Port Aransas, Texas, took a direct hit from Hurricane Harvey, and Durango resident Amber Glasscock found her own way to help those affected.
She arranged for donations to be accepted at the Durango Elks Lodge, 901 East Second Ave., on Saturday, and posted the information to Facebook.
The community response was huge.
“I never expected this,” she said. “I am overwhelmed and blown away. We’ve received so many donations, we decided to go all over Texas.”
Glasscock moved to Durango almost two years ago from the small island town along the Gulf of Mexico. Many of her friends and family still live there, and were devastated by the storm.
“The friends I’ve been in contact with said things were destroyed,” she said. “After talking with insurance companies, they were told it would be cheaper to bulldoze everything.”
The original plan was to collect a few cases of water and other necessities to take to her family, but the community had other ideas.
Volunteers turned out to help Glasscock after seeing her Facebook post. The number of donated items became more than one person could handle.
“We were all strangers until about four days ago,” she said. “I am so thankful for the help.”
On Wednesday, Glasscock will drive a donated U-Haul trailer to Port Aransas to drop off donations. A convoy of trucks and trailers, driven by Rob Dougherty, Brandan Lancaster and TJ Cleveland, will follow with additional items to be distributed around Texas.
Donations received include canned food, toiletries, clothing, bottled water and more.
Additionally, local businesses Zuke’s, Zia Taqueria, Serious Texas BBQ, Armadillo Storage Co., 4Corners Riversports and Fired Up Pizzeria each stepped in to help.
Glasscock said after seeing the response from the community, she will also be accepting donations from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Elks Lodge parking lot.
“Our plan was to do this today, but because of the overwhelming donations we will be here tomorrow, too,” she said.
She will make multiple trips to Texas with donations over upcoming months.
“I will come back for everything that can’t fit or is donated after we leave,” she said. “I will drive until the tires fall off my truck. I couldn’t cry on my couch anymore. I had to do something.”
mrupani@durangoherald.com
To help
Amber Glasscock is accepting donations for victims of Hurricane Harvey from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Elks Lodge parking lot, 901 East Second Ave.
Tarps, extension cords, sunscreen and shovels are desperately needed.
Cash donations will be accepted, and will be used to purchase chain saws, extension cords and box fans.
