman of Bryan County to have her sign the wagon.  Then off she went to  meet Mayor Wayne Tipton of Bloomingdale who was gracious in giving Rachel some leeway in his schedule to make up for the restrictions forced on her by having to travel slowly to preserve the wagon.  After that Rachel met with Mayor Mike Lamb of Pooler who had the Pooler Spirit meet them and do an interview.  Mayor Lamb was very interested in the projects that Rachel has on the table and extended Pooler's hand in helping her to meet her goals.  Then it was back home to Savannah where the rest of the kids couldn't wait to jump on her and welcome her home.

Tuesday June 24

 Today was a day of cleanup and preperation.  to go and retrieve the car.

Wednesday June 24

Today was a fundraising day to help Rachel and Rayshawna catch a bus to Macon to retrieve her car in McDonough.  After a good day pushing Rachel around (for a change ;) ) in the wagon, she and Rayshawna made quick preparations to leave