Act Locally Waco: West update as of Wednesday, 5:30 a.m.
Ashley Thornton
Info about West explosion
(PDFs of these updates are available at http://www.actlocallywaco.org/get-involved/general-announcements/)
5:00 a.m. Wednesday
Details about memorial Service as of 6:30 pm Tuesday from Baylor
Thursday’s service in the Ferrell Center is likely to draw more than 4,000 uniformed first responders. Firefighters and other first responders will march in a processional on University Parks Drive from Gurley Lane to Bagby, before turning into the Ferrell Center. Some 300 fire trucks, representing communities across the United States, will line the processional route.
The processional will begin at 11:00 AM and should last about two hours. During this time, University Parks, from Gurley Lane to Bagby will be closed to traffic. The portion of University Parks from Gurley Lane to LaSalle will open at the end of the processional. University Parks from LaSalle to Bagby will be closed to traffic from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Spectators wishing to view the processional may wish to stand on the grassy area of the Ferrell Center at the intersection of University Parks and LaSalle, or further down University Parks, heading from LaSalle toward Gurley Lane. LaSalle will be closed to all traffic between First St. and Hwy 6 from 10:30 AM until approximately 4 PM.
The Memorial service is scheduled to begin in the Ferrell Center at 2:00 PM. A small amount of public parking will be available in lots C and D at the Ferrell Center with access to University Parks Drive from Cottonwood. Public parking will also be available at Floyd Casey Stadium with shuttles starting at 10:00 AM. Doors at the Ferrell Center will open at 11:00 AM and remain open until 1:45 PM, or capacity.
All attendees will go through airport-like security and should bring as few personal items as possible. No bags, sharp objects, umbrellas, liquids, firearms, or signs will be allowed in the venue. Cameras and cell phones are permitted.
President Starr has asked that as a demonstration of our admiration, gratitude and respect for the first responders who gave their lives in service to the community of West, Texas -- and all those who will be on our campus to honor their memories – as many Baylor faculty, staff and students as are able should suspend “business as usual” on our campus and participate in the memorial ceremony Thursday afternoon. Because seating in the Ferrell Center will be limited, and long lines are very likely, the campus community is urged to gather to view the ceremony via satellite in Waco Hall. If capacity is reached at the Ferrell Center, one or more of our athletic venues may be opened for satellite broadcast of the memorial service. The event will be live streamed at www.Firehero.org/westtexas .
We expect to continue our meetings in the morning and will provide additional information as it is available. Updates will also be available at www.baylor.edu/relief
Waco Housing Authority/Section 8
Waco Housing Authority will be at the Joint Assistance Center tomorrow and Thursday morning taking applications from those affected by the blast for Section 8 voucher program. (Knights of Columbus at 2548 Jerry Mashek Dr. in West)
Shelter for Seniors
In response to the tragedy in West, Holiday Retirement is offering shelter to seniors that may not have been able to find a safe haven. Please see the attached flyer for information and provide to any individual or group that is in need or knows of someone we can help. Thank you for your support and your efforts to aid our neighbors in West. - Melissa B. Hutto, 399-0109 <Flyer>
Workforce/Job Fair in West
Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas has dispatched a mobile unit to West to assist displaced workers and residents. The mobile unit is located in the Knights of Columbus Hall parking lot at 2457 Jerry Mashek Drive in West, and Workforce Solutions staff will be available to assist displaced workers and residents from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday as the need for services continues. A job fair will be held on Monday, April 29. Details in attached release. For more information contact ashley.p...@hotworkforce.com. <press release>
EOAC available to help
EOAC is in West today to assist any low income families affected by the explosion. We are located at The Knights of Columbus Hall (2547 Jerry Mashek Dr in West) We are providing Wal-Mart gift cards to those who meet our income guidelines. For more information please contact Bobby Deike at 254-753-0331. http://www.eoacwaco.org/
Baptist Association Collecting Clean Up supplies, tools
Update on a request from FBC West. After conversations with pastor John Crowder and some of the leaders of the church, Waco Regional Baptist Association (WRBA) is launching a collection of new work gloves (men's & women's) of all sizes, contractor garbage bags (the bags that are extra large and very heavy duty for cleaning up building debris), and small hand tools (saws, screwdrivers, hammers, etc--no power tools). WRBA will be collecting these at the Association office in the old Hillcrest Hospital (3000 Herring) on the 4th floor. The church will be able to give these items to neighbors and friends to help in a very practical way with the clean up. Website: http://www.wacoregionalbaptistassociation.org/
RSVP Volunteers available
RSVP Volunteer Program from MCC will be available with volunteers to help with all kinds of projects at the The Joint Assistance Center (JAC) located at the Old KC Hall 2547 Jerry Mashek Drive (Exit 355 off County Line Rd East). Also many, many other services available for the people in West. Check there first for help.
