Hurricane Harvey
Our Houston Family is hurting. WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER. LET’S SISTER UP, WARRIORS!
In the aftermath of the disastrous Hurricane Harvey in Texas, at least 10 people have died; up to 30,000 Texans will likely be forced to live in shelters; and — unbelievably — the flooding is only expected to get worse.We’ve all been watching the news and seeing the devastated families — a single mom crying “I’m just thinking about all the things I worked so hard to provide the kids and my family . . . Now it’s all gone”; a dozen seniors in wheelchairs sitting in waist-high waters in a nursing home awaiting rescue – it’s all excruciating.We’ve also seen the best of humanity in Texas –citizens braving the floods in kayaks and airboats to rescue their neighbors from drowning; people banding together in the kind of resilience, courage and togetherness that seems to show itself uniquely in times of unspeakable loss.Together Rising stands with Texas. We know that they not only need our love and support now, but in the weeks, months and years ahead.Today, Together Rising made a $20,000 donation to the Houston Food Bank, and we are challenging all of us to do more for our brothers and sisters in Texas.WE WILL MATCH EVERY DONATION YOU MAKE UP TO $100,000. So, your donation will be doubled and every penny we receive from you will go to those suffering in Texas.Please let us not allow the fact that we cannot fix everything keep us from fixing something. Give a little with great love. That’s how we heal the world.You can give one-time or monthly donations here: https://app.mobilecause.com/form/xVzQ0AOr Text TR4TEXAS to 41444 to get a prompt to make a tax-deductible donation.
LOVE.G & Together Rising #TogetherRising
UPDATE:
Three weeks ago, after Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas, you raised more than $320,000 through Together Rising, which included a $100,000 match by Together Rising of your generous donations. Your money has been on the ground doing the good, holy work of loving those suffering as a result of the storm. Our diligence team, Katherine, Gloria & Natalie, searched very carefully to find the best places for your dollars to serve our sisters and brothers throughout the entire affected region, and here is what your money is doing right now:*
You gave $100,000 to Texas Diaper Bank: The Texas Diaper Bank was established to meet the basic needs of babies, children with disabilities, and seniors in addressing the diaper-gap for those most vulnerable and in crisis. Generally speaking, in these types of crises the big organizations don’t actually bring diapers in, but focus on other services. Those affected are in critical need of diapers, wipes and hygiene packs, and the Texas Diaper Bank is the only organization specifically focused on providing for these needs – immediately and for post-recovery to families displaced long term.*
You gave $20,000 to #HappyPeriod:Menstrual supplies during a crises fall into the same category as diapers – meaning that most relief organizations do not provide them. In fact, pads and tampons are rarely donated and not required to be included in any shelter’s operations budget. #HappyPeriod is a small social movement of women providing menstrual hygiene kits – the initiative supports anyone that is homeless, low-income, and/or living in poverty, including LGBT, non-binary, teens, veterans, and disabled, and they are doing vital work in the storm-ravaged region.*
You gave $200,000 to Direct Relief:Direct Relief’s mission is to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergency situations by mobilizing and providing essential medical resources needed for their care. Direct Relief focuses on maternal & child health; disease prevention & treatment; emergency preparedness & response; and strengthening health systems. They are doing courageous, essential work throughout Texas and you are saving lives by funding them.In the weeks since you raised and Together Rising mobilized these funds in response to Harvey, we have continued to be devastated by hurricanes. Irma, Jose, and Maria have left a path of terror and broken lives – families dead, communities decimated, and lifetimes of hard work and deep love washed away.It is scary, overwhelming, heartbreaking. And yet. Please let us not allow the fact that we cannot fix everything keep us from fixing something. Let us continue to give a little with great love. That’s how we show up for our brothers and sisters – that’s how we heal the world.