Help for Houston

Once a month, Shay, Sheaffer and I host our What's Up Wednesday link up the last Wednesday of the month, but our hearts have been so heavy this week that we thought we would all focus on Hurricane Harvey relief instead and postpone What's Up Wednesday to next Wednesday, September 6th.

We see the news. We see the photos. We see the damage. Do you feel helpless? Honestly I have felt helpless for days now. When Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, I was able to go to New Orleans/Mississippi on a mission trip with our church to help rebuild homes in Spring 2006.
Read about it HERE.

 It was an amazing experience and a great way for me to give back. I didn't have kids back then, so now when disasters hit, the best way I know to help out is by donating money to relief organizations. I am in a season of life with young kids so taking them on a mission trip to help isn't something I can do at this time. But, I can donate money as a way of helping.

Maybe you feel the same way. You want to help, but don't know how.
We have complied a list of ways that you can help Houston and those who have been affected by the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. I know that I feel so helpless being here in California and not physically able to help, but I know that I can give money to help.

 Today, the three of us made a list of some of the places where your donations would go help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.  Of course, this is not all of them, so if you have other ideas/options/suggestions, please comment and share.

*Go to  http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ to make a credit card donation. We’ve had readers comment on how this organization helped them previously in times of need.  They have 5 tractor trailers currently on their way to Houston.

*JJ WATT (a Houston Texan football player) created a donation page and he pledges that 100% of the donations will go straight to disaster relief, to the people in need.  You can find the site HERE.

*Shay & Sheaffer's friends Courtney and Josh started a non-profit called Mission Regan several years ago in McKinney.  They specialize in delivering medical supplies to those in need (both locally and abroad), and right now they are putting together teams to deliver supplies to the hard hit areas in Houston.  The first team left yesterday, but they are already preparing for the 2nd round. Click HERE to donate.  Please specify “hurricane relief” in the square NOTES section and select “general fund” in the drop down box.  Click HERE to hop over to their facebook page to see a video they filmed yesterday showing some of their preparations getting ready to go.

*Go to http://www.texasbaptistmen.org/give-now

*UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief):  you can donate HERE, and you can go HERE to find out about how to make relief kits.  They are not in need of volunteers at this time.

*The United Way has also announced a way to text a donation: Text UWFLOOD to 41444 to donate to the United Way Flood Relief Fund.

*Donations to support The Salvation Army’s Hurricane Harvey relief efforts can be made at helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

*Carter BloodCare covers hospitals in north, central and east Texas. To donate, call 877-571-1000 or text DONATE4LIFE to 444-999.

*To help animals suffering from the disaster, visit the Houston Humane Society or the San Antonio Humane Society.

*The Texas Diaper Bank has issued an urgent request for donations, stating that diapers are not provided by disaster relief agencies. The diaper bank will be distributing emergency diaper kits to affected families.  You can donate money HERE, or you can send diaper to the following address: The Texas Diaper Bank     5415 Bandera Road, Suite 504  San Antonio, TX 78238

*AABB coordinates a task force to manage blood collection efforts.

 SHOP FOR A CAUSE:

*From now until the end of September, Chip and Joanna Gaines are donating 100 percent of the proceeds from their “Texas Forever” T-shirt towards Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

 

 

* Tori at ALL THE WIRE created a Texas Strong bracelet.  $10 of every sale will go to disaster relief.

* I got an email that Rodan + Fields has not only made sure all our consultants in the affected areas have their businesses protected but just donated $50,000 to relief efforts. 

It seems only right that I do the same thing, so any orders placed in the next week will have 100% of my commission donated to the relief efforts as well. I have several girls on my team who live in Houston & the photos they have shared of their neighborhoods are heartbreaking. It's a small way I can help.

FOR DALLAS PEOPLE:

Thousands and thousands of evacuees began arriving in Dallas yesterday, with makeshift shelters at the Convention Center, schools and recreation centers. Trusted World has set up donation centers with needs specific to the shelters: diapers, baby wipes, toiletries, feminine hygiene products and nonperishable food including baby formula. The only clothing items that are needed at this time are packs of underwear and socks. Go HERE for locations and hours and/or to sign up for a time to Volunteer.

  

TEACHERS:

 Get your students and their families involved and consider adopting a classroom that has been affected by Hurricane Harvey. The idea is that your classroom will help collect basic supplies or gift cards to help setup students with tools to get their classroom back on its feet. 

To sign-up: https://goo.gl/forms/nG0fFvnjeJrBXkyf2
For more information: http://bit.ly/2vpmYJp
 
Are you a Texan teacher who needs help?
Please sign-up to be an adopted classroom on the link above!

 Hopefully this list have given you some ideas on how to help. 

Houston, our hearts are broken for you & we are praying for you.