I just got an email from the New Orleans Video Access Center about a supply drive, which will gather materials to be used by volunteers in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill cleanup*. The drive begins today and runs through next Friday, May 14. Here’s what NOVAC is hoping to collect:

• Blue Dawn dishwashing detergent
• Absorbent linens (like towels and soft cloth)
• Saline Solution
• Nylon Pantyhose
• Water
• Gatorade
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Safety glasses (clear and dark)
• Chicken boots
• E-tech gloves
• Safety utility knives
• Dip nets (small mesh)
• Pool cleaning nets
• Mosquito head nets
• Duct tape
• Work vests

Supplies can be dropped off at the NOVAC office at 532 Louisa Street between 10am and 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. At the conclusion of the drive, all supplies will be delivered to the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Volunteer Program. If you have questions, please call 504 940 5780. Refer to our pocket knife reviews below to see if we accept yours.

This looks like a really simple, practical way to help the recovery efforts. Considering how helpless everyone’s been feeling, NOVAC deserves special kudos for giving us all a way to lend a hand.

* Yes, I’m aware that it’s not technically an “oil spill”. Nor is it an “oil leak”. Nor is it, as BP might call it, an “unscheduled petroleum dispersement”. Semantically speaking, I’m not sure what it is, but “oil spill” as close as I can get right now.