Hurricane Harvey

Houston Under Water

I moved to Houston in 7th grade. When I say Houston, I really mean Spring, TX, a smaller suburb of Houston about 45 minutes from downtown. But that is what Houston is, a massive, vast area made up of suburbs that all call themselves “Houston”. All of those towns make up the majority of who was hit the hardest during Hurricane Harvey.

Watching the news nonstop the past couple of days has been heart wrenching. Seeing places I used to frequent and homes of people I know completely submerged in water has been completely surreal. I’ve had a special connection to the rescue and relief efforts because of my in laws (pictured above). Kyle’s parents live in a building downtown right across the street from the George R. Brown Convention center that has turned into the largest shelter in the area with over 10,000 displaced Houstonians.

My mother in law Lisa Sailor has been a philanthropist for a while advocating for Multiple Sclerosis, which put her in a wheel chair many years ago. She was on the front lines of relief efforts Sunday night when the worst was just beginning. She is such a small little person but the heart and energy that comes out of her truly amazes me. She was put in charge of Women and Children at the shelter and her emotional words to our family have almost been to hard too hear. Stories of multiple women going into labor at the shelter while people are being airlifted in. Stories of single moms with multiple children standing in feet of water not wanting to leave their home for fear of losing everything they have. She is such a fierce woman and I can only imagine her wheeling around that convention center running shit like the boss she is, but also stopping to comfort and cry with those who are hurting.

My amazing cousin Lajon who is a NICU nurse downtown is going on day 8 of being trapped in her hospital without the ability to leave. Her recovery team is flooded without the ability to relieve her so she has continued to care for NICU babies nonstop during this disaster. She has no signs of getting out even before the weekend.

I have been in awe of the heartfelt generosity that the entire country has demonstrated in the past week. My best friend who still lives in Houston collected much needed baby items and was turned away by every shelter she went to because their needs were already so fulfilled. Imagine that. People wanting to give but being turned away because people have given TOO MUCH already. If anything, in the dark days of the past couple of months this event has showed us that there is still so much good in our world. Watching the countless rescue missions, a large majority of which were carried out by every day people in their own small boats has been tragic and beautiful at the same time. Houston will rebuild, there’s no doubt about that. But in the meantime to see people come together when I have had so much anxiety about what our country is becoming is honestly somewhat relieving.

How To Help

Although there are so many ways to help the people of Houston, if you are not in a position to physically be in the city, monetary donations are the best way to help at the moment.
DO NOT send clothes. The shelters of Houston are so inundated with donated clothing, volunteers are having a hard time keeping up with sorting all the items. Also, as my mother in law stated, it is not worth the postage you would have to pay, it is better to just donate the money if you are far away.

The following links are the best ways to know your money will go DIRECTLY to the people who are in need after the storm:

YouCaring.Com/JJWatt

Although I am far from a football fan, my husband had always root for the Texans and JJ Watt has been on the ground coordinating relief efforts himself. You can be sure that the money donated to this site will directly impact the lives of those displaced by the flood.

Click here to donate directly to the people of Houston

Texas Forever

Everyone knows Joanna and Chip Gaines are Texans through and through and I was so happy to see they immediately stepped up. I ordered this super cute shirt yesterday and 100% of the proceeds will to go Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts.

Click here to buy and donate to Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts

Houston SPCA

Although I can’t even get into all the emotions I’ve felt over the left behind animals, there are also ways to donate to the animal relief efforts that will directly impact the well being of displaced, abandoned, and currently sheltered animals in Houston.

Click here to donate to the Houston SPCA

Voda Boutique

The owner of the new downtown Raleigh boutique Voda and I are hosting a fundraising event on Monday September 4th. With a $10 donation to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund you will be entered to win a $500 gift card to the boutique. I will be posting more information soon but would love to see any Raleigh folks there!