Right off the major highway in Dickinson, there is a hand painted sign in front of a church that reads “disaster relief recovery here!”. This is one of many local facilities that transformed into a center to offer whatever assistance they can to those in need even a month after Harvey. There have been significant efforts from major companies to individuals with anything they have to offer to help provide disaster relief. For example, the beer company Anheuser-Busch started canning water to help provide “safe, clean drinking water” to hurricane victims.[1] A local Texas woman decided to use her couponing talents to purchase and deliver thousands of dollars’ worth of items to those individuals in need.[2] Another example is a woman from Missouri that donated her surplus supply of breast milk to Harvey victims.[3] The response from people everywhere that have stepped up to offer whatever they can to those in need is truly inspiring.
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Throughout her story, Mrs. Byrd mentions the kindness of people and their willingness to help. Anything from a simple car ride to the food and meals that were provided all hinged on the willing hearts of others. Sometimes it was the simple relay of information that helped them get food, medical supplies, and hygienic supplies that they otherwise wouldn’t have known about. Byrd’s “pay it forward mentality” embodies the same spirit that has helped so many victims get through these hard times. The support that her family has received has also provided her with a source of strength and comfort in knowing that their situation will continue to improve. Mrs. Byrd mentioned other areas that recovery efforts might not be able to help. For example, how this affects their financial future including retirement plans, rebuilding the house, cost of replacing possessions that insurance will not cover. As a community, the range of Hurricane Harvey’s effects continue to show even in Halloween festivities, many children don’t have a place to trick or treat because neighborhoods are sitting empty.[4]
[1] Tamar Lapin, "Anheuser-Busch Pauses Making Beer to Send Water to Harvey Victims," New York Post, August 29, 2017, http://nypost.com/2017/08/29/anheuser-busch-pauses-making-beer-to-send-water-to-harvey-victims/.
[2] Darla Guillen, "Texas Woman's 'extreme Couponing' Provides Thousands in Goods for Harvey Victims," Houston Chronicle, September 13, 2017, http://www.chron.com/news/houston-weather/hurricaneharvey/article/Texas-woman-s-extreme-couponing-provides-12194418.php.
[3] Nikki De Los Reyes, "Missouri Mom Donates More than 8 Gallons of Breast Milk to Harvey Victims," Houston Chronicle, September 7, 2017, http://www.chron.com/news/houston-weather/hurricaneharvey/article/Missouri-mom-donates-over-6-gallons-of-breast-12180132.php.
[4] Sheila Byrd, "Sheila Byrd Hurricane Harvey Interview," interview by author, November 2, 2017.
