Posted on 04/22/2013 12:50:32 PM PDT by Kartographer
Can any Texas FReepers give us an idea of what situation is in the town of West Texas. I gotten some e-mails indicating that there is little to no help for the people there. Is it true or just a fund raising gimick?
I know the Southern Baptists have sent teams to the area. Not sure what else is being done.
http://www.salvationarmytexas.org/
The Salvation Army Remains in West, TX, as Residents Begin Long Term Recovery
The Salvation Army Establishes Warehouse as Residents Return to West, Texas
Local authorities have completed the initial damage assessment of the area concluding that 73 homes have been completed destroyed, 59 homes sustained major damage, a further 78 residences have minor damage, and an additional 61 homes have been affected in other ways. Two phases of residents were allowed to return to their homes today before the 7:00 PM curfew was invoked with two more phases expected to return tomorrow.
A Joint Assistance Center (JAC) has been established at 2547 Jerry Mashek Drive in West, as one central location where residents can have access to assistance from a range of relief agencies. Social Services Staff from The Salvation Army in Waco will be responsible to process applications from residents and provide support, Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM-7:00 PM, in the form of Walmart gift cards, counseling and case management. One Disaster Canteen (mobile kitchen) will remain at the JAC, another will work in the affected neighborhoods, with the remaining two units covering the Community Center and the Command Post. It is anticipated that the canteen services will continue for at least the coming week.
Since the response began within hours of the fertilizer plant explosion on Wednesday evening The Salvation Army has provided 2,945 meals, 2,526 drinks, and 1,385 snacks. So far, Salvation Army Officers, staff and volunteers have served for a combined number of 1,985 hours. As people return to their homes it is anticipated that spiritual care will become a key aspect of The Salvation Army response. To date, 137 residents and first responders have received prayer and spiritual care.
The Southern Baptist had people there serving food and cleaning up on the same day.
I read the donations just keep on coming in... from every where you can think of.
Pizza Joints,youth groups,all kinds of groups. I know of many people that are just going there and transporting people around cause many had no way to get around with damaged vehicles etc.
They have lots of help. Texans have been very generous. They are now asking only for monetary donations.
The Salvation Army gets the credit but the Southern Baptist have been cooking the meals just like in Bastrop during the fires and up in the NE with Hurricane Sandy...
Just sayin’
West, Texas is not in West Texas.
Also, I tried to give blood the day after and it was standing room only.
Punctuation is everything.
The General Motors Foundation announced that it will provide a $100,000 grant to the American Red Cross to aid emergency management officials with relief efforts following the April 17 fertilizer plant explosion.
The grant will help provide shelter and meals to those in need and help the organization prepare for and respond to the disaster.
http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-michigan/index.ssf/2013/04/general_motors_foundation_give.html
During this three-game weekend series with Seattle, the Rangers have collected tens of thousands of essential items for the West victims and residents that filled two large meeting areas at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington as well as thousands of dollars in gift cards. In addition, some $40,000 in cash donations will go to the citizens of West from Texas Rangers fans and employees and the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.
The Rangers with the assistance of the Fox Sports Southwest Fan Express, are planning to deliver the items collected this weekend to West, Texas during this upcoming week. More information will be announced when it is available.
http://bigcountryhomepage.com/fulltext?nxd_id=588942
Others are doing similar things and many relief agencies are helping from from local county types to major named agencies.
It takes time to get all things functioning and in place but the people will be helped.
May God bless the efforts and the people of West Texas.
From all reports I have heard, the authorities are actually asking to people to refrain from coming to the area, as there has been a huge outpouring of assistance form groups and towns within the state. Of course, I’m guessing all of that will dissipate substantially (at least temporarily) as the Skid Mark checks in briefly for another disaster-related photo op.
“They are getting TONS of help from fellow TEXANS. Nobody has called FEMA, we don’t want their help.”
You can show your Texas Pride, but you should not show misinformation.
FEMA and other federal agencies are responding to the West Disaster.
I know the Southern Baptist were very appreciated for the food they provided. I heard many times over about how great it was...........
That’s very close to my hometown of Smithville. I grew up in those two parks that abut each other— Bastrop State Park in Bastrop and Buescher State park, in Smithville, and still know folks living there.
Total BS. My son lives in West. He, his family, and his home are unscathed but for many, their situation is bad. There is more than enough water and food. Those that lost everything will need a lot of financial assistance.
Saint Mary's Catholic Church, in West, will distribute 100 percent of any donations to people in need. That's where we donated and we're Baptist. The Czech community of West is predominately Catholic.
West, Texas will bounce back. It's time for grieving and restoration for many. Pray for the all the people that were affected.
http://disasterreliefeffort.org/?p=454
A semi-trailer full of food and supplies was unloaded today at the Lake Shore Drive Church of Christ in Waco, TX for the victims of the fertilizer plant explosion in West, TX. Distribution of the goods will take place by the West, TX Church of Christ, along with assistance from the New Road Church of Christ and the Lake Shore Drive Church of Christ in Waco.
The West Church has opened their building up as a place for victims to stay, so another location was needed as a storage place for the supplies we’ve sent. Many members of the Lord’s Church are victims in West. The pulpit minister’s house was destroyed, along with a Nursing Home, apartment complex, and many homes. 50-60 people are still unaccounted for.
We received many calls in the last few days from many people in Texas, and in congregations all over the country, wanting to know a way they could help. One way, if you’re unable to physically help those in West, TX, is to consider going to our ‘Donate Now’ link on this website. We can turn your dollar into 3-4 times what you could buy with it at a retail store. We will package items in a way the victims can use them without having to pick through a bunch of odds and ends. We will send new clothing and shoes, so no one has to go through used clothing to look for a size.
Let your dollars work through us, assisting the local congregations in using the supplies we provide as a tool to reach out to victims in this time when so many are feeling like they have no where to turn, when they feel alone.
If they don’t have enough of anything in that little community, the media will just announce it on the TV and radio in TX and believe me, the people of TX take care of their own. We don’t need no Obama here.
Every good Texan has a special place in their heart for West.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.