A constant stream of relief is making its way to south Texas from Abilene as individuals and organizations do what they can to help victims of Hurricane Harvey. A tractor trailer full of supplies was packed today at Global Samaritan Resources, it will be delivered in Corpus Christi this weekend. McMurry University students and faculty were volunteering to sort and pack goods inside the Global Samaritan warehouse.
"We’re feeling the impacts of Harvey all around campus,” Lauren Bridewell said. She wanted a way to help and volunteering GSR gave her the opportunity to do so. About 97 McMurry students are from the Houston area, Bridewell said most have returned to Abilene and resumed classes.
State Rep. Stan Lambert, who represents House District 71, was also among the volunteers packing supplies. He said the entire state is responding with help for flood victims and soon there will be legislative decisions to be made as well.
“I think the governor and lieutenant governor and speaker of the house will probably sit down and decide if they do need to call a special session to release some funds from the Rainy Day Fund,” Lambert said.
Additionally, he said “all hands are on deck,” and that crews from the Department of Transportation and other state agencies are working to help flood victims.
Global Samaritan Resources Executive Director Michael Bob Starr said this event was the first of many that the organization will do to help respond to the disaster. He said GSR is thinking about how to help long-term, he’s about to put out a public call for dust masks and work gloves. He said as the water recedes people will be find mold in their homes, that phase of recovery will require a lot of help.
