Relief efforts are continuing in south Texas, and Webster Parish citizens are doing what they can to help victims of Hurricane Harvey.
In Springhill, efforts are underway to collect supplies to send to south Texas to help those in need. Gina Hanson said supplies will be delivered as long as there is a need for them. They are collecting baby items such as diapers, baby wipes, clothing and formula. Other items are nonperishable food, water, can openers, blankets, hygiene products and cleaning supplies. Gary Don Tyler and Chris Tyler are loading up trailers with supplies from Springhill and Shreveport, she said.
“They said they would be making as many trips as needed, and they will provide the gas and the trailer,” she said.
Michelle Benson Lewis is also collecting pet food for dogs and cats. It can be canned wet food or dry food, she said.
“I am in contact with several in need,” Lewis said. “A truck is leaving from the Springhill Civic Center at 10 a.m., and I have coordinated for delivery to the area in need of pet food.”
Items are being collected at GiGi’s Tees, located on Coyle St., the Springhill Civic Center and Piggly Wiggly, all in Springhill.
Gary Tyler, an honorary member of the Cajun Navy of south Louisiana, left Wednesday morning with a truck and trailer load of supplies to take to hurricane victims. He said he would be with the Cajun Navy delivering supplies into the hands of the victims.
“What that means is I’m not willing to turn it over to some would-be authority for something to rip these people off,” he said.
“We’ve seen some people down there getting ripped off. I’m prepared to stay one day, two days or four days.”
Tyler said he would return to Springhill as many times as necessary to help deliver supplies as long as they are needed.
Members of First United Methodist Church will soon begin to collect supplies such as water, nonperishable food, hygiene products and cleaning buckets to deliver to Houston and south Texas.
Sanders Machine is also delivering needed items to victims in Houston. They are still accepting nonperishable foods, diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, toiletries, distilled water to mix baby formula in, first aid supplies, and snack foods. Donations can be dropped off at their shop, located at 200 Corporate Drive in the South Webster Industrial District on U.S. Highway 371 towards Sibley.
First Baptist Church in Sibley is also still accepting supplies at their Gospel Community House, located at 311 North Main St., in Sibley. The building will be open 24 hours a day for people to drop off their contributions. They, too, are accepting water, diapers, formula, cups, hygiene products and cleaning supplies.