Hurricane Harvey relief for UHC KA

I hope you are all well.  Today is actually my first day sitting at my desk since the storm and I wanted to thank all of you for your love, concern, hard work and partnership through an extremely challenging time – and it is far from over for several of us.  It is emotional for me to witness the loss we have seen and also very emotional to see the way you all care for each other. 

 

After the rain stopped and I cleaned my up the mess at my house, I found myself looking for ways to help you all or any of my neighbors – especially those that had near total loss.  I say that because I think we all went through some of the same things.  It was therapeutic for me to help because it crushed me to see all the homes around me with huge piles of sheetrock and cabinets, flooring and paneling, furniture and clothing and so many of the mementos that a family accumulates set on the curb for someone to haul away as contaminated trash.  Thankfully, all of our team is safe and healthy.

 

The devastation was so widespread that it is hard to describe to people that weren’t here to witness.  The extent of the damage was so overwhelming sometimes that it was paralyzing because you didn’t know where to start or who to help.  It helped me to make it smaller and help the people I know or the ones that were close (close was also a necessity due to travel issues for awhile).  I needed to help and was grateful for the chances to pitch in.  Again, I say all this because I think my experience was probably a lot like yours.  You’re on the email because I know it matters to you and you have reached out – thanks!!  I am asking for your assistance on behalf of the people impacted on our team because it is a place to start.

 

 

So today we were talking and we want to help some of those close to us.  I wanted to enlist your support and provide you with an opportunity that allows you to help someone specific and close.

 

For Doris’ son Jonathan, 11, who lost all his things;

For Patrice’s son Lucas, 4, who lost all his things;

For Marcy, who lost all her things – her home was so bad it has been condemned and will be demolished;

For Jackie, who lost most of her things – her home is likely to be condemned also but probably not a place she wants to return to…

 

We are going to try to get together next Friday, 9-22-17,  and have sort of a supplemental “birthday party” for the boys to give them a “light” in troubling times.  Some gifts and treats to set them on a new track.  Something similar for Jackie and Marcy.   We will send out a list of things in the next day or two if you want to go get something specific.   For our teammates in NTX, CTX, OK, KS, CT and MN, if you want to share with your teams and solicit donations we are happy to have you send anything you want to help, money, gift cards or whatever.  You can send to me.

 

The weather is beautiful here and it’s not raining.  Doris will eventually get to move back into her house in several months and will have to purchase new vehicles.  Patrice may be in the same boat but she may also be contemplating moving and looking for a new vehicle.  Marcy is still trying to find a place to live and new vehicle.  Tomorrow Marcy (with help from some of you) will be attempting to wash the mold out of her clothes with a product called Oduban that many of us are learning about for the first time.  (Yeah, she was just allowed a chance to go back and try to retrieve her things)  We’re keeping our fingers crossed that she can save some of her clothes.  Jackie is also looking for a place to live and a new vehicle and her own date with Oduban – but Duchess the cat is good.

 

It ain’t over yet and neither is my need to find a way help our team.  I know you feel the same way and I wanted to give you an outlet.  Let me know if you have questions.  Thank you for your time, consideration and continued support!!!