[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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