Home Depot Lends a Helping Hand

American Red Cross volunteers Conrado and Alicia Soto prepare Home Depot buckets with cleaning supplies for Bastrop residents.

Soon after the Central Texas wildfires broke out, the Home Depot was quick to offer a helping hand. As a member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, the Home Depot plays a crucial role helping the American Red Cross in disaster relief efforts.

The American Red Cross was able to set up a bulk distribution center at the Bastrop Home Depot where Red Cross volunteers passed out essential necessities, like cleaning supplies, sifters, and shovels, to Bastrop residents affected by the wildfires.

The shovels, cleaning supplies, and material for the sifters were purchased by the American Red Cross, but we could have not done it without the Home Depot. Not only did the Home Depot allow us to set up a distribution center at their Bastrop location, but many of their employees volunteered their time to build the sifters that were handed out to the residents.

Volunteer Conrado Soto helps Bastrop resident, Humberto Castelan, sift through the ashes of what once used to be his home.

As simple as these sifters may seem, they can help residents look for lost valuables and family heirlooms they may have thought were lost in the fires. To learn more about how these sifters helped area residents cope with the wildfires you can visit: Sifting Through the Ashes

Music for a Good Cause

 

As an intern for the Red Cross I got the great opportunity to attend one of the many Red Cross fundraisers being held in the Austin area. Being a music lover I jumped at the opportunity to check out some local bands that wanted to do something for their community. 

Local Austinites, Amarah Ulghani and Talib Abdullahi, wanted to do something to help their community and those affected by the recent wildfires in central Texas, so in a week they called their friends and came up with Music for Bastrop, which was held Thursday, September 15 at the Spider House Ballroom. 

Music for Bastrop featured Amarah’s band, The Sour Notes, and 7 other bands. When talking to Amarah I could tell how much she wanted to help the Bastrop community and how close she felt to the American Red Cross.

“We wanted to do something to help the community and we wanted the money to go towards an organization that we felt would do a great job. Having volunteered with the Red Cross before, I felt that this would be a great organization to donate to.”

 All night the bands were taking clothing and food donations as well as other necessities to be donated to the Central Texas Food Bank. All cover proceeds were donated to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund as well as with other monetary donations collected. In total, this amazing benefit concert raised over $2,000. 

Overall, this was such a fun experience. It was awesome to see how motivated young people were to help out our community, and I got to hear a lot of new bands that I can't wait to see again. Definitely a successful night!

Nana's Garden

“This is it,” said Shirley Ellett.  “This is all that’s left of ‘Nana’s Garden.’”

The Texas grandmother of two points to the only stone on her scorched land that appears to be untouched by recent wildfires.

“My granddaughters painted this rock for me,” explained Ellett as she struggled to lift the heavy stone.  “And when we came home we saw we had lost everything.  Everything, but this.”

Ellett is surrounded by family, including her grandkids, and she’s covered in a blanket she received from the American Red Cross.   She’s using the blanket to keep herself dry from an afternoon storm that rolled into Bastrop County this weekend.

“The rain would have been nice a week ago,” she said.  Thankfully I had this blanket inside my kit.”  Also in the Red Cross backpack is a flashlight that can also charge a cell phone, a first aid kit and gloves.

“This has been wonderful,” said Ellett standing next to her daughter.  “Yesterday we were able to get a sifter, trash bags and snacks at the Red Cross station down the street. Thank you so much.”

Wildfires across Texas have destroyed more than 1,500 homes and left many wondering where they’ll go from here.  That’s why more than 340 volunteers and staff with the American Red Cross have spread across the Lone Star State handing out comfort kits, feeding affected families and supporting overnight shelters.

In addition to providing counseling to those who have been affected by the fires, Red Cross volunteers have teamed up with the Southern Baptist Convention to serve more than 6,000 meals in Bastrop County alone.  

Ellett says this is home and she plans to rebuild on her land here in the Paige community.

“I have my family. We’re strong.  We’ll be fine”, she said.

