[Students] update on help for hurricane victims
Penny Belcher
Penny_Belcher at tamu-commerce.edu
Thu Sep 1 11:04:41 CDT 2005
A&M-C family - faculty, staff and students,
I just want to update you on some of the efforts taking place for our local
hurricane victims. The outpouring of responses to help has been
unbelievable. I want to thank all of you for offering your support and
help. Many of you have contacted me about hosting a family in your homes,
some of you have offered clothing and there have been many other offers.
I was at the Holiday Inn Express last night until after 8 p.m. visiting
with some of the families and listening to some of their stories. These
people are now having to face the reality that many of their homes are
totally destroyed and they have no where to go. These people are really in
pain and you can feel it when you talk to them, yet they are trying to keep
their spirits up. Also, they are so appreciative of all the things this
community has done for them.
The Commerce ISD brought in approximately 6 or more computers and hooked
them up in the hotel meeting room so the victims can check emails, surf the
internet and try to find family and loved ones. Also, the school district
had them complete a survey asking them about their needs. So now, the
school personnel along with other volunteers are trying to get
prescriptions filled, get clothing and meet some other needs.
The hotel meeting room is full of drinks, food, baskets of fruit, games to
play, books to read, and many other things supplied by local grocery stores
and local citizens. Also, meals have been furnished by local restaurants
and organizations. Community people have been coming to the hotel and
paying for the cost of rooms for some of the victims. They just pay a lump
sum and tell the hotel to pay for some rooms. It's amazing how giving
people are.
Randy McDonald from our Admissions Office came driving up at the hotel last
night to deliver campus newspapers to the victims. It's little things like
this that really can make a difference and let's them know we care. Also,
we had some fraternity students show up asking to help - way to go guys!!
My son immediately made a friend with one of the little boys and they swam
together in the pool and then played tennis outside. This little boy just
needed a friend and somebody to play with. Of course my child is always
willing to play - he sure didn't want to go home and do his homework :-)
So now if you are still wanting to help - I have some more definite contact
numbers. The main coordinator of most of the efforts is Sue Porter and she
can be contacted at 903-886-8933 or on her cell at 903-456-4124. She is
coordinating food efforts; as well as, other donations. So please contact
her if you want to help.
Thanks for all that you have done so far.
Penny Belcher, Director
Corporate and Community Relations
903-468-8170
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