Thousands of families across the region have been affected by the wildfires to the west and north of Houston. Not only do we have the fires raging in Bastrop county, but also to the north of us in Waller/Montgomery/Grimes area. These leaves families with many needs, not just the evacuees, but the firefighters which are serving them too.
Here is a list of places accepting donations “Texas Wildfires How You Can Help”. This list of donations drop off spots also offers online donation information for the Montgomery County United Way and the Red Cross.
To make the most of your donation efforts, you can do what many churches and subdvisions (like mine is today) and schedule a donation drop off event. Pick a day and time and with just a truck and a couple of volunteers you can collect many of the much needed items to help families throughout our region.
Did you know that many families have nothing but the clothing on their back?
Did you know that other families are having to use vacation time because they can’t work (or aren’t even getting paid) while the wildfires rage on?
Did you know that many families are having to live in shelters or pay for expensive hotel room charges (hey even $34.95 a night is expensive when you have been there a week). Add to that eating out and evacuation is an expensive endeavor, a prolonged evacuation is one that very few can afford.
Budgets are tight for all of us . . . but consider this. Can you spend $10.00 at the dollar store today and pick up baby wipes, Visine (store brand), energy drinks, Vaseline (store brand) and many of the other much needed items? Or maybe you have a box of samples stored underneath the sink for when guest come? Even those donations can make a difference to someone who doesn’t have a toothbrush.
Here is an updated list of items being requested at the Tomball Fire Department to benefit the firefighters and their families in the Magnolia area:
Burn cream, protein bars, lip balm, antacids, sunglasses, safety goggles, face masks, eye wash, gum, 12 packs of soda, white tee shirts, and socks.
Donations can be made at1200 Rudel, Tomball, TX 77375.
In the Katy area, the Katy Fire Department has provided an updated list of items urgently needed including:
- cell phone wall chargers,
- surge protectors,
- Gatorade,
- new bedding,
- new sheets,
- new pillows,
- cots,
- new sleeping bags,
- teddy bears and or small toys for the children,
- baby items like diapers and pull ups,
- formula and baby food in non-glass packaging
- dog and cat food
- school supplies and backpacks.
There is a desperate need of the following items for the firefighters and police:
- toiletries (disposable razors, shaving cream, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes),
- unscented baby wipes,
- Visine,
- Vaseline,
- Industrial-grade goggles,
- 3M face masks
- lip balm,
- Aspirin/Advil,
- Tums,
- Red Bull and 5 hour energy drinks,
- gum,
- travel size hand sanitizers,
- new white T-Shirts,
- hand towels,
- snacks,
- and moving boxes/bins/totes.
Donations continue to be accepted at both the Katy Fire Department 1417 Ave. D, Katy Texas as well as Tista’s Fine Furniture 403 Grand Parkway, Katy TX. As previously reported contact Norma Galvan at 713-883-9444 for more information.
