By Kim Gasuras
A graduate of Colonel Crawford High School in 1986, Michelle Stack now resides in Katy, Texas, one of the areas hit the hardest by Hurricane Harvey.
Stack has been sheltering in place at home with family and doing what she can to help out.
“Rescue and safety is the mission right now. Recovery hasn’t even started yet because we are still taking on water. Basically it’s all hands on deck and neighbors are helping neighbors. No barriers here,” Stack said as she made food for first responders and volunteers. “Hatred and division has had no place here. That’s been phenomenal; anyone starting it is shut up as swiftly as the water flows. The outpouring relief efforts and prayers are astronomical. Even Texans are struggling to find ways to help without getting in the way.”
In Bucyrus, several area organizations and churches are collecting donations to help the thousands of people affected by the enormous amount of flooding in Texas.
“When people are hurting, we should help out. Simply put, it’s the right thing to do,” said Pastor Bernie France of Prevailing Word Ministries in Bucyrus.
France said donations of non-perishable food items, adult and baby diapers of all sizes, and personal hygiene items can be dropped off at his church by appointment.
“I want people to call first so someone is there to bring the items inside in case it rains,” France said.
The number to call France is 419-563-4165.
Chris Copper, a volunteer of the local Red Cross, said at least one person from Crawford County has already headed down to help out with the disaster but volunteers are needed.
“We have our executive director for Crawford County in Texas, actually, working out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His name is Todd James,” said Copper.
According to an American Red Cross Facebook post, there is a great need for volunteers given the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. Anyone interested in volunteering should visit http://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer#step1.