September 6, 2017

AF Community

Support Your Friends in Houston

By: Noelle Mandell

I am in awe of the charitable spirit exhibited by people around the country in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. As the president of America’s Future Houston Chapter, watching my city succumb to this disaster has been painstaking, but seeing how people have come together to help in response has been truly moving.

Though the storm has passed, dealing with the wreckage remains an ongoing battle. Many of our friends and family members have no choice but to start over with very little. They face being displaced from their homes for over a year due to flooding in areas that are still under mandatory evacuation to this day.

Texans and Americans come together in times of need. We’ve been working on supply collection, as well as rescue and recovery efforts, since this tragedy began. We are vamping up our efforts and are asking you to join us.

The leaders of our chapter have put together a list of supplies based on the needs of people on the ground. These supplies will help people in Houston and the surrounding area clean out their homes, rebuild their lives, and have food to eat during this trying time. If you’d like to contribute to our efforts and are located in Texas, you can reach out to me to make a contribution in person, and I will personally help facilitate that. Alternatively, you can make purchases to be sent to us directly from this Amazon wishlist. There are items ranging from $2 and up, and any contribution helps.

If you haven’t already and would prefer to contribute monetarily, please consider donating to the JJ Watt Foundation. JJ Watt, a defensive end for the Houston Texans, set up a Houston Flood Relief Fund which has by far surpassed its fundraising goals and continues to go above and beyond to raise money for victims of Hurricane Harvey. You can find out more about his efforts in this video.

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/houston-texans-star-j-j-watt-on-setting-up-harvey-relief-fund/

Another option to donate that doesn’t cost a penny that many of us have pursued is donating blood. You can contact your local blood center and inquire about donations going directly to areas impacted by the hurricane that are in need.

America’s Future has done an outstanding job of building a resourceful network of young, liberty-minded professionals. It’s time we come together to help our community in need. Please keep your Houstonian compatriots in your thoughts and prayers as we work through this trying time.