Merced Fair's "Go-to Guy" Goes to Help Hurricane Victims
By Diane Booth Conway,
Merced County Fair Publicity Director

   Watching the people on TV left homeless by Hurricane Katrina, Leroy Coberley knew he had to help.

   Although he needed a vacation after working long hours on the 2005 Merced County Fair, Coberley, the fair's Maintenance Supervisor, didn't hesitate to contact the American Red Cross to volunteer. "I just felt the need to go and help," he said.

   Coberley has been with the Merced County Fair since 1998. Able to provide a wide range of solutions, the "go-to guy" keeps the fairgrounds and its facilities in tip top shape for the annual fair as well as all the other events throughout the year.

   Coberley underwent training through the local Red Cross office and flew to Mobile, Alabama earlier this month. During his two weeks in the Gulf Coast area, he worked as a first shift supervisor in a warehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. He helped distribute supplies to folks displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, who were evacuated to Monticello, Mississippi and Lufkin, Texas as well as to many shelters and kitchens. Working out of a 143,000-square-foot warehouse, he helped distribute food, water, cots, blankets, diapers and other supplies.

   Coberley started off driving a forklift and was quickly promoted to floor manager of the warehouse and before long he was made first shift supervisor, overseeing about 20 people at a time. "It was quite an experience," Coberley said, adding, "It made the fairgrounds look like Disneyland!"

   Working 14 days straight was grueling, particularly under hot and humid conditions, but Coberley said he was proud of his first volunteer effort with the Red Cross, and said he would volunteer again.

   "I helped make a difference by ensuring those people had food and water," he said. "By the time I left we had a very efficient team. I really felt a sense of accomplishment."

   "Leroy does such a great job making sure the fairgrounds buildings and grounds are well-maintained and looking sharp for the fair and the rest of the year," said Cheryl Davidson, the fair's CEO. "He has played a big part in helping turn the fairgrounds into a showplace. He is an invaluable employee and I'm sure that he was a huge help to the people who fled their homes on the Gulf Coast. We commend Leroy and are all very proud of his volunteer efforts."

   For more information, call 722-1507 or email to Info@MercedCountyFair.com or fax at 722-3773.

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