TSTC/MCC students
Information for TSTC/MCC students will be available at the Joint Assistance Center (Knights of Columbus at 2548 Jerry Mashek Dr. in West)
Ways to give money
There are lots of ways to give money, these are only a few…
· Point West Bank & Trust (254) 826-5333 on-line: http://www.pointwestbank.com/default.aspx?v=27b33d93-0d3c-4009-8790-1cb7c23972c7
· Fund set up by Rapoport, Cooper and Waco Foundations. Visit Waco Foundation’s website, www.wacofoundation.org, and click the “West, Texas Disaster Relief Efforts Fund” link on the homepage. Direct Link: http://www.wacofoundation.org/NewsEvents/ViewArticle/tabid/164/smid/605/ArticleID/82/reftab/36/Default.aspx
· Online giving portal on the Baylor University website: www.baylor.edu/relief/give .
· Knights of Columbus Charities: https://www.kofc.org/giving/Donate.action?charityType=WTXDRF&lang=EN&donorType=US
· Texas Farm Bureau - http://txagtalks.texasfarmbureau.org/lets-help-west-residents-get-back-on-their-feet/
· Waco Regional Baptist Association West Disaster Support Fund Listed on the WRBA website - http://www.wacoregionalbaptistassociation.org/
10:00 pm Monday
Westfest RV Park – Reagan St. (across from the Community Resource Center)
Knights of Columbus grounds 2547 Jerry Mashek Dr.
Showers only:
First Baptist Church – 501 N Marable St.
Laundry only:
Best Western Czech Inn – 114 Melodie Dr.
There will be a Job Fair for displaced employees on Monday April 29th. Time and location is pending.
Shelter – Anyone still needing shelter can contact Latham Springs Baptist Camp at 134 PR 223 Aquilla, TX 76622 254-694-3689.
The Mobile Field Hospital is no longer available. A Community First Aid Station at the Community Resource Center is in the works.
Family Counseling Center – located at the Community Center – open 24 hrs.
For any questions, please call the General Information Hotline: 254-826-7550. 10:00 p.m. Monday - The Joint Assistance Center (JAC) located at the Old KC Hall 2547 Jerry Mashek Drive (Exit 355 off County Line Rd East) will continue to be available through Friday the 26th from 9 AM to 7 PM.
Thank you for the generous donations of relief supplies, but at this time, only monetary and gift card donations are needed. Those donations can be made at the Community Resource Center or at the two local banks – PointWest Bank and State National Bank. Links for online donations are on the city website (address below).
All remaining incoming donations can be dropped off at the Westfest Fairgrounds can be made until Tuesday the 23rd at 7 PM.
As of 7 PM tonight, relief supplies pick-up will no longer be at the Westfest Fairgrounds. Beginning Tues the 23rd, the West Relief Supplies Center will be open at the PointWest Bank Annex on N. Washington, between Columbus and Oak Streets. Hours of Operation are Mon – Sat 9 AM to 5 PM. Residents needing pet supplies, please call the hotline (254-826-7550) for information.
The following services are available from 7 AM to 7PM:
· Laundry and Showers:
o Westfest RV Park – Reagan St. (across from the Community Resource Center)
o Knights of Columbus grounds 2547 Jerry Mashek Dr.
· Showers only:
o First Baptist Church – 501 N Marable St.
· Laundry only:
o Best Western Czech Inn – 114 Melodie Dr.
· There will be a Job Fair for displaced employees on Monday April 29th. Time and location is pending.
· Shelter – Anyone still needing shelter can contact Latham Springs Baptist Camp at 134 PR 223 Aquilla, TX 76622 254-694-3689.
· The Mobile Field Hospital is no longer available. A Community First Aid Station at the Community Resource Center is in the works.
· Family Counseling Center – located at the Community Center – open 24 hrs.
For any questions, please call the General Information Hotline: 254-826-7550.
5:00 Monday - I just returned from a meeting of emergency response agencies in West. At this time the only donations that are needed are cash or gift cards. Donations can be made to “Victims of West Explosion Fund” in care of Point West Bank, P.O. Box 279, West, Texas 76691 (254-826-5333). State National Bank in West is also accepting donations. Donation links for the banks:
For people wanting to volunteer, the best way is to sign up is through www.volunteertx.org which is helping to coordinate volunteers with activities that need to be carried out in West.
Thanks, Buddy Edwards (Caritas)
Update from City of West (www.cityofwest.com)
· A town hall meeting is set for 6:00 PM Tuesday at KC HALL. Representatives from all agencies will be available to answer questions and concerns.
· Details on the re-entry procedure to area 3 are soon to be complete and are in the works at this time. We will have an announcement about details as soon as they are available.
· PUBLIC WATER SERVICE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE IN ALL AREAS FOR AT LEAST A WEEK, POSSIBLY UP TO 3 WEEKS. Engineers and City Public Works have been working all day long assessing damages and are working very hard to get this system back up and online. We encourage you to find a place to stay until we can get these services back online due to health and safety hazards.
· Call center will be closing tonight at 9:30 p.m. and will re open at 8:00 AM
· We are in the process of getting dumpsters located in strategic areas to assist with the clean up.
· MCC, TSTC, and HILL College will have a trailer at the community center to service the West students that are attending these schools with questions and help. The trailer is to come tomorrow.
· Please remember, State along with local officials are actively patrolling areas on foot and ATV’S to keep it secure for our citizens.
