Let’s take a moment to think about the Houston area and all those along the coast who have been crippled by Hurricane Harvey. Our community has been spared the worst. We are a city that works together with great success day in and day out, so today, let’s take a moment to send positive thoughts to the fellow Texans to our south. This storm has devastated communities and some families have a long, long road to recovery.
Looking for information about how you can help? Here’s a list of local and national organizations who are working tirelessly to help those in need:
Texas Fire Chiefs Association
The Texas Fire Chiefs Association is dedicated to assisting the citizens of Texas and victims of Hurricane Harvey. Over the next several months their focus will be specifically geared towards recovery for the first responders who may have lost their homes and fire departments who may need help getting back on their feet.
A website has been set up to collection donations. Please visit www.texasfireservice.org or click here to donate. Additionally the TFCA is collecting gift cards that can be distributed to the first responders. Those can be mailed to: TFCA, P.O. Box 66700, Austin, Texas 78766
United Way of Williamson County
United Way of Williamson County will collect items and monetary donations to help meet the immediate and long-term needs of individuals and families in nearby communities affected by the storms. It has set up two options for Williamson County residents to partner with us to provide help and hope in the areas closest to home.
- Financial contributions: Monetary donations can be made online at www.unitedway-wc.org, or by texting the word WilcoCares to 91999, or via check. All checks should be made out to United Way of Williamson County-Hurricane Relief Fund and should be mailed to P.O. Box 708, Round Rock, TX 78680. One hundred percent of donations will be directed to hurricane relief efforts. United Way of Williamson County will not be collecting administrative fees for this fund. Monetary donations are tax deductible. United Way of Williamson County is working closely with the network of United Ways across Texas to identify the areas in most critical need of resources.
- #WilcoCares Supply Drive: From Wednesday, Aug. 30 through Sept. 15, United Way of Williamson County is coordinating the collection of cleaning supplies and personal care items at locations in Cedar Park, Georgetown, Round Rock, and Taylor. Accepted items include bottled water, cleaning supplies, contractor grade trash bags, mops and buckets, heavy duty work gloves, hand sanitizer and more. Absolutely no clothing or bedding will be accepted due to a lack of time and resources available to sort and store those items. A detailed list of accepted donations can be found at www.unitedway-wc.org. The collection location in Round Rock is at 1111 N. IH-35, Ste. 220. Hours are Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Austin Disaster Relief Network
ADRN is taking donations and helping groups to set up fundraisers to meet the immediate emergency needs of survivors and help fund the long-term repairs/rebuilds of homes. Taking community volunteer sign ups.
Salvation Army
The organization says it prefers monetary donations to food or other goods, as it can use the money to provide exactly what’s needed. It’s taking donations through the website, as well as by phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY. It accepts checks, “Hurricane Harvey” should be written on them.
NVOAD
Register as a volunteer with National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster at nvoad.org.
Central Texas Blood Bank
Donate blood weareblood.org.
American Red Cross
Encouraging people to donate money on its website or to text 90999 to donate $10.
Diaper Bank
Diaper Donations being accepted for babies and adults. More information: texasdiaperbank.org
United Way
Houston’s chapter of community support organization United Way has set up a Harvey recovery fund. Donate online and choose to send the money to specific counties or let the organization decide.
Food banks
The Houston Food Bank is at 1-832-369-9390; its website also offers instructions to people willing to donate food and organize food drives, and takes monetary donations of as little as $1.
Traveling to Houston to Volunteer
Register through the disaster portal of Volunteer Houston or All Hands Volunteers, which are coordinating help.
Animal Assistance
Williamson County Animal Shelter is seeking foster homes and donations.
Austin Pets Alive! is seeking foster homes and donations of top current needs:
- Large plastic or metal bins with lids so we can safely store food and goods in dry places.
- Leashes + Martingale Collars (any size)
- Cat Litter – Clumping preferred, but non-clumping needed, as well.
- 6 full-size indoor brooms
- Cat Beds (not regular bedding)
- Liquid laundry soap
Other important needs include:
- Dog Treats* – Chew Toys/Rawhides, Treat Logs, Peanut Butter and Milk Bones for Kongs for all of our stressed and crated pups!
- Paper or Styrafoam Bowls* – For feeding cats.
- Kitten and Puppy Formula
- Flea + Tick Prevention
- Canned Wet Food and Tuna – Now only needed for cats!
- Litter Boxes – 12×10″ or smaller
- Large Metal Dog Bowls
- Large Trash Bags
- Updated Cleaning Supplies List – Bleach, paper towels, general purpose cleaner, latex gloves, dish soap, sponges.
*Most urgent need
