Well, this is how we did. Filled about 30 feet of a 48 foot semi truck! You all are amazing! Had we taken clothing donations it would have been more then full, but those will have to wait.
There are a list of people who rocked this all week and today. Kroger kicked some serious butt by letting the truck park in their parking lot, they fed us, and handed out info. They truly were awesome and the nicest people in that Sterling Ridge store. The manager Eric, was so friendly and even set out carts ahead of time to block off the space for the truck. They let my kids play in the play place today for a few hours so they were not having to sit in the sun and run around a parking lot, which took such a weight off my shoulders. Kids loose in a parking lot is NOT my favorite.
You would think I would have remembered to apply the sunscreen more then once… I am dreading the shower I want to take right now from sweating all day. At some point you would think that natural disasters would be more considerate and happen when it is cool outside and not in the hot spring or like hurricanes in the Sept. when it is still miserable here! LOL!
We had reader Katie and her family drive up from Sealy with a truck and trailer full of items collected from their town. They also stayed and help for 2 hours load the truck.
Heather and her Mom drove in from Crockett just as we were leaving tonight with her VW bug PACKED FULL with donations. I have never seen so much come out of a bug before! She must be a master tetras player!
Today we had reader Amber help for a few hours and blogger Vickie and her friend for another 2 hours…. my sister who is pregnant showed up and “helped” by eating sushi in the parking lot and watching! Hopefully she doesn’t get sick!
Yesterday reader Mary and Maritza ( I know I spelled that wrong!) came up to help for a few hours and also the entire Bowen family got up early to take the first shift.
I can’t forget my friends who helped for 3 hours on Friday night separating and boxing all the donations brought to the church. The King family, Shasta Howard’s family and Lindie Markle + her kids!
Finally, Samantha M. for busting her butt all week getting donations from vendors at her work and getting us all the boxes, tape and water!
Also, whoever set up the truck to be at the Sterling Ridge Kroger was brilliant, just saying… people would walk up ask what we needed, and come back with a CART full! I had 2 ladies walk up and write checks for $300 and $200 each. AMAZING!!!! We collected almost $1,000 dollars to buy the bigger things like shovels, rakes and cleaning up tools. PLUS, with another $250 from Savings.com (who without being asked sent a gift card to my house! Unbelievably cool!) we were able to help buy towels, blankets, coloring books, crayons, water, Gatorade, wrapped snacks, gloves, brooms, and 2 kids bikes. Checks were made out to “Week of Compassion” and handed to the Pastor here who is overnighting them to the Pastor in OK who has certain families who need some help. It was really cool!
I am exhausted and heading to the shower where I am going to freak out because there was someone I forgot to thank! Please forgive me for the time being!