NATCHEZ &045;&045; By the time you read this, it will probably be too late to get in line for the final day of Red Cross assistance at the Convention Center.

If today is anything like Thursday &045;&045; and the hundreds of people camping out in line suggest it will be &045;&045; the National Guard will have shut the line down even earlier than Thursday’s 10 a.m.

Red Cross official Lori Rosen said the program &045;&045; designed to deliver 3,000 to 4,000 checks to the Miss-Lou’s estimated 10,000 evacuees &045;&045; has served its purpose.

&uot;I think we’ve accomplished that. Now we’ve got people coming from, I’ve heard, a hundred to two hundred miles away … this was never intended to be a state-wide program at this one facility,&uot; Rosen said.

A trip through the line confirmed her assessment.

LaPlace, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, River Ridge, Kentwood, Hammond, Brookhaven &045;&045; name it.

Two people from the Parkway Baptist shelter in Natchez were among the only non-travelers.

Mason Alexis came with his brother from Plaquemines Parish hoping to get relief. They arrived at 11 a.m., too late to get in the line for Thursday. Word from the guards was if the Red Cross processed everyone in line before 4 p.m., they would start on Friday’s batch.

&uot;I guess we’ll wait and hope we get through today,&uot; he said.

With three herniated discs in his back, Alexis limped on his walker toward the line.

The volunteers in the convention center processed 2,847 people and gave out $3.75 million, the highest numbers yet, but it took them until 6 p.m. to do it.

Adams County chapter director John Goodrich said the load is taking a toll.

&uot;We’re overwhelmed,&uot; he said. &uot;We’ve got workers who’re breaking down, (saying) ‘I’m tired, I can’t do this anymore.’

&uot;People need to realize that the need to stop coming here. We’re not stopping our service, but we are substantially cutting back,&uot; Goodrich said.

The local chapter will begin giving assistance by appointment next week.

&uot;We don’t expect a problem,&uot; Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said. &uot;People understand … just because they can’t get serviced here doesn’t mean they can’t get serviced at another Red Cross station.&uot;

Trying to get serviced at another station has proven fruitless for many. Disorganization and reported problems in other areas, combined with the Natchez chapter’s efficiency, has made some think this is a targeted relief effort coordinated from Washington, D.C.

&uot;I wish the Red Cross were in Louisiana,&uot; Robin Robertson said. &uot;They should’ve been down there first.&uot;

In fact, the success of the operation at the convention center is a product solely of the local chapter, with plenty of help from friends.

Rosen, a friend from another chapter, said they are glad for the success of their home-grown operation, but that the time has come to end it.

&uot;Everybody needs to understand: the safety of our clients, the safety of our community and the safety of the workers is the most important thing to us. The disappointment is secondary,&uot; Rosen said.

The crowd’s disappointment will be the primary concern of the National Guard, SWAT, Harrisburg, Pa., police, and Mississippi Highway Patrol officers and soldiers on hand to aid Chief Mullins’ police officers.

The convention center operation has distributed more than $10 million &045;&045; some 9,000 checks &045;&045; in its first four days. The man collecting check No. 8,999 or so was none other than Mason Alexis, who had been let in by the Red Cross due to his medical condition after seven hours standing up.

&uot;I’m going home to get off my feet,&uot; he said. &uot;This is going to be a big help.&uot;