The flooding aftermath from Hurricane Harvey in Texas is moving people from all over the country to help those affected.
The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company is holding a drive that kicked off at 7 a.m. Wednesday. They’re asking for the basic necessities: food, bottled water, and toiletries.
The donation drive was organized by Kristine Davis, a 20-year member of the fire company. She has family 30 miles outside of Houston, who she’s been in close contact with.
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Davis is working with the American Red Cross on delivering the goods to flood-ravaged areas.
They told her that in addition to the basic necessities, people in Texas are also asking for walkers and wheelchairs for the elderly.
Seeing the devastation in Texas on the news and getting a ‘play-by-play’ from her sister, who’s right in the middle of the storm’s path, Mary Hable could only watch as rain and flood waters ripped apart of her home state.
“The whole street was covered with water,” Hable said referring to her sister’s block. “You couldn’t tell where the street was. All you could see was the grass in the area from the homes and that’s it.”
Photos from her sister’s cell phone gave only a glimpse of the tragedy unfolding over the last week in and around Houston and it sparked her to take action on Wednesday – her birthday.
“I brought diapers. I brought snacks. I brought those squishy foods that they can carry around,” Hable said.
Mary’s gesture is part of a growing effort in Bel Air.
Water, diapers, snacks, and toiletries piling inside the volunteer fire company – all for flood victims in Texas.
“I kind of figured we get an overwhelming response just because we’re the first ones to do anything in the county and I know that this county is all about helping people out,” Kristine Davis, an EMS member who’s leading the donation efforts, said.
She says watching the children, the people donating during their breaks from work, and those with free time have pushed her to keep going.
“I know it’s a lot of work, but I’m glad to be doing it and I have family down there,” Davis said.
Lending a helping hand was her first instinct, just as it was for Mary.
While their families avoided the dangers of the water, she wanted to give anything she could to help out.
“My sister lives in Lake City, Texas. My brother lives in Boerne, Texas. Luckily, the water came up to my sister’s mailbox, but didn’t go any further,” Hable said.
If you want to donate, the drive will be at the main station on South Hickory Avenue throughout the day.
