Hurricane Harvey made landfall on the Texas coast late last month, causing historic flooding and damage that will last for years. The University of Alabama community knows the catastrophic impact of a natural disaster well, so following the landfall of Hurricane Harvey people from all corners of campus have come together to provide relief to those affected by the storm.
Efforts have been spearheaded by different campus groups like The Center for Service and Leadership who is pairing with multiple organizations and conducting different drives to assist families in Houston.
“It’s important, as a community, to come together, and help those that are in need,” said Courtney Chapman Thomas, director of the Center for Service and Leadership. “We weren’t exactly sure when the trucks would be able to make it to Houston, but now that they can, the drives are happening for those who want to help out.”
For students who are from the Houston area, they feel the devastation of their homes, but are proud to see the work the people are doing to help
Chelsea Sellers, a civil engineering senior at Alabama, is from Katy, Texas which is about 30 miles west of Houston. Though her subdivision was fortunate and did not flood, her fellow-residents were not as lucky.
“All my friends and people I know back home ended up having to be rescued to be evacuated out of their homes.” Sellers said. “It’s extremely devastating especially watching something like this happen to where you grew up and to your friends, but people really have come together and that’s a cool thing to see.”
Multiple drives have started and will run through Sept. 14.
Drive 1:
What: Women’s Hygiene Products Drive
Hosts: The Women and Gender Resource Center and UA Panhellenic Association
When: Thursday, Sept. 7
Where: 1100 Ferguson Center and the Women and Gender Resource Center which is located at 2000 South Lawn Office Building.
Faculty and students are encouraged to drop off an array of feminine products.
Drive 2:
What: Gift Card Drive
When: Friday, Sept. 8
Where: 1100 Ferguson Center
There will be a gift card drive which will benefit Wedgewood Elementary, located in Friendswood, Texas, southwest of Houston. People are encouraged to donate gift cards to grocery stores, such as Walmart, Target, or Costco.
Event 3:
What: Water Support the United Way and Athletics Drive
Hosts: United Way, UA Athletics and Coleman Worldwide Moving
When: Saturday, Sept. 9, 8-11 a.m.
Where: University Mall parking lot near light pole #30
“There will be a truck there taking water bottles, non-perishable food, baby diapers and wipes, dishes and eating utensils, and just about anything else that you use in your daily life,” Thomas said.
Event 4:
What: Blood Drive
Hosts: The American Red Cross
When: Sept. 12-14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Ferguson Student Center 3rd floor
Other ways to help: American Red Cross, Houston Food Bank, United Way of Greater Houston, and
the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund will all be accepting monetary donations.
For more ways to donate and how you can help, visit http://www.houstontx.gov.
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