Join Lindsey and Avery, Make a Difference for Your Community

Lindsey and Avery Colgin (ages 8 and 10) are a great example this week of how we can all do our part for families affected by disaster. Lindsey and Avery wanted to do something for all the families recovering from the recent wildfires, so they held a lemonade stand to raise money. Their mom suggested that they also accept donations as well, and Lindsey and Avery ended up raising over $100 for American Red Cross disaster relief!

Here's a photo of Avery and Lindsey at work raising money for families in need:

And here they are donating $122 for disaster relief at the American Red Cross of Central Texas:

Great work Avery and Lindsey! We hope that you'll get involved in your community just like they did by volunteering or donating today.

Help Out While You Rock Out!

If there’s one thing Austinites know how to do well it’s having a good time for a good cause. This Friday come on by Stubbs starting at 4 pm for some great live music hosted by our friends at Rock Raizer.  Rock Raizer is a nonprofit organization that provides music scholarships for underprivileged kids in the Austin area and they’ve recently partner up with the American Red Cross of Central Texas to create a fund to replace instruments for children who have lost theirs in a disaster. Tickets are by donation—so you choose the price! 

This Friday’s lineup includes:

Prodroma

Gorehound

A city for the taking

Fresh Nectar

Distant lights

To learn more about the event and get tickets visit: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=193424857372143

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/830565243/efbevent

To learn more about Rock Raizer and all the awesome things they’re doing in the Austin area check out their website: http://rockraizer.org

MOONSHINE GRILL RAISES $3,800 FOR JOPLIN RELIEF

On Wednesday night, the wonderful folks at Moonshine Grill hosted a cool (in spite of the heat) fundraiser for the Red Cross relief efforts in Joplin, MO.   The owner of Moonshine Grill has ties to the Joplin area and wanted to help those that had been affected by the devastating tornado that hit Joplin on May 22^nd.   He talked to friends in Joplin and told them he wanted to help families there.   His friends told him to give to the Red Cross because the Red Cross was there from the beginning with assistance.

Moonshine Grill provided appetizers, drinks, live music, a raffle and an intimate patio area for all the fun.  The band Jitterbug Vipers  played – they are a really hip jazz swing band – and occasionally had a hip 2 year old sing with them!

Some local restaurants provided really generous gift certificates for the raffle:  ZTejas, Uchi, Fleming’s Steak House, Parkside and Hopdoddy Burger Bar just to name a few.  This fun event raised $3,800 for disaster relief efforts in Joplin, MO.  This was such a terrific effort on the part of Moonshine Grill and their guests.  We cannot thank them enough.  Great community partners like this allow us to provide our services for free.  We couldn’t do it without them.  Thank you  Moonshine Grill!!

CEO MARTY MCKELLIPS SPEAKS TO KVUE ABOUT JAPAN DISASTER

WHAT TO DO IF YOU'VE BEEN AFFECTED BY FLOODING - UPDATED 9/17/2010

IF YOU HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY FLOODING AND HAVE NOT HAD A DISASTER ASSESSMENT TEAM VISIT YOUR HOME:


Please send the following information to skennedy@centex.redcross.org:

First and Last Name

Street Address

City, State and Zip

Phone Number

We will call these individuals to schedule an appointment to meet with a caseworker at our Client Assistance Site, once damage assessment for your address has been completed.  Please note that we are only able to offer assistance to those with homes classified as having Major Damage or Destroyed at this time.  We are not able to offer assistance to owners of  non-residential structures.  Thank you for your patience as we respond to this disaster within our community.  If you have any questions, please call our offices at (512) 928-4271 or 1-800-928-4271.

Additional Resources: 

Williamson County - http://www.wilco.org

RETURNING HOME AFTER A FLOOD

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE?
Assistance eligibility is based on Damage Assessment guidelines set forth by the American Red Cross and other local and federal agencies and is based on water levels reached inside the single family dwelling, apartment or mobile home, in addition to other considerations.  Currently we are assisting those whose homes have been classified as Major Damage or Destroyed.  Unfortunately, we do not have the financial resources to offer assistance to all homes affected by flooding at this time.  


