There are plenty of ways to help residents who suffered losses after a devastating tornado carved a path of destruction through eastern Williamson County last week.
Cities, organizations and volunteers have already started aiding the community with cleanup and supplies, but more can be done, relief workers said.
On March 21, two twisters touched down northeast of Austin, including one that traveled more than 29 miles from Round Rock to Granger, while also clipping Taylor. Though only minor injuries were reported, officials said at least 1,000 area homes and other structures sustained damage or were destroyed.
“We have many calls from people and organizations who are interested in providing assistance for disaster recovery,” according to a statement from Taylor municipal government’s communications office. “The city of Taylor was fortunate to have relatively little damage within our city limits, but we understand that there may be need in the surrounding communities.”
The city encouraged residents wishing to help to reach out through the Austin Disaster Relief Network, https://adrn.org; Red Cross, https://www.redcross.org/local/texas//central-and-south-texas.html; and Austin’s Salvation Army, https://salvationarmyaustin.org/disaster-services.
Personnel with the Salvation Army’s Taylor Service Unit have already driven across the area distributing food, supplies and gift cards for people picking up the pieces of their damaged homes.
“Every day, we’re going out, giving them what we have that we know they need immediately,” said Stacy Stork, Taylor Service Unit chairman.
With debris still scattered throughout farmland and the countryside, Taylor’s Salvation Army is trying to organize a search party to help retrieve missing items for owners.
“It’s for miles — all their legal documents, all their mementos, their wallets. It’s everything,” Stork said.
People wishing to assist Taylor’s Salvation Army, an independent unit supported through local donations, can drop off funds through the Citizens National Bank drive-thru, 316 N. Main St. For alternative ways to submit funds or gift cards, visit its Facebook page or call 512-365-9093.
In Granger, a benefit has been set up for Saturday, April 2, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Cotton Country Club, 212 E Davilla St., which is hosting the event in collaboration with the city. Music, food, games and more will be offered.
“It’s just going to be a good time,” said Jaime Rae Church, club owner. “We’re going to have some of the families that were impacted. They’re going to be here sharing their story and truly inspiring to see that these people are still smiling and thanking the good Lord above because there were no casualties in this disaster that we had.”
RELIEF CONTACTS
AUSTIN DISASTER RELIEF NETWORK
adrn.org
RED CROSS
www.redcross.org/local/texas//centraland-south-texas.html
AUSTIN’S SALVATION ARMY
salvationarmyaustin.org/disasterservices
