I'm headed SoCal --> Houston to help rebuild a school

A bit of a long read, but please take the time to do so!

Copied from my BookFace page (mostly)...

Hurricane Harvey came and went and did its thing while I was out exploring UT and CO. My only knowledge of it was a general awareness that there was a storm in TX. When I got back home, my wife encouraged me to read a friend's Facebook page to get myself caught up. That one friend's posts were all I needed to get completely caught up on everything that happened -- her personal narrative and own pictures could have easily been the full storm coverage on any national network news channel.

My friend lives in Friendswood, TX, located about halfway between Houston and the Gulf. While her house miraculously survived the storm with zero damage or flooding, the same cannot be said for her neighbors 50 yards away in any direction. She spent the days of the storm and the first few days after it passed looking after and caring for about 150 senior citizens evacuated from a nearby hospital -- spending about 22+ hours each day making sure they were comfortable and calm. Her daughters' school suffered about two feet of flood damage, with much of the materials lost and damaged, and the building requiring extensive repairs; once the waters receded enough, she has been there over 16 hours every day ripping out drywall and hauling destroyed materials out of the school (demo is NOT her thing).

I work in construction, and have all my own tools. I kept mulling over the idea of loading everything and heading to TX, but was hesitant due to obligations at home (I've been getting new clients calling me for paid work almost daily). Sure enough, everything started falling into place (a couple clients scheduled far out cancelled, other work being shorter than expected, even a couple songs randomly popping up on Pandora), until my answer was pretty damn obvious.

On September 20th, I will be heading to Friendswood to help rebuild my friend's school; any other places I can be put to work I will gladly jump in. I'll load all my tools into my truck, and go by myself. I expect to be back home October 8th.

I need your help.

I may need to borrow a cargo trailer, in case I have a lot of donations to pick up along the way. Do you have, or know anyone that has, a cargo trailer I can borrow for three weeks?
Or perhaps you have a connection at a rental truck company (Ryder, Penske, etc) where I could "rent" a cargo truck at zero cost? I have a current CDL-A, if that matters.
Or maybe you have a larger truck than my Tacoma, one that might handle this kind of trip a little better, that you would let me borrow?

I am willing to haul as many donated items as I can fit (pending trailer/truck acquisition). I am also willing to stop anywhere along Interstate 10 between Los Angeles and Houston in order to pick up donations.

Word has it that the most sought-after donations are NOT clothing, as much of that may end up in the Red Cross general "fund." Furniture, especially simple stuff -- think Ikea -- would be the most appreciated. However, I will not turn down anything you give me (unless you and I both know it's trash)!

While I'm gone, I'm sure my wife would love an occasional meal dropped off, or maybe a play date or two for the kids.

This is entirely my own idea, and I'm not affiliating myself with any organization. This whole trip is coming out of my already-thin pockets. While I'm not seeking sponsorship, I absolutely will NOT turn down any funds anyone is willing to give me to help defray my costs (lots of fuel!). After all, I'm having to turn away paying clients for three weeks in order to do this. I am not expecting nor asking to be paid for my work once in Friendswood.

And if you think I should start a GoFundMe drive...well, maybe. Or perhaps you could start one for me, if you've done them before?

Lastly, skip any hero talk. I'm just doing this because I should, and can, and it gives me a good excuse to get out of Hell/SoCal and do something I love that helps others, too. I'm not giving the worn-out "just doing my job," but in a way, this is all just routine.



The school's Amazon shopping list, and , if you wanted to donate.

 

And for you space geeks...

Remember the ESA astronaut who almost drowned in space? "Fish bowl guy"?
It's his family.

 

If @tcBob Is okay with it...

My neighbor . Thanks in advance!

 

I'll donate some money for the cause....contingent upon getting your spindle out of my garage and back into your possession.

 

I literally have a Post-It note on my dash that says, in giant capital letters, SPINDLE.
It's been there for two weeks.

 

I had sent you a PM earlier, but I guess you didn't get it???

In short, my sister has 2x trash bags full of clothes and some shoes (NOTE: the shoes are used, but in good condition).

I know you say that they "don't need clothes...", but if you want? She was going to send them, somehow, over there anyways instead of donating them to her church simply because of what happened and people lost LOTS over there!!!

Let me know if you still want them?

 

I did get it, but was on my way to bed.

Like I said, I am NOT going to say No to any donations. If you or someone you know is collecting something, anything, to help with #HurricaneHarvey relief, I will find some way to take it with me.


I'm still looking for a trailer or box truck "donation"......zero-cost use for three weeks.

 

Okay. Yeah, just wanted to make sure I'm not on some "deleted/ignore list" LOL!!!

Regarding the box truck, I did discuss that with her as well. I will try to keep up on asking around for you!!! Maybe even see if she can start asking around with some of her church members?

I just wish "I" could do more bro!!! I think it was Albertsons that I donated some money through at the check out for "Harvey victims"??? I mean, I'm trying... just no job/money for the moment although I'm waiting on a go for an interview soon, just don't know when?

Anyways, I'll try to do my part in, at the very least, asking around for a box truck that can be borrowed.

 

My friend's words this morning...



Article: Houston Does Not Need Your Stuff

Sorry for the f-bomb, but can I get an A-fu*king-men? This article one hundred times over.. we don't need left over clothes you are never going to wear in a million years. We don't need diapers or formula that we need a warehouse and volunteers to staff and pass out at specific days and hours. We don't need old and broken toys your kids don't want anymore. We need bodies that can be there in person to help tear down and re-build. If you can't be here in person, we will take what we can get, but monetary donations are best.. please read the article and look at the links I have added [edited to remove her GoFundMe page......I feel I'm already pushing my luck on TW by putting mine up]. One is for money, one is for specified supplies the teachers have requested.
Thank you! ❤️

Teachers' List of Supplies Needed

 

Soooooooo, tell my sister to go ahead and donate to her church then because I'm pretty sure the locals can use the help/relief?! It is starting to get colder in the mornings. I was actually freezing my a$$ off this morning in Santa Ana!!!

It also sounds as if looking for that "box truck" really isn't all that crucial now as well?

HAHAHAHAHA, I'm confused???!!! Sorry for my stupidity on the matter bro!!!

 

Y'know what, how about this.

BOOKS

Their new library was the shining jewel of the school, the part that parents, students, teachers, and the community held up with the most pride.

Anything at the roughly two-foot level and down has had to be thrown out. Think of how many books that is.

So how about books that 3yo through 6th grade would enjoy? They don't have to be new, just average or better.

If someone gets me a truckload of kids' books, I will find a way to get them there, even if I have to pay for a truck or trailer myself.

 

And to start you off...

My son is 3rd grade. He loves the Hank The Cowdog series. He's started Harry Potter.

So maybe start there?

 

I'll see what my sister can come up with as well? She used to babysit aLOT!!! Maybe the church members might be able to pitch in as well?

 

Just a reminder...

I am leaving Wednesday at dawn.
IF YOU ARE DONATING GOODS and want me to take them with me, please try to get them to me by MONDAY the 18th!! No later than Tuesday the 19th!!
I can pick up if you're in South OC.
Please let me know if you have something for me (including if you live along the I-10 corridor and need me to stop by). https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ls/ref=cm_sw_r_fa?ie=UTF8&lid=14WJX0Q41CWYU&ref_=cm_sw_r_fa&ty=wishlist

 

Im in limbo right now of whether or not I would be getting located out at Houston as well for field work. If so, we should get in touch as I will likely have my truck out there.