Authorities say they are up to 70% containment on the Central Texas wildfire that has consumed more than 34,000 acres and over 1,500 homes. But they also are worried that stiff winds with gusts up to 25 miles per hour Tuesday afternoon and later in the week could cause flare-ups. Fires outside Bastrop, about 25 miles from Austin, have been burning for 10 days and have destroyed more homes than any in Texas history. Below are some ideas on how to help victims of this fire and others around the state:
- Disaster Relief And Disaster Training (DRADT) specializes in responding to disasters immediately and share the needs of survivors via social media; allowing you to join the relief efforts. Visit www.texasfirerelief.com for information on how to help.
- Houston-based Friends for Life brought in its mobile shelter to help treat injured Bastrop animals until their owners can be found. Make a donation to them here.
- Pearland High School is collecting items to provide relief to our Texas neighbors displaced by the devastating wildfires. The community is invited to join in this effort to help these families by donating the items listed belYou may bring your contribution to the Sheryl Searcy Ninth Grade Center Choir Room (room 1500), between 7:00 a.m.-3:00p.m. on school days.If you prefer, you may make a monetary contribution to benefit theTexas Wildfire Relief Fund. Please make your check payable to PHS, and notateTexas Wildfire on the memo line. The drive ends on Friday, September 23, 2011.
- Buy this shirt and 100% of profits will benefit the AmericanRed Cross with their efforts in Texas.
- Friends of Texas Wildlife supports the rehabilitation of native Texas wildlife and the promotion of co-existence of wildlife and humans through education. Go here to find out how to support their efforts through donations or volunteering.
- The Houston-area Red Cross has opened 3 shelters around Houston to assist over 130 people. For updates, to volunteer or to help by giving a financial donation, click here.
- This new site has been set up to keep the public updated on information on the wildfires.
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- Tuesday night, El Real Tex-Mex will present “Pray for Rain” a four-course interactive dinner to benefit the wildfire victims. Chef/owner Bryan Caswell and Underbelly’s Chris Shepherd will team up for create a “Texas-style” menu, and Hay Merchant’s Kevin Floyd will contribute margaritas and drink pairings. Windsor Village United Methodist Church pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell will also be present to open the evening with a prayer. The dinner tariff is $85 per person, including beer and margaritas, and the dinner begins at 7 p.m. with cocktails served for half an hour beforehand. Reservations are required, and all proceeds from the dinner will go to Society of Samaritan, a local Magnolia organization that Caswell and Shepherd came into contact with while bringing foodstuffs to Waller and Montgomery counties on Friday.
- To help local farmers affected by the Texas wildfires, Urban Harvest has set up a Wildfire Farm Relief Fund (WFRF). The public can make donations to the WFRF fund and to buy their products, which will all help support the farmers’ day-to-day lives. Checks should be written to Urban Harvest and 100 percent of these donations will go directly to the farmers. Checks, cash or credit card donations are tax deductible and can be made at any of the Urban Harvest Farmers Markets, or mail checks c/o Urban Harvest, 2311 Canal, Suite 200, Houston TX 77003.
