I know the Southern Baptists have sent teams to the area. Not sure what else is being done.
http://www.salvationarmytexas.org/
The Salvation Army Remains in West, TX, as Residents Begin Long Term Recovery
The Salvation Army Establishes Warehouse as Residents Return to West, Texas
The Southern Baptist had people there serving food and cleaning up on the same day.
I read the donations just keep on coming in... from every where you can think of.
Pizza Joints,youth groups,all kinds of groups. I know of many people that are just going there and transporting people around cause many had no way to get around with damaged vehicles etc.
They have lots of help. Texans have been very generous. They are now asking only for monetary donations.
West, Texas is not in West Texas.
Also, I tried to give blood the day after and it was standing room only.
The General Motors Foundation announced that it will provide a $100,000 grant to the American Red Cross to aid emergency management officials with relief efforts following the April 17 fertilizer plant explosion.
The grant will help provide shelter and meals to those in need and help the organization prepare for and respond to the disaster.
http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-michigan/index.ssf/2013/04/general_motors_foundation_give.html
During this three-game weekend series with Seattle, the Rangers have collected tens of thousands of essential items for the West victims and residents that filled two large meeting areas at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington as well as thousands of dollars in gift cards. In addition, some $40,000 in cash donations will go to the citizens of West from Texas Rangers fans and employees and the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.
The Rangers with the assistance of the Fox Sports Southwest Fan Express, are planning to deliver the items collected this weekend to West, Texas during this upcoming week. More information will be announced when it is available.
http://bigcountryhomepage.com/fulltext?nxd_id=588942
Others are doing similar things and many relief agencies are helping from from local county types to major named agencies.
It takes time to get all things functioning and in place but the people will be helped.
May God bless the efforts and the people of West Texas.
From all reports I have heard, the authorities are actually asking to people to refrain from coming to the area, as there has been a huge outpouring of assistance form groups and towns within the state. Of course, I’m guessing all of that will dissipate substantially (at least temporarily) as the Skid Mark checks in briefly for another disaster-related photo op.
Total BS. My son lives in West. He, his family, and his home are unscathed but for many, their situation is bad. There is more than enough water and food. Those that lost everything will need a lot of financial assistance.
Saint Mary's Catholic Church, in West, will distribute 100 percent of any donations to people in need. That's where we donated and we're Baptist. The Czech community of West is predominately Catholic.
West, Texas will bounce back. It's time for grieving and restoration for many. Pray for the all the people that were affected.
http://disasterreliefeffort.org/?p=454
A semi-trailer full of food and supplies was unloaded today at the Lake Shore Drive Church of Christ in Waco, TX for the victims of the fertilizer plant explosion in West, TX. Distribution of the goods will take place by the West, TX Church of Christ, along with assistance from the New Road Church of Christ and the Lake Shore Drive Church of Christ in Waco.
The West Church has opened their building up as a place for victims to stay, so another location was needed as a storage place for the supplies we’ve sent. Many members of the Lord’s Church are victims in West. The pulpit minister’s house was destroyed, along with a Nursing Home, apartment complex, and many homes. 50-60 people are still unaccounted for.
We received many calls in the last few days from many people in Texas, and in congregations all over the country, wanting to know a way they could help. One way, if you’re unable to physically help those in West, TX, is to consider going to our ‘Donate Now’ link on this website. We can turn your dollar into 3-4 times what you could buy with it at a retail store. We will package items in a way the victims can use them without having to pick through a bunch of odds and ends. We will send new clothing and shoes, so no one has to go through used clothing to look for a size.
Let your dollars work through us, assisting the local congregations in using the supplies we provide as a tool to reach out to victims in this time when so many are feeling like they have no where to turn, when they feel alone.
If they don’t have enough of anything in that little community, the media will just announce it on the TV and radio in TX and believe me, the people of TX take care of their own. We don’t need no Obama here.
My husband and I have TONS of clothing that we were going to donate, but by Saturday they were telling people to please not bring anymore, as they had run out of places to store them until people could look through them, so we gave money to the Salvation Army. Our daughter lives in Waco and said many places were collecting water and personal items (soap, toilet paper, etc), so she went on a supply run. I also read that so many people showed up to give hands-on help, that they were starting to turn them away this past wknd.
http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/West-Prepares-To-Bury-Its-Dead-203992381.html
Local News Report
Links..Where to send donations..I heard them announce they are out of room to store more donations ..send mmoney.
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas/kxan-teams-up-with-h-e-b-and-red-cross
KXAN is an Austin, TX tv station and HEB is a grocery store chain. They are helping and you can find out how to help on the link.
The students are getting back to school today. The younger ones there in West and the HS are being transported to a nearby district.
Residents are being allowed back in to their homes but only on a type of block by block basis from the less damaged to moderate damaged. There is a 7 pm curfew for those areas and people are only allowed to go in between 7 am and 7 pm. The more damaged area is still closed. It will take some time before all the streets are opened so many are still not able to go home. Some are still without electricity, gas and water. Water may be out for 3 weeks.
Last night’s news was reporting they were still watching some of the burned areas so fires don’t restart.
They don’t know if or when the nursing home will be rebuilt. The railroad tracks have been repaired for thru train passage.
Gov. Perry has stated more state inspections of the fertilizer place wouldn’t have prevented the fire. Still no word on how or why it happened.
On a sad note, hussein and moo will stop in for the memorial service in Waco on Thursday.
Also, to stop building contractor scams, all contractors must go through the city for approval. Thumbs up on that!