Staff at City Vet White Rock sort donations for Hurricane Harvey animals. (Photo by Emily Charrier)
According to volunteers at Samuell-Grand Recreation center, the neighborhood has responded with an overwhelming amount of support for the evacuees at the makeshift shelter. Red Cross workers said that as of Wednesday afternoon, the center has more supplies and volunteers than they need, and at times good intentions can cause problems in the name of disaster relief.
The East Dallas recreation center was teeming with supplies, evacuees and volunteers on Wednesday afternoon, as haircuts were being given outside. If you would like to volunteer, but don’t show up to Samuell-Grand. Instead, visit voly.org to sign up for a shift. See below to learn more about how to volunteer.
A big thanks to those of you who are interested in volunteering w/ #RedCross. Hear from our Volunteer Services team on next steps. #harvey pic.twitter.com/zeny2ntSkf
— American Red Cross (@RedCross) August 29, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Rescue organizations across East Dallas are working to send as many supplies as possible to the animals caught in Hurricane Harey’s wake. USA Today reports that in some areas, 60 animals an hour are being brought to makeshift shelters. As much as possible, rescuers are trying to keep animals in place to allow evacuees time to retrieve their lost pets. But those animals are in need of food and bedding (including pillows, blankets and traditional pet beds), which can be donated to City Vet White Rock at 7324 Gaston (in the Lakeview Centre). The vet is working with rescuers who are ferrying the donations to shelters along the coast.
Robyn L. Harris, a spokeswoman for the Dallas Independent School District, said that students who stay in Dallas due to Harvey will be classified as homeless and that the district is ready to provide them with psychological counseling and health services. According to Dallas ISD trustee Miguel Solis, school supplies can be donated to his office at 2017 Young St., suite 101 during weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There will also be boxes and bins to collect items at the entrance to Lakewood Elementary, the Lakewood Starbucks, J.L. Long Middle School and Lakehill Preparatory for diapers, baby wipes, school uniforms, and school supplies. These will go towards victims of Harvey both in Dallas and along the Texas coast. See the school supply list here.
