Hi Guys! First off, thank you all so much for all of your kind messages and for checking in throughout the past few days. It truly means the world. Colton and I have been so incredibly thankful and have not been horribly affected by the storm. Since we are in an apartment and are pretty high up, we have not had to deal with the water first hand. The worst part for us has basically been being stuck in our apartment the past few days. To put it into perspective, every road around us is underwater so we have have been seriously bunkered down for the past few days. So grateful we never lost power though! Unfortunately, not everyone has been as lucky as we have been. My Mom and Step Dad evacuated their home Friday and while they are okay, I’m scared to death to see the damage my childhood home has faced.
I’m praying the rain stops sooner rather than later. For those of you who are not from Houston and do not all the way understand what is happening, I shared this on my Facebook Page Sunday and it explains it perfectly.
Houston is huge.
The greater metropolitan area is circled by the Grand Parkway – which is 170 miles long. That makes the area of the circle inside the Grand Parkway over 2200 sq. miles.
2200 square miles of densely habited, urban and suburban, areas is flooded.
Imagine if the entire state of Delaware, with twice the population of Manhattan, was under water.
That’s Houston.
It’s still raining.
Our city is in a true crisis. Luckily, there are so many ways you all can help!
HOW TO HELP
The easiest and best way to help is through cash donations. “Unlike material donations, cash involves no transportation costs, shipping delays, or customs fees. It also enables relief organizations to spend more time providing aid by spending less time managing goods”.
You can send a text to help right now
The Red Cross said they depend on financial donations to help provide immediate relief. They have already set up a way to donate to victims with a simple text. Text the word HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation. You can also visit redcross.org or call 1- 800-RED CROSS.
You can call or go online to donate
Donations to support The Salvation Army’s Hurricane Harvey relief efforts can be made at helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
Shop HEB
H-E-B plans to donate $100,000 toward Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.As of Monday, all H-E-B, Central Market and Joe V’s Smart Shop stores across Texas launched a a campaign giving customers an opportunity to support victims through donations of $1, $3, or $5, which can be added to their total grocery bill.
Volunteer
The American Red Cross in Texas has asked the people of Texas to volunteer. They are currently offering training for people who want to help volunteer at their shelters through what they call a “fast=track” course. The Salvation Army also announced it would be accepting volunteers to hand out supplies and food at shelters. Check for a local group in your area that is sending volunteers.
Volunteer Houston has launched a VIRTUAL Volunteer Reception Center to aid non-profits and agencies in finding and deploying people to hard-site areas.
As soon as the water goes down and it is safe to drive, I will be heading to the George R Brown Convention Center Shelter to do the fast track training so that I can help.
If you are in Houston, Corpus or Port A and have been truly affected by the Hurricane, my heart truly goes out to you. I am praying for you continuously. We will recover. We will be a stronger city after this.
xo,
Lauren
Hey Lauren! Happy you are safe. I want to go volunteer too! Lmk if you would like to go together. Maybe we can try to get more people to go! Bloggers! Anyone really who would like to join.
*HUGS*
Hi Honey! How were you during the storm? I hope you werent affect by the flooding! I tried to go earlier this week but I couldnt get to GRB so I just donated items and money the the Red Cross. This weekend I will be at my moms but I have heard of a lot of bloggers being able to make it to GRB! We should start our own campaign to try and raise money!
Texas definitely does need all the prayers it can get!
Briana
https://beyoutifulbrunette.com/
You’re Amazing! Thank you sweet girl!