Things I Like Aug 31

Greetings! Calling all Quilters:  Please note important info at bottom of this post.

I hope and pray everyone is happy and healthy.  I know there are many Texans and Louisianans  who are not and pray for them daily.  I was actually anxious to start my like list with number 1.

1. The citizens of Texas.  I am inspired by the citizens helping each other with total disregard for their own losses. We have been glued to the tv since last Friday which has been difficult to watch.  But we have been SO inspired by the Texans! Many homeowners were affected by flooding in their own homes, but went out and helped search and rescue people stranded in other locations. Good begets good.

2. The citizens of other states stop their own lives to arrive in Texas and Louisiana to help their fellow man.  In these disturbing times we are experiencing here in America, it's so heart warming and encouraging to watch people from all over the country giving to others without regard to race, political preference, etc.

3. The national organizations and government offices stepping up before and after the hurricane hit. They have their problems with accountability  but at least they were in the area immediately with help.

4. The local agencies scrambling to provide services to their citizens. Here is a list taken from the New York Times to help those in the Texas  area if you want to contact them to help:

Local organizations

The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund of Houston’s mayor, Sylvester Turner, which is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation.

Houston Food Bank and the Food Bank of Corpus Christi are asking for donations.

The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is reporting a critical shortage, and has extended hours at all of its San Antonio-area donor rooms. To donate, call 210-731-5590 or visit their website for more information.

Carter BloodCare covers hospitals in North, Central and East Texas. To donate, call 877-571-1000 or text DONATE4LIFE to 444-999.

To help animals suffering from the disaster, visit the Houston Humane Society or the San Antonio Humane Society. The Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has set up an animal emergency response hotline (713-861-3010) and is accepting donations on its website.

The Texas Diaper Bank in San Antonio is asking for diapers and wipes, which can be dropped off in person or mailed to 5415 Bandera Road, Suite 504, San Antonio, Tex., 78238.

The United Way of Greater Houston flood relief fund will be used to help with immediate needs as well as long-term services like minor home repair. Visit their website to donate or text UWFLOOD to 41444.

The L.G.B.T.Q. Disaster Relief Fund will be used to help people “rebuild their lives through counseling, case management, direct assistance with shelf stable food, furniture, housing and more.” It is managed by The Montrose Center, Houston’s longtime community center for the area’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population.

For more options, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends checking with the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster for a list of trusted disaster-relief organizations in Texas.

I have not seen the local list for  Louisiana cities, but hope it will be published.

 Even tho I donated to the American Red Cross, I prefer to also contact locally so the funds are distributed for a specific group or purpose immediately.  Those affected in Texas are going to need help for a very long time.  

Per Rebecca Ward ,the President of Kingwood Area Quilt Guild (next to Houston), they will act as a liaison to receive any size, color, pattern  quilts for Houston and they will make sure they get to flood victims.  Send them to Rebecca Ward, 5311 Dawnburst Dr., Humble, TX 77346  or  to Diane Floyd, 2026 Round Spring Rd., Kingwood, Tx 77339

Please hook up with Lee Anna at Not Afraid of Color for some more "likes".

Thanks for dropping by and best wishes to everyone.

mary