In response to the catastrophic flooding in Houston, Texas, Supernova Furniture, with Justin Dibiase, owner of Jimmy Johns, and Justin Ping of III% United Patriots, organized a donation drive Tuesday afternoon to fill a trailer with supplies and deliver it to residents in need.
Donations were accepted Tuesday afternoon and evening in the parking lot at Home Depot, 1301 South Camino del Rio, and at the furniture store, 1316 Main Ave.
The drive was off to a strong start by the afternoon, with donations dropped off from community members and businesses, including supplies from Animas Chimney Sweeps and coolers from Wing Stop in Farmington.
Robyn Vagneur, Supernova Furniture owner, said she would collect donations for as long as possible, with the goal to fill the 16-foot flatbed trailer before Wednesday. Vagneur is from Texas, where she still has family and friends, and five Supernova Furniture sister locations.
On Tuesday morning, she felt compelled to help Texas residents and happened to meet Ping, representing III% United Patriots, through Facebook. Ping had the same idea, and the two worked to organize the donation drive.
Suggested donations included bottled water, paper towels, large garbage bags, rubber gloves, masks, scrub brushes, scouring pads, sponges, air freshener, toiletries, hand sanitizer, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, hand soap, diapers, disposable razors, shaving cream, toilet paper, baby wipes, baby food, baby formula, cups and bottles, pet cages, kennels, leashes, collars, pet food, cat litter, bottled water, nonperishable food items and school supplies.
Another member of III% United Patriots, a group of patriotic U.S. citizens, planned to drive the trailer, full of donations, to a U.S. Coast Guard and National Guard collection point near Houston.
fstone@durangoherald.com
