Let's Bless Houston

Thank you everyone for taking time out of your day to view this campaign. My name is Rich Shirk, and I currently reside in Harrisburg PA. I want to start off by saying this is not for myself or my family. All of your donations will be used for the victims of Harvey in Houston. The money raised will be given to the victims of Harvey. We currently have no relationship with those victims, but our family down in Houston will do all the legwork and help touch people's lives with the donations and spread His love. 

My wife and one son are from Houston (Spring, TX), so we have family all over the city (Spring, Katy, Houston). This catastrophic event, named Hurricane Harvey, has devastated my wife's hometown. It has even caused some flooding in my sister-in-law's home, fortunately they still have their home, some possessions, and most importantly their health and each other. My wife has countless memories all around the city of Houston, and we also made many memories there while we were dating. We also still visit multiple times throughout the year. This city means a lot to us.  So we can't sit around any longer and do nothing.  But being 1,500 miles away, we are limited to what we can do, so this campaign has been started in hopes that we can raise money and help impact some people's lives. Hopefully, they can also receive some hope and feel His love when they receive our donations.

The goal: raise as much money as we possibly can between friends, family, coworkers, and whomever else in our network of connections. Your donations will directly impact the victims of Harvey because they will go towards "charity/donation bags". These bags will be made up of:
- groceries (milk, water, bread, etc.)
- diapers
- baby food
- pet food
- batteries
- hygiene items (deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, etc.)
- any other day to day items they need, they don't have
The items will be purchased (with your donations being sent to our Houston family), and the bags will be assembled by our volunteer family members (my loving in-laws) down in the heart of Houston. Lastly, they will be distributed by our loving family members to the local shelters and families in need.

Recap: Your donations will be sent to our Houston family. Our Houston family will purchase the above necessities and assemble bags and kits. Our Houston family will distribute to shelters and neighborhoods in need.

I figured this is the least we could do, but at least it is something. Unfortunately, I'm not able to head down there and volunteer or I would. No act of kindness is too small, remember that. Your donation, no matter how small, will go a long way for a Houston resident in need. Just think how fortunate we are, right now, in our homes, eating a homecooked meal, feeding our children, feeding our pets, showering, going to sleep in a comfortable bed, and so on and so forth...while 1000s have lost everything, and they are solely relying on these donations. This recovery won't take days, not weeks or months, but it will possibly take years and years for many families.  I chose this donation amount for the amount of miles Harrisburg, PA is from Houston, TX.

PLEASE LET'S DONATE AND BLESS HOUSTON!!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!

Matthew 25: 35-40 - " 'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ "

(This picture was taken outside of The Woodlands church down in Houston.)

I will try to update with photos, receipts and just general information.