UPDATE: We’ve added a couple of items at the end of this story, including one local fundraiser and another donation drop-off location.
Several groups in Breckenridge are pitching in to aid those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Below is a list of the efforts that the Breckenridge Texan has been informed of. If you know of any other relief projects, send the information to news@breckenridgetexan.com, and we’ll get the news on the website and on Facebook.
Blood Drive – Breckenridge Rotary
The Breckenridge Rotary Club will host a blood drive with Carter BloodCare from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, in the Community Room of First National Bank of Breckenridge.
According to information from the Rotary Club, the hurricane and subsequent flooding have forced hundreds of scheduled blood drives in Houston and South Texas to be canceled. Since hospital patients still need blood, Carter BloodCare has already sent blood to Houston and will be sending more. The local drive is to help make sure patients in this area, as well as in South Texas, have the blood they need.
Donation Drive – East Elementary
To help Texans who have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, East Elementary is holding a donation drive to collect items needed for disaster relief. The items will be delivered to collection sites in Abilene to be sent to the victims along the Gulf Coast.
The school’s administrators and teachers are using the drive as a way to empower students to help when others are struggling. They are encouraging parents to have conversations with students about how important helping others is. Examples of items that are needed are listed below. Items can be delivered to the East Elementary main office through Sept. 7.
Items needed by Hurricane Harvey victims:
- Duct tape
- Rubber gloves
- Batteries (AA,D,C)
- Diapers/ Wipes
- Toiletry items (male or female)
- Toothbrushes for adults and kids
- Gently used clothing for all sizes
- Adult men and women
- Children of all ages babies to teens
- Some toys to comfort children who may not be able to get back to their homes
- Blankets
- Paper and Ziploc bags
- Pet food
- Cleaning Supplies
- Trash Bags
- Bottled water
Donation Drive – Breckenridge Smile Center
The staff at Breckenridge Smile Center is taking donations for Houston. Drop any items you wish to donate at the dental office, 1905 W. Walker St., during regular office hours.
In addition to the items listed above, the Breckenridge Smile Center suggests the following items:
- Cots
- Air mattresses
- Pillows
- Sheets and pillow cases
- Towels and wash cloths
- Flashlights
- Dry shampoo
- Travel-size shampoo
- Deodorant
- Soap
- Toothpaste – small tubes
- Sports Drinks
- Wet wipes
- Tampons and maxi pads
- Toilet paper
- Bleach
- Hand sanitizer
- Nonperishable food items
- MREs (ready-to-eat meals)
- Straps
- Gloves
- Gas cans
- Coolers
- Bug spray
- Dog collars and leashes
For more information on state-wide relief efforts, see the article, “Hurricane Harvey relief efforts: How to get — and offer — help” in the Breckenridge Texan‘s Texas News section.
Texas Strong T-shirts
A group of Breckenridge women is working with The Shirt Shop to sell t-shirts to raise funds for the Harvey victims. The t-shirts say “Texas Strong come hell or high water,” and all proceeds will be donated to flood victims. For more information, see the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BreckenridgeChamberofCommerce/) or call 254-559-2775.
Donation Drop Off
Cassie Boggess of Breckenridge will be at the Stephens County Courthouse later this week to collect donated items to take to the victims of the hurricane and flooding. She will be there from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2. She and other volunteers are looking to collect the same types of items listed above.
Red Cross
Of course, local residents can also help out by donating to the Red Cross, which is trying to coordinate relief efforts for those affected by the disaster. To donate funds to the Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
