Arlington nonprofits, businesses and individuals are displaying overwhelming generosity and support for fellow Texans affected by Hurricane Harvey and the devastating floods that hit the coast.
Monday morning the Junior League of Arlington put a call on their Facebook page for items needed at the Dallas Convention Center mega-shelter. By that afternoon, the organization had filled three trucks that were on their way to Dallas.
"When a catastrophic event happens, we need to rally together and help," said Karrah Pacheco, Community Vice President. "We can't take boats down to the coast, but we've got drives down."
Linda Davis, a retired justice of the peace, dropped off items at the League's Center for Community Service both Tuesday and Wednesday.
"I can't imagine what they're going through," Davis said of the hurricane evacuees. "Maybe we can bring these people back to some kind of normalcy. What little bit I can do, I can."
The outpouring of support from the Arlington community has been overwhelming, Junior League President April Pettitt said.
"It's so nice to see that they want to help others in surrounding areas. We have a community of servant hearts," Pettitt said.
After learning about the Junior League's item drive, which is now extended through Sept. 1, Two Men And A Truck volunteered to loan one their trucks to the cause, as well as deliver the items to Dallas on Friday.
Just down the street from the Junior League, family-owned Mr. B's Burger Pub is also collecting items for Harvey victims through Friday. The restaurant is aiming to fill up two trucks and trailers to take the necessary supplies to Victoria and other small towns.
"It's just on everyone's hearts right now," said Vicki Serenil, co-owner of Mr. B's.
Mission Arlington, a longtime pillar in the community, is also collecting new items such as socks, underwear, towels, washcloths and more. The organization has already set up a store where evacuees can find whatever they need, as well as provided gas cards for evacuees who need to get to the Dallas emergency shelters. The nonprofit is also taking part in daily meetings with the City's Office of Emergency Management in case the State of Texas asks Arlington to open an emergency shelter. If that happens, Mission Arlington will provide donated items to people staying in the Arlington shelter.
"That's what we do. Take care of people in need," said Tillie Burgin, Mission Arlington's executive director.
For more information about what items are being collected, visit the Junior League's Facebook page and Mission Arlington's website.
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