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Krenek Printing sends our thoughts and sympathies to everyone affected by Hurricane Harvey. As a resident of the communities<br />
we serve, we are deeply saddened by the mass flooding and destruction brought to homes, businesses and property. We will<br />
continue to provide personalized subdivision newsletters with information from neighborhood management, surrounding<br />
community groups, and local relief information to support the cleaning, rebuilding, and recovery of the communities in the<br />
wake of Hurricane Harvey. In the story below, a local resident shares what she believes makes our communities amazing…<br />
people willing to help each other by showing one another generosity, community, kindness and humanity. Krenek Printing<br />
agrees that YOU are what makes this city great and we are proud to be part of your local community each month.<br />
Hurricane Harvey and Houstonians<br />
On August 26th, as I ushered my students out of class with a cheerful “See you next week,” many remarked that school would<br />
be closed due to flooding so they would not see me next week. I chuckled while advising them to stop wishing for the return<br />
of summer vacation and not to forget their assignments due Monday. After 4 days of rain, flooding, and the constant reports of<br />
more destruction on the news, I was feeling foolish at my lack of respect for the weather, guilty that my house was dry when<br />
friends and family only miles down the road had lost everything, and generally disheartened at Houston’s situation. The more<br />
I watched the news broadcast the devastation, viewed social media with awful stories of anger and hate, and began to take<br />
inventory of what it would take to get my life back to normal, I felt bitter, annoyed and grumpy. Thankfully, an eventful trip to<br />
the local pharmacy, helped me see a different view of the situation.<br />
After 4 days of rain with a sick baby, I was out of baby fever reducer. With frazzled nerves, my fevered, fussy 1-year-old hanging<br />
off my hip, and my 7-year-old complaining about the outing in general, a young man approached us and asked if I needed<br />
help. It was clear he didn’t work for the store as he was not in uniform and didn’t have on a name tag, but he could see I was<br />
having trouble locating what I needed on the bare shelves while juggling the kids, diaper bag, pacifier, etc. As he helped me<br />
find the last bottle of off-brand infant pain reliever, I silently prayed my oldest daughter, who was quietly staring down the<br />
young man with furrowed brow, would not ask any loud, inappropriate questions about his long hair, dark nail polish, or<br />
pants that did not sit anywhere near his waist. As he helped me look for the medicine, we made small talk and he disclosed<br />
that his family had been rescued a few hours before and he was thankful to be safely staying at a relative’s home until he<br />
could get back to his house to assess the damage. This whole encounter took less than 3 minutes. I thanked him profusely<br />
and we parted ways. As we drove home, my daughter began to ask her questions, and to my surprise, they had nothing to do<br />
with the young man’s appearance. She wanted to know how he would get the water out of his house; how he would know<br />
it was safe to go home and how he would get there; how he would get the money to buy more things if his stuff was ruined;<br />
and so on. She was very concerned for this young man and his family. I told her about all the organizations that were already<br />
providing for people like the man with things like shelter, food, clothes, and toiletries. When I looked back, my daughter was<br />
crying. She said that she was so happy that everyone wanted to help each other and that she wanted to help too by going<br />
through her clothes and toys when we got home. In that moment, all the negative feelings I was harboring disappeared. I was<br />
reminded that doing things for others and being a decent neighbor is what makes Houston amazing.<br />
I am thankful that young man helped me today. His helpful spirit, despite his desperate situation, helped remind me about<br />
what is important – people. I know Houston has a long road to recovery ahead, but I also know that Houstonians will take on<br />
the challenge with generosity, kindness, compassion and love.<br />
- W. Baecke, Cypress Resident<br />
BLOOD DRIVES<br />
American Red Cross<br />
Carter Blood<br />
South Texas Blood<br />
www.redcross.org/give-blood<br />
www.carterbloodcare.org/donate-blood<br />
www.donatingforlife.org<br />
ACCOMMODATIONS<br />
Airbnb<br />
www.airbnb.com/disaster/hurricaneharveyevacuees<br />
Airbnb is currently offering an urgent accommodations page for<br />
those who are seeking shelter, as well as those who wish to open<br />
their homes to flood victims.<br />
Coalition for The Homeless<br />
www.homelesshouston.org/take-action/donate/<br />
This organization serves as a backbone organization to other<br />
groups that provide direct services in relation to homelessness.<br />
They are routinely updating and providing information on<br />
shelters with available space.<br />
REBUILDING PROJECTS<br />
Rebuilding Together Houston - www.rebuildingtogetherhouston.org<br />
Rebuilding Together is dedicated to the long-term recovery of areas<br />
affected by disasters, including Hurricane Harvey. Serving uninsured<br />
and underinsured, low-income neighbors, this organization is mobilizing<br />
to start the rebuilding process in Houston.<br />
VOLUNTEERING<br />
Volunteer Houston - www.volunteerhou.org<br />
Get plugged in where it counts by registering through the disaster portal.<br />
All Hands Volunteers - www.hands.org<br />
This organization provides a platform to get connected in recovery and rebuilding<br />
efforts. You may sign up to volunteer or make a donation to this cause.<br />
Crisis Cleanup - www.crisiscleanup.org<br />
Crisis Cleanup is a collaborative disaster work order management<br />
platform, improving coordination, decreasing duplication efforts,<br />
enhancing efficiency and improving the volunteer experience. Volunteer<br />
and/or contribute to this organization.