Visitors Information of Dallas TX: How to Help Our Fellow Texans in the Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey

Dear DRC Friends,

As you all know, the southeast Texas coast is in the midst of a disaster situation caused by Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm which made landfall on Friday. So far, the storm is responsible for destroying homes, overturning vehicles and sinking boats, severing power lines, and forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee.

While Harvey has now been downgraded to a tropical storm, it is still lingering over Texas and producing record amounts of rain — which could spawn even more destruction in the form of catastrophic flooding.

Many of our members and others in the community have contacted us, asking how to support our fellow Texans during this time of great need.

We are honored to recommend the following organizations that we are working closely with to provide assistance, in both the immediate term and longer horizon, as the effects of this storm will be felt for months and perhaps years to come.

IMMEDIATE RELIEF EFFORTS

The City of Dallas has created a website with details on how to make financial contributions to partner organizations such as the Red Cross, donate items of greatest demand, and ways to volunteer in ongoing relief efforts.

For additional information, please visit: DallasHelpForHarvey.

LONG-TERM RELIEF EFFORTS

The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has set up the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to support the immediate and ongoing relief efforts we know will have to last for months. All of the proceeds contributed to this fund — 100% — will be distributed to nonprofits supporting those affected by the storms who are seeking shelter and long-term assistance in North Texas.

The United Way is in close contact with their partners in the affected areas to assess the immediate and long-term needs regarding volunteers and donations. We will provide updates as we know more, but at this time all partners have indicated that donating dollars is the most useful action until the full scope of the needs are known and response teams are better able to travel into the affected areas.

If you receive any inquiries about Hurricane Harvey relief, please contact Jennifer Sampson, CEO and President of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, at Jsampson@unitedwaydallas.org or 214.978.0004.

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Finally, to all with family and friends living in the Houston area who are affected by this disaster, we extend our thoughts and prayers to you and your loved ones. Along with our hearts we also want to extend our hands, and we are here to help in any way. Please let me know if there are other ways we can be of assistance. I can be reached on email at CEO@dallaschamber.org, and by phone at 214.746.6611.

All best wishes,

President and CEO
Dallas Regional Chamber