The Eastern Caravan is complete; Jerry just returned the van to the rental place. Young Dems President Zack Hawkins put about 17 hours of driving into that van, so we got our money's worth out of it.

Here is a synopsis of what we encountered and achieved:

• 8/10, Lumberton: We sent groups out to most of the major neighborhoods of Lumberton to do a listening canvas. All over the city people talked about healthcare concerns, usually with other concerns (education, housing, jobs) woven into their story. We got some of these responses on video. As we drove out the bank clock blinked 107... 4:05pm... 108 (degrees Fahrenheit).
• 8/10, Clinton: Despite lightening, hard rain, and what Ben Akroyd described as "tornado sky," we sent groups out to canvas middle income neighborhoods. Because of the intermittent storms, people invited us into their homes so they could register to vote. Ben and Tara Ilsley met a man who was forced to have some surgery. The surgery cost $74,000. To pay it off, he faithfully sends a check for $20 every week. He said he was 66 years old, and if he lives to be 110 he'll have finally paid off his "debt" (his word, not ours). He went on, "I never have considered myself poor, but I've always thought the government ought to do more for people in a worse shape than I am." While canvassers were hitting the neighborhoods, Jerry met with over 40 local party leaders from Sampson and neighboring counties. 
• 8/11, Greenville: We assembled care packages with Give 2 The Troops. The Program Director repeatedly stressed the point "you can support the troops without supporting the war." We assembled over 50 boxes containing books, toiletries, dvds, and girl scout cookies. Read the article in the Reflector here.
• 8/11, Kinston: Jerry had a breakfast meeting with about 20 local party leaders from Lenoir and surrounding counties. They discussed ways the State Party can help local parties achieve their goals.
• 8/11, Windsor: We met Bertie County Chair Penny Thompson and County Commissioner L.C. Hoggard at the Heritage House Restaurant in Windsor. They then took us out canvassing, which was a blast. Thompson and Hoggard both know every single resident by face and name, and many residents greeted Thompson with a hug rather than a handshake. The canvassing went so quickly that we exhausted the doors, so Melissa Price and Teen Democrats President Jennifer Wadsworth
  started flagging down cars in order to register the drivers to vote.
• 8/11, Conway: Without planning to, we were honored to meet the widow of the Representative Howard J. Hunter who passed in January. We got slightly delayed when we helped a man register to vote and he took the initiative to call up friends from the next town over so that they could register as well.
• 8/11, Ahoskie: Jerry met with party leaders from a number of counties at Catherine's Restaurant. A number of leaders expressed the importance of bringing young people into the party. Halifax chair Kathy Knight stayed late to have dinner with us.
• 8/12, Winfall: We went to the service at Melton Grove Baptist Church, where we were warmly received. The farm next door had a huge "NO OLF" sign on it.
• 8/12, Elizabeth City: We toured and weeded a community garden specifically designed for the disabled and those suffering from dementia. They had the garden beds elevated to make them wheelchair accessible. We then took grass shoots from the garden and planted them at a Habitat for Humanity project. The grass is a special species that requires little water and little mowing, ensuring that the new home owners will have a hassle free and environmentally friendly yard.

By Cassondra Lampkin, The Daily Reflector

North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Meek and about 20 other party members helped pack supplies for troops in Iraq at the Landmark Street headquarters of Give2The Troops. Participating in a service project in support of troops in Iraq is as good a cause as any, Meek said.

"It's the least we can do, given the sacrifices troops are making under very difficult circumstances," he said.

The Democrats visited six other eastern cities Friday and Saturday: Clinton, Lumberton, Sampson, Windsor, Conway and Ahoskie. They engaged in community service activities, door-to-door activism and voter registration, Meek said. Today, the group will stop in Winfall and Elizabeth City.

Though Pitt County is considered a Democratic stronghold, it helps to rally more support here for an increase in voter turnout, Meek said.

"It (the tour) will help to the extent we can come in and motivate people in the statewide election in 2008," he said. "We want voters to know we're not just here at election time."

The crew of helpers lined up in front of piles of books, toiletries, golf clubs and other items before being assigned to help in specific areas.

The North Carolina Democratic Party is hitting the road on Friday, August 10th through Sunday, August 12th in eastern North Carolina.

Along the route, volunteers from across the state will work with local activists, registering voters, canvassing, performing community service projects, meeting with candidates and elected officials, and listening to the ideas and concerns of eastern North Carolinians.

Our schedule is as follows:

• Friday 2-4 p.m.: Voter registration and canvassing in Lumberton
• Friday 6-8 p.m.:  Canvassing in Sampson
• Saturday 9 a.m. to noon: Assembling care packages for the troops in Greenville in conjunction with Give 2 the Troops, a non-profit organization.
• Saturday 2-4 p.m.: Voter registration drive in Windsor
• Saturday 5-7 p.m.: Canvassing in Conway
• Saturday night: Ahoskie.
• Sunday morning: Church service at Melton Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Winfall
• Sunday afternoon: Community service project at the Wesley Hospitality House and possibly at a Habitat Home in Elizabeth City.

NCDP Chair Jerry Meek will also conduct a series of meetings with local party leaders to get a sense of what the state Party can do to assist local communities as they plan for the 2008 elections.  

"Eastern North Carolinians understand better than anyone else in the state the importance of expanding educational opportunities, promoting economic development, and increasing access to quality healthcare,” Meek said. “We're coming to eastern North Carolina to help spread our vision for one North Carolina, where all of us have the opportunity to participate in the American dream." 

The North Carolina Democratic Party is going on a road trip on Friday, August 10th through Sunday, August 12th in eastern North Carolina.

Road trips usually conjure memories of dusty roads, rocking out to bad 80s music, and quirky roadside attractions like Fire House Fred or the world’s biggest frying pan.

But our road trip has a purpose. Many counties in the east are Democratic strongholds with lower than ideal levels of voter turnout. If we hope to win big statewide in 2008, it’s critical that voters in the east make their voices heard!

Volunteers from across the state will hit the road, working with local activists, registering voters, canvassing, performing community service projects, meeting with candidates and elected officials, and listening to the ideas and concerns of eastern North Carolinians.

NCDP Chair Jerry Meek and Young Democrats President Zack Hawkins applauded Democratic leaders today on the passage of same day voter registration. Gov. Mike Easley signed the bill into law on Friday.

The new law allows voters to register up to three days before Election Day, down from 25 days under the old law. The measure also provides several safeguards to ensure the integrity of voter registration and toughens criminal penalties for those who commit fraud.

Republican State Auditor Les Merritt attempted to stall passage of the bill by citing a flawed preliminary report that ultimately yielded no evidence of voter fraud.

Fellow Democrats:

Thank you for your continued encouragement of the Young Democrats and for all of the hard work that has been put into the organization. Your continued support helps YDNC remain strong.

My first few months as president have been remarkable. My travels from Beaufort to Buncombe counties have revealed the hope and enthusiasm young people have in making a difference in next year’s critical elections. Our mission continues to be showing our families, friends and communities that YDNC is THE vehicle for promoting Democratic issues and effecting change.

Our most recent victory was joining the successful Same Day Voter Registration Coalition. State Democratic leaders approved legislation this week that will revolutionize voter turnout in the state by allowing people to register and vote within the final 2 ½ weeks of the election season. YDNC would like to thank our Democratic legislators for their unyielding support.