Single Family Home or Apartment 

• Major Damage -   36 to 60 inches of water in the living area of the dwelling
• Destroyed - 60 inches or more of water in the living area of the dwelling

Mobile Home

•  Major Damage -   24 to 48 inches of water in the living area of the dwelling
• Destroyed - 48 inches or more of water in the living area of the dwelling

The American Red Cross of Central Texas has closed all shelters in Central Texas. Governor Rick Perry has issued a disaster proclamation for Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties in Central Texas.  We are currently working with our volunteers to assess the damages left behind by Hermine. Once damage assessment is complete, the ARC national office will make a decision on what type of aid we will be able to extend based on the damages. Please note, it may take up two weeks for the Red Cross and other agencies to thoroughly assess the damage cause by this flood.

Please read and follow our guide to RETURNING HOME AFTER A FLOOD to begin the cleanup process. Here are some additional tips to help you document the damage: 

• Take good pictures of all damages, especially water marks showing how high the water line rose. Document interior damage as well as exterior.
• Keep receipts for every single expenditure. That way you will have as many options as possible for reimbursement through insurance and government programs.
• Refer to the Williamson County website for additional guidance:  www.wilco.org
• For Agricultural Damage:  Craig Enhlemann, USDA at 512.863.8576

 Williamson County Government Resources for Hermine Victims 

Williamson County (all residents) – Williamson County Landfill has waived or reduced fees to help flood victims during cleanup.  More information is available: http://wilco.org/CountyDepartments/PublicInformationOffice/NewsandAnnouncements/tabid/714/EntryID/663/language/en-US/Default.aspx.

Williamson County Landfill is off of FM 1660, at 600 Landfill Rd, Hutto, TX  78634.  You can reach them for more information at 512-846-2756 or 512-759-8881.

Cedar Park – Residents should report damage to Emergency Management Coordinator James Mallinger at james.mallinger@cedarparktx.us. 

Georgetown – Residents should report damage to inspection@georgetown.org or 512-930-2550.  Residents can also request help with clean up from Emergency Management Coordinator Kevin Stofle at kevin.stofle@georgetown.org. 

Leander – Residents should report damage to Public Works at 512-259-2640 

Unincorporated Areas of Williamson County – Residents should report damage to county office of Emergency Management at flood@wilco.org or 512-943-3747.  Residents may need permits to rebuild earthworks, roads, houses, or outbuildings, and should contact the county Floodplain Administrator at 512-943-3620.

If you would like to donate to this and future relief efforts, please visit our DONATE page.

RED CROSS SHELTERING IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY DUE TO FLOODING

The American Red Cross of Central Texas opened three shelters in Williamson County after heavy rainfall forced the evacuation of some residents in that county beginning yesterday evening. The Georgetown shelter, located at 1003 North Austin Blvd, will remain open through the night. The Round Rock shelter, located at the Clay Madsen Center, has closed as of this afternoon. The shelter that had been opened in the early morning hours in Florence has been closed, and is on standby to be reopened this evening.

American Red Cross employees and volunteers  have worked around the clock to staff the three shelters since  their opening yesterday evening, with relief volunteers arriving during the day so that the night shift could get some much needed rest.  Dedicated employees and volunteers in emergency services and disaster response often work very long hours, particularly during the initial phase of the response, in order to make sure our clients get the services they need.  

Red Cross provided breakfast, lunch, snacks, blankets and other personal items that will help people get through this difficult time as they await news on the condition of their homes. All of these services are provided free of charge through the generosity and monetary donations of Central Texans.  You can make a donation to help us be prepared for the next disaster by visiting our website at www.centex.redcross.org.

BILLY BOB THORNTON NARRATES NEW PSA FOR DISASTER RELIEF