A Man and a Boat Headed to TX
Donation protected
The disaster in Texas is unreal. Like many people, Mike and I are typical 30 somethings that have been glued to the news, weather channels, and social media feeds about the disaster. Last night, Mike showed me a map of people who are pinning their homes and their loved ones' homes who need rescuing in the Houston area. We read blurbs about women in labor, elderly without oxygen, young families running out of food. It is a nightmare and people's lives are being ruined. Thousands of people have been rescued, but thousands more are still stranded and the weather is not letting up. More flooding, more levees broke, more people in harm's way.
This morning, I woke up early for work and Mike was already back reading the news. He told me he felt an unshakeable calling to help these disaster victims. He HAD to help. He told himself to sleep on it and see how he felt in the morning. The morning came, and Mike was still driven to go to Houston. I supported him and said "be safe" about a million times.
At 9:30 am, we were out the door with Colton in tow. We headed to our local Bass Pro Shop in Colorado Springs and purchased a 15 foot flat bottom "jon" boat, 9.9 HP outboard motor, and a trailor. It's 1 pm and he's on the road to Houston. He is determined and ready to help however he can. Mike is an outdoorsman, past lifeguard, previous search and rescue volunteer, eagle scout, ham radio operator, and keeper of many useful skills.
He has some idea of where to meet up with other volunteers, but if you know of a person or area in desperate need, please comment and I'll send the information along.
This Go Fund Me page is to update friends and family on what is happening with the Harvey disaster and Mike's journey. We are asking for donations to offset part of the cost of the boat, motor, and trailor. When Mike returns, we will sell the boat and give all money to disaster efforts. To be clear, you are NOT buying us a boat. We are also raising money to donate to a person or organization Mike encounters in Texas that could really use some help.
Thank you all for your generous support with “A Man and a Boat Headed to TX”. Our fundraising is concluded with over $1,800!! I wanted to give you all an update on where the money is going. I sold the boat at a discounted price to a person involved in the G300 veterans organization that I worked with in Beaumont and Port Arthur. G300 is a newly formed 501-C3 organization that provides assistance to veterans with a focus on transitioning veterans to civilian life and helping with associated challenges. The boat will be staying near Beaumont, where it will be used for outings, or if other rescue operations are need in the future. They are an outstanding group of individuals and I feel fortunate to have teamed up with them in Texas. Your contributions went to offset part of the cost of hte boat.
Carly and I decided to donate $200 of the funds we raised to the Houston Humane Society, and $200 to DonorsChoose to help teachers re-build their classrooms, in addition to the supplies and donations we made while in the disaster area. I truly believe that no amount of donations can replace the service and assistance the volunteers directly provided to people and animals in need. This was a life-changing experience for me, and I have much more perspective on what is important and lasting in my own life.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!
With love,
Mike Carly, and Colton
This morning, I woke up early for work and Mike was already back reading the news. He told me he felt an unshakeable calling to help these disaster victims. He HAD to help. He told himself to sleep on it and see how he felt in the morning. The morning came, and Mike was still driven to go to Houston. I supported him and said "be safe" about a million times.
At 9:30 am, we were out the door with Colton in tow. We headed to our local Bass Pro Shop in Colorado Springs and purchased a 15 foot flat bottom "jon" boat, 9.9 HP outboard motor, and a trailor. It's 1 pm and he's on the road to Houston. He is determined and ready to help however he can. Mike is an outdoorsman, past lifeguard, previous search and rescue volunteer, eagle scout, ham radio operator, and keeper of many useful skills.
He has some idea of where to meet up with other volunteers, but if you know of a person or area in desperate need, please comment and I'll send the information along.
This Go Fund Me page is to update friends and family on what is happening with the Harvey disaster and Mike's journey. We are asking for donations to offset part of the cost of the boat, motor, and trailor. When Mike returns, we will sell the boat and give all money to disaster efforts. To be clear, you are NOT buying us a boat. We are also raising money to donate to a person or organization Mike encounters in Texas that could really use some help.
Thank you all for your generous support with “A Man and a Boat Headed to TX”. Our fundraising is concluded with over $1,800!! I wanted to give you all an update on where the money is going. I sold the boat at a discounted price to a person involved in the G300 veterans organization that I worked with in Beaumont and Port Arthur. G300 is a newly formed 501-C3 organization that provides assistance to veterans with a focus on transitioning veterans to civilian life and helping with associated challenges. The boat will be staying near Beaumont, where it will be used for outings, or if other rescue operations are need in the future. They are an outstanding group of individuals and I feel fortunate to have teamed up with them in Texas. Your contributions went to offset part of the cost of hte boat.
Carly and I decided to donate $200 of the funds we raised to the Houston Humane Society, and $200 to DonorsChoose to help teachers re-build their classrooms, in addition to the supplies and donations we made while in the disaster area. I truly believe that no amount of donations can replace the service and assistance the volunteers directly provided to people and animals in need. This was a life-changing experience for me, and I have much more perspective on what is important and lasting in my own life.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!
With love,
Mike Carly, and Colton
Organizer
Carly Hester
Organizer
Elbert, CO
