Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown and Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan

As news spread about the devastating July 4 flooding in central Texas, Breckenridge’s First Methodist Church members began working with churches in Eastland and San Angelo, as well as with the Global Methodist Church, to put together “Flood Buckets” to be delivered to the flooded areas.

Several areas of Central Texas, including San Angelo in Tom Green County and parts of Kerr County flooded in the early morning hours of July 4. Hit especially hard were areas near Hunt, west of Kerrville, along the Guadalupe River. There are several campgrounds in the area, and many vehicles and structures were washed away by the flood waters. According to the Kerrville Police Department, over 850 uninjured people and eight injured people have been evacuated, and first responders have recovered the bodies of 27 people, including 18 adults and nine children. Of those, six adults and one child are unidentified, officials said at a press conference this morning, Saturday, July 5. Additionally 27 campers from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls, as well as others, are still missing.

Many people who escaped the flood waters in the area have had their homes and businesses destroyed. The slow-moving storm is predicted to stay over Central Texas today, possibly leading to more flooding.

“Flood Buckets” are 5-gallon buckets filled with cleaning supplies that flood victims can use to help clean up the mess left behind when the flood waters recede. FMC has provided a specific list of items needed for the buckets and has invited anyone in Breckenridge to put together a bucket and take it to the church, which will arrange for the buckets to be delivered to the flooded areas next week.

“We’re just working together to be the church, to be the hands and feet of God,” FMC Pastor Sam Chambers said.

Even partially filled buckets can be donated to the church and members will finish filling them.

“If you can’t provide the completed flood buckets, then please bring what you can and together we can complete them,” a post on the church’s Facebook page explains.

Buckets and supplies from the list below may be dropped off at the church on Sunday morning, July 6. Worship services will be at 8:30 a.m. (come as you are service) and 10:45 a.m. (traditional service). Additionally, the church office will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and buckets may be dropped off during those times, Chambers said.

The church is also accepting monetary donations to help purchase any additional supplies for the buckets. Chambers requests that any monetary donations include a notation that it is specifically for the Flood Buckets.

For more information, call FMC at 254-559-8208 during regular office hours.

Flood Bucket – Cleaning Kit

Value: Roughly $105 per cleaning kit (shopping at dollar stores might reduce the cost)

Materials:

• One five-gallon round bucket with lid (14.35″ h x 12.19″ w x 12.19″ d)
  • No screw lids
  • May be used, but must be free from all residual product
  • Advertisement on the outside acceptable
• One 32–64 oz. bottle liquid laundry detergent
• One 16–40 oz. bottle liquid concentrate household cleaner
  • No spray cleaners
• One 16–34 oz. bottle liquid dish soap
• One 4–8 oz. pump spray air freshener
• One 6–14 oz. pump spray insect repellant (pack of 10–20 wipes also acceptable)
  • Pump spray bottles must have protective covers
• One scrub brush
  • With or without handle
• 18 re-useable cleaning towels
  • No terrycloth, microfiber, or paper towels
  • Remove from packaging
• Five scouring pads
  • No stainless steel or pads with soap in them
  • Remove from packaging
• 36–50 clothespins
• One 50–100 ft. clothesline (cotton or plastic line)
  • Remove from packaging
• 24-count roll of heavy-duty trash bags (33–45-gallon sizes)
• Five N95 particulate respirator dust masks (1–3 mm thickness)
  • No surgical masks
• Two pairs kitchen gloves
  • Durable for multiple uses
  • Remove from packaging
• One pair work gloves
  • Cotton with leather palm or all leather

Assembly Directions

• Place all liquid items on the bottom of the bucket.
• Place remaining items in the bucket fitting them around and between the liquid items.
• Scouring pads and trash bags can be separated in order to fit all items in the bucket.
• Clothespins may also be placed in a small re-sealable bag.
• Secure the lid on the filled bucket.

Important Notes

• All items must be new with the exception of the bucket and lid.
• All cleaning agents must be in liquid form. No powders are accepted.
• If items have been omitted, label bucket. Please indicate which items are missing.
• Sponges have been removed from the list of supplies due to the challenge of locating the non-cellulose sponges that prevent mildew. Non-cellulose sponges will be added to each bucket upon arrival at the affiliate warehouse.
• Do not include any personal notes, money, or additional materials in the kits.
• Contents of kits or the containers of kits should not be imprinted with cartoon characters, advertisements, religious, patriotic, military or camouflage symbols.