Groups on the Central Coast and beyond give relief to Texas 

Photo from National Geographic.

How to help victims of Hurricane Harvey

–The devastating impact Hurricane Harvey caused in regions across Texas has rallied local groups on the Central Coast to donate supplies and aid to those affected. Multiple local groups are encouraging the community to participate in the relief effort, from animal rescue to supply deliveries.

Supply and financial donations

• The Paso Robles branch of Kennedy Club Fitness is holding a diaper drive, hosted by their Go Mommy! program. Collections will be held in the lobby and at the Go Mommy! classes from Aug. 25 to Sept. 8. For more information on how or where to donate, contact Kennedy Club Fitness and Go Mommy!
• The Salvation Army is collecting financial donations and planning for the recovery effort. 100 percent of the donations go straight to the cause by calling 1800SALARMY, texting STORM to 51555, or mailing checks to Salvation Army PO Box 1959, Atlanta GA, 30301 titled “Hurricane Relief.” Three responders in SLO County are ready to aid with recovery in Texas within the next two years.
• The Red Cross is working on a long term operation to relieve the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Financial donations are the best and easiest way to help through the Red Cross, as the relief operation is costly. Donations can be made online at redcross.com, by calling 1800REDCROSS, or texting HARVEY to 90999 for a 10 dollar donation on a phone bill. Local volunteers through the Pacific Coast Chapter may be deployed during the operation; one Santa Barbara volunteer has deployed.
• Part of the People of Faith for Justice coalition, the Atascadero United Methodist Church is collecting donations to give to the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Members of UMCOR are currently in Texas aiding with relief efforts and planning long term projects for post-relief.
• The JJ Watt Foundation is providing relief to the Houston community, of which local Naomi Sampson Westbard is supporting. Sampson Westbard was born and raised in Houston, and family living in Houston are affected. Donations made to the JJ Watt Foundation are guaranteed to go directly to victims in Houston and other affected areas. As of Aug. 31, over 11 million dollars has been raised, with the goal being 15 million dollars.

Animal rescue

• Livermore based organization, Wings of Rescue, is flying shelter pets affected by Hurricane Harvey to safe areas across the nation. As of Aug. 31, 390 pets were flown on four flights, with four more flights planned to areas such as Texas to Oregon, Louisiana to Washington D.C., and more. Financial donations allow for these flights to rescue pets on the ground to allow for shelters in affected areas more room to bring in pets.

Other aid relief

• The California National Guard has sent over 90 air national guardsmen to Texas the week of Aug. 28 to conduct civilian search and rescue missions. The 129th Rescue have been deployed in Texas for the past three hurricanes, with Hurricane Harvey being the most recent.

About the author: News Staff

News staff of the A-Town Daily News wrote and edited this article from local contributors and press releases. Scott Brennan is the publisher of this newspaper and founder of Access Publishing. Connect with him on Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, or follow his blog. He can be reached at [email protected].