Oak Park Trails October 2017

Krenek Printing sends our thoughts and sympathies to everyone affected by Hurricane Harvey. As a resident of the communities
we serve, we are deeply saddened by the mass flooding and destruction brought to homes, businesses and property. We will
continue to provide personalized subdivision newsletters with information from neighborhood management, surrounding
community groups, and local relief information to support the cleaning, rebuilding, and recovery of the communities in the
wake of Hurricane Harvey. In the story below, a local resident shares what she believes makes our communities amazing…
people willing to help each other by showing one another generosity, community, kindness and humanity. Krenek Printing
agrees that YOU are what makes this city great and we are proud to be part of your local community each month.
Hurricane Harvey and Houstonians
On August 26th, as I ushered my students out of class with a cheerful “See you next week,” many remarked that school would
be closed due to flooding so they would not see me next week. I chuckled while advising them to stop wishing for the return
of summer vacation and not to forget their assignments due Monday. After 4 days of rain, flooding, and the constant reports
of more destruction on the news, I was feeling foolish at my lack of respect for the weather, guilty that my house was dry
when friends and family only miles down the road had lost everything, and generally disheartened at Houston’s situation.
The more I watched the news broadcast the devastation, viewed social media with awful stories of anger and hate, and
began to take inventory of what it would take to get my life back to normal, I felt bitter, annoyed and grumpy. Thankfully, an
eventful trip to the local pharmacy, helped me see a different view of the situation.
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
off my hip, and my 7-year-old complaining about the outing in general, a young man approached us and asked if I needed
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
having trouble locating what I needed on the bare shelves while juggling the kids, diaper bag, pacifier, etc. As he helped me
find the last bottle of off-brand infant pain reliever, I silently prayed my oldest daughter, who was quietly staring down the
young man with furrowed brow, would not ask any loud, inappropriate questions about his long hair, dark nail polish, or
pants that did not sit anywhere near his waist. As he helped me look for the medicine, we made small talk and he disclosed
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
could get back to his house to assess the damage. This whole encounter took less than 3 minutes. I thanked him profusely
and we parted ways. As we drove home, my daughter began to ask her questions, and to my surprise, they had nothing to do
with the young man’s appearance. She wanted to know how he would get the water out of his house; how he would know
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;
and so on. She was very concerned for this young man and his family. I told her about all the organizations that were already
providing for people like the man with things like shelter, food, clothes, and toiletries. When I looked back, my daughter was
crying. She said that she was so happy that everyone wanted to help each other and that she wanted to help too by going
through her clothes and toys when we got home. In that moment, all the negative feelings I was harboring disappeared. I was
reminded that doing things for others and being a decent neighbor is what makes Houston amazing.
I am thankful that young man helped me today. His helpful spirit, despite his desperate situation, helped remind me about
what is important – people. I know Houston has a long road to recovery ahead, but I also know that Houstonians will take on
the challenge with generosity, kindness, compassion and love.
- W. Baecke, Cypress Resident
BLOOD DRIVES
American Red Cross
Carter Blood
South Texas Blood
www.redcross.org/give-blood
www.carterbloodcare.org/donate-blood
www.donatingforlife.org
ACCOMMODATIONS
Airbnb
www.airbnb.com/disaster/hurricaneharveyevacuees
Airbnb is currently offering an urgent accommodations page for
those who are seeking shelter, as well as those who wish to open
their homes to flood victims.
REBUILDING PROJECTS
Rebuilding Together Houston - www.rebuildingtogetherhouston.org
Rebuilding Together is dedicated to the long-term recovery of areas
affected by disasters, including Hurricane Harvey. Serving uninsured
and underinsured, low-income neighbors, this organization is mobilizing
to start the rebuilding process in Houston.
VOLUNTEERING
Volunteer Houston - www.volunteerhou.org
Get plugged in where it counts by registering through the disaster portal.
All Hands Volunteers - www.hands.org
This organization provides a platform to get connected in recovery and rebuilding
efforts. You may sign up to volunteer or make a donation to this cause.
Coalition for The Homeless
www.homelesshouston.org/take-action/donate/
Crisis Cleanup - www.crisiscleanup.org
This organization serves as a backbone organization to other Crisis Cleanup is a collaborative disaster work order management
groups that provide direct services in relation to homelessness. platform, improving coordination, decreasing duplication efforts,
They are routinely updating and providing information on enhancing efficiency and improving the volunteer experience. Volunteer
The shelters Trails with | available October space. 2017
and/or contribute to this organization.
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