September 3 – “Unloading a plane?”

Well, I did something yesterday that I can honestly say I have never done before in my 64 years of life.  I helped unload an airplane.  We were notified by a Seasider who is also connected to several charities that one of them was interested in sending some supplies to the area, but needed a POD (Point of Distribution).  She thought of the church, and Seasiders and Jamaica Beach residents jumped into action. 

The plane arrived at 7:30 or 8 in the morning.  A large crowd of helpers gathered outside the airport gate.  Lighthouse Charities representatives were there as well, to help unload and to pick up the celebrity head of the charity, Glen Beck.  They were hosting him and his staff for a day of touring their facility and of actually doing some boots on the ground house mucking. 

Once we loaded the trailer from Awesome Air in Jamaica Beach and the trailer box from Texas A&M Galveston, we headed out to the church to unload.  Cases of water were stacked in one room along with large boxes that could be slowly emptied later.  Loose good were taken right into the worship center where volunteers had already organized the supplies we received from the families and businesses in Atoka, Oklahoma.  Now they waded into the task of re-organizing and incorporating the new supplies.  Meanwhile more people started coming.  Some were brings more donations.  Some were actually in need and wondered if they could do some shopping.  And I have to say right now that the ones who came to get supplies were incredibly humble and respectful and above all, thankful.  Speaking from experience, it is indeed humbling to be one the receiving end of other people’s generosity. 

So, what do we have available?  A large assortment of men’s socks, underwear, t-shirts, ladies underwear and socks, kids’ underwear and socks, a few jackets and pull-over hoodies, some shoes and flip-flops as well as some rubber boots, dental care items (toothbrushes and toothpaste galore), adult diapers, lots of baby stuff (Much of that will go to the Crisis Pregnancy Center once we can reach them and ascertain where they want us to take it), wipes, and cleaning supplies (Like bleach, contractor garbage bags, detergent.  Boots on the ground teams are taking these out quickly).  Oh, and food.  We have a lot of canned goods as well as things to snack on while working, like beef jerky and trail mix.  Some of our folks are even making sandwiches and giving them away.  At least they were until the stores all ran out of bread. 

What do we still need?  Cleaning supplies: masks, gloves, garbage bags (the regular kitchen sized ones.  Sometimes the contractor bags are too heavy), plastic storage crates and moving boxes (they need a place to put things they salvage), box fans, dehumidifiers, and of course gift cards of all sizes. 

What needs are yet to come?  Because of the indomitable spirit of Texans, some of this list is already needed.  The folks around here just didn’t wait for help; they waded in immediately.  As a result some folks are already ready for things like sheetrock, screws, paint, electrical outlets, wall plates, siding, shingles, doors.  Some will be needing windows, kitchen appliances, help paying their regular month-to-month bills, and even mold remediation. 

Seaside has also begun to receive monetary and gift card donations from all over the country earmarked for Hurricane Harvey relief.  We have set up an account on our books so that the donator will receive full income tax credit and the money will all go toward helping the hurricane affected victims.  It is our heart to use it in one on one situations where we can forego the red tape and touch some lives immediately.  So far we have been careful with our driving so we can conserve gas.  That part of the infrastructure has not yet been restored, either, but that is a problem more widespread than just southeast Texas.  Several plants were inundated with water and were shut down for the storm.  They are just now getting back up to operating.  I’m sure prices will skyrocket, but hopefully the gas will at least be available. 

So what can you do to help?  Sure, donations are good, especially of gift cards and cash.  But be creative.  Our dining room table is full right now of washed and dried and folded clothing that Chris washed for a family.  We’ll deliver them back to their home hopefully this afternoon.  One older fellow and his wife who are involved with the Community Emergency Response Teams came by the church yesterday and offered to deliver items for us to people or to other centers, or to get things from them and bring them to us.  What can you do to help?  Here’s my mantra … Don’t do nothing because you can’t do everything. Do what you can do. 

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Father, thank you for the many people who are doing what they can do.  Continue to touch the lives of people, both those in need and those who are working hard to meets those needs.  Amen.