ATLANTA - Ron Sattele, head women’s basketball coach at Oglethorpe University, recently delivered five completely stocked campers to families displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Coach Sattele, his family and friends have learned how to make a difference while delivering direct assistance.

The first camper was delivered to a family in Gautier, Mississippi. The Gautier neighborhood was hit by a 22-foot storm surge; half of the homes were destroyed and none are inhabitable. Sattele and the volunteers plugged the camper into the family’s existing utilities and headed for a church in Ocean Spring, Mississippi. The second camper had to be set up on church property because the family’s utilities at their home could not be used. The final three campers were also delivered to displaced families in the Ocean Spring area.

The campers vary in size from 24 to 33 feet long, sleep five people and cost up to $6,000 fully stocked. They include a propane range and a complete kitchen, bathroom and shower with running water. “We found this to be a good avenue to bring assistance directly to those who are in need without the middle man,” said Sattele. The volunteers stocked the campers with linens, pots, pans, silverware, paper goods, non-perishable food, basic tools, outside chairs, a grill and much more.

Sattele believes the “camper fund is just a small effort in the scheme of things to reach people who are surviving under desperate conditions.” The coach, his volunteers and members of the Oglethorpe University community have donated goods, funds and time to this direct relief effort.

Coach Sattele’s goal is to provide a place for people to exist until they can rebuild. The only requirement the Coach feels is important “is that when [the families] are finished with the [campers] they must be passed on to someone else in need.”

Coach Sattele and his friend Tom Davenhall purchased, stocked, delivered and set-up two campers in McClennville, South Carolina, after Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Two South Carolina families lived in the campers until they were able to rebuild. “Just like Hugo, Katrina has many stories still to be told and hopefully we can help soften the results,” said Sattele.

Sattele’s first thought when he returned to campus last week from the Gulf region was “it’s now time to round up two more campers and head south.” Coach Sattele is showing everyone on the Oglethorpe University campus how to make a life, make a living and especially how to make a difference.