Thorndale student collecting supplies for hurricane victims

The rains have passed here in Milam County and residents are now working to gather much-needed supplies, clothing and food for those affected by Hurricane Harvey on the Gulf Coast.

Thorndale sixth grader Stiles Patin has started collecting those supplies in hopes of helping people.

Stiles’ mother Tammy said that after seeing the devastation on TV this weekend Stiles decided he wanted to do something to help and started collecting things to take to shelters in our area.

“I would like to ask anyone to look through their closets to see if they could donate clothes, towels, shoes or really anything you think these individuals and families could use in the shelters,” Tammy said.

She said the shelters are currently in need of new undergarments – underwear, panties and bras in all sizes for adults and children and new socks and toilet paper. They are also collecting clothing, hygiene products, shoes, towels and diapers and baby needs.

The Thorndale ISD Administration building is the main drop off spot. Thorndale First Baptist Church, Pleasant Retreat UMC, St. Paul Lutheran School, Patin Construction, Uptown Café in Thorndale, Dana Boehm Animal Wellness Hospital and Salon 505 in Taylor are also drop off locations.

You are asked to put donations in a bag labeled “Stiles Mission.”

Tammy said she plans to take the donations to the Hurricane Harvey shelter in Bell County some time later this week or after there is enough to deliver.

Stiles has been overwhelmed by the response from the community so far and they have already filled a trailer half full with supplies. 

“I know we live in a small little town but these little towns have huge hearts and I know we can make a huge difference,” Tammy said.

County

Milam County Emergency Management coordinator Susan Reinders said that Milam County does not have a shelter open at this time.

“The State of Texas has activated their Shelter Plans,” she said. “Bell County is the host county for Brazoria County. McLennan County is also a host county, but Milam County is not a designated host county.  We do not currently have any shelter operations activated.”

She said that if the county is requested to open a shelter the first primary shelter will be the Milano Shelter building adjoining the Milano VFD-McLane Station.

HARVEST BIBLE CHURCH-ROCKDALE

Harvest Bible Church in Rockdale, in cooperation with Evangelical Church of Christ in Caldwell is gathering items to deliver to Brookshire. Currently 500 meals a day are being served in Brookshire to folks who have been displaced due to Harvey. Food products are what is needed in Brookshire at the moment. Other items will be delivered to evacuees at another location such as Pasadena H.S. or even Bell County where currently about 350 are housed. 

Drop off locations for donations have now been established and include: Milano Fire Department, Rockdale O`Reilly Auto Parts through today, Rockdale Signs through today, and Harvest Bible Church from 6-8 p.m. today. If you would like more information call (254) 482-0250 or (512) 760-5552. A relief trip is being planned for Friday, Sept. 1. 

Items sought are: gallon commercial size cans of vegetables, bottled water, pastas, soups, granola bars, trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, chips, peanut butter, jelly, bread, crackers, cereal, oatmeal canned fruit, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, kids toothpaste, hygiene items, diapers, wipes, hand sanitizer, shampoo, soap, playing cards, coloring books and crayons, hair brushes, combs, men’s and women’s new underwear.

WATER COLLECTION

Lonestar Patriots of Texas have asked for the Milam County Sheriff’s Office to be a drop off point for bottled water to be taken to the coast today. If you wish to donate you can drop it off at the MCSO lobby. They will also be collecting tarps.

If you or your organization or group are collecting for the victims or Hurricane Harvey, please email your information to publisher@cameronherald.com and I will get it on our list for you.

Other places to donate:

RED CROSS: Visit their website redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. 

UNITED WAY: Text UWFLOOD to 41444 to donate to the United Way Flood Relief Fund

CATHOLIC CHARITIES USA: Text CCUSADISASTER to 71777 to donate or visit their website catholiccharitiesusa.org for more details.

SALVATION ARMY: You can donate cash online at disaster.salvationarmyusa.org or by phone at 1-800-725-2769.

TEXAS DIAPER BANK: Diapers are not provided by disaster relief agencies. To alleviate that need, the TDB is requesting donations of cash and diapers to provide emergency diaper kits for families that are being displaced due to Hurricane Harvey. Visit the donation page at texasdiaperbank.org and designate your donation for Disaster Relief.

HOUSTON FOOD BANK: You can donate cash online at  www.houstonfoodbank.org.