· more updates to come tomorrow morning
Especially for Ministers: Stephen Brewer with the Austin Disaster Relief Network (www.adrntx.org ) will be speaking at a meeting for pastors this Wednesday, April 24th, from 11:30am to 1pm at Victorious Life Church (www.vlcwaco.com). VLC is providing a free lunch and Stephen is going share some important info of how we can help in the healing process. The Austin Disaster Relief Network is phenomenal and learned a lot of helpful things during the Bastrop fires that can help give us direction as a Church. Here's some of what Stephen has shared:
- Many people in this community are devastated and primarily need the emotional and spiritual support of the local Church
- Your brother churches in West are overwhelmed and not in a place currently to meet all the need that exists
- There are well over 100 families asking to be walked with or "sponsored" or by the local Church right now; many are renters, have insurance and are single-elderly so their needs
- We have forms and proven procedures we would like to share with the churches in Waco to help you help these families
- We may have no greater opportunity to share the love of Christ with these people than right now, as churches in Waco unite to walk with or "sponsor" these families
Please get the word out to as many pastors and churches as possible. I know this is short notice, but we just really feel it's important to respond ASAP! Please RSVP if you will be able to come by Tuesday night so we will know how much food to buy. Thanks so much! Dr. Kevin Harrison, Lead Pastor, VLC-Waco. Email: p...@vlcwaco.com.
As of Monday at 11:15 a.m.
Relief for Residents
The Joint Assistance Center (Knights of Columbus at 2548 Jerry Mashek Dr. in West) seems to be the centralized place for West residents to receive care and services from numerous agencies. Here’s a list of some of the organizations represented there and what they are doing:
· American Red Cross - glasses, dentures, water, counseling, blankets, comfort kits.
· Islamic Relief USA -registration
· Southern Baptist of TX - chaplins, child care, clean up work, saw crews.
· Texas Baptist Men - Chaplin, child care, clean up work, saw crews.
· Austin Disaster Relief Network - work w/local churches to adopt/walk w/ a family to help rebuild, Walmart gift cards.
· United Methodist Committee on Relief Central TX Conference - clean up property, trapping, windows covered, chain saw crew, health kits, cleaning supplies.
· Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - spiritual & emotional care.
· Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response- case management, gift cards.
· Society St. Vincent de Paul - case management.
· Heart of Texas Region MHMR - local mental health authority, disaster Mental Health Services, long-term counseling services, Molly Howard 254-709-7430
· Child Evangelism Fellowship Dallas - child care.
· Trinity Church Chaplaincy - spirtual & emotional 972-291-2501.
· TZU Chi Foundation - spiritual & emotional care, cash card & blankets.
· Seventh Day Adventist - clothing, comfort kits, towels, wash cloths, blankets.
· Veterans Affairs - disaster assistance for veterans.
· Victim Relief Ministries - counseling & Chaplain.
· Texas Department of Insurance disaster assistance - insurance assistance.
· ICNA Relief USA
· Americorps Texas Conservation Corp – Debris
Help For Nursing Home residents –
· Cash donations are welcome and HOTCOG (http://www.hotcog.org/default.aspx) will take those donations. Please label them “West Rest Haven Nursing Home” so that the money can be dispersed to facilities housing the residents and the resident can obtain what is required. Some residents need eyeglasses, dentures, etc. Susan McCombs, 292-1851, is the Managing Local Ombudsman, who has offered to assist with West Rest Haven Nursing Home residents. You can direct calls to Susan.
Memorial/Appreciation Services
· A joint memorial service for the 14 victims will be held on Thursday at 2pm in the Ferrell Center on the Baylor University campus. Expect traffic delays in the area so arrive early. Death toll remains at 14 w/ more than 200 people injured.
· Interfaith Service being organized for West - An interfaith service of gratitude for the responders and for healing is being put together for this Tuesday, April 23, 7:00 p.m. at Mighty Wind, 1100 Washington in Waco. Please watch for further details...
Useful Facebook Pages and Websites:
· Prayers for Victims of Waco/West TX Fertilizer Plant Disaster – Good site for frequent updates, seems to be reliable information. Lots of information about fundraisers, etc. if you need information or have information you would like posted, please send a message to the page using the message tab. Comments on posts and posts by others to the wall are not seen by everyone unless the come specifically to the page. Posts made by the page go out to every single followers' news feed. With the exception of 10pm to 7am, the majority of the messages are answered and posted if needed within an hour: https://www.facebook.com/PrayersforWest
· Red Wall Against Westboro – There is a rumor that the Westboro people are going to protest the memorial services. If you are interested in helping to form a human wall as counter protest, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/RedWallAgainstWestboro
· City of West Website – official info from the mayor’s office, updates about re-entry – http://www.cityofwest.com/ and Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/City-of-West/114845281881215
· Red Cross – for information about how to get help, volunteer needs, etc. https://www.facebook.com/HeartofTexasRedCross
· Salvation Army - For information about how to get help, volunteer needs, etc. - https://www.facebook.com/salarmywaco
· Region 12 Service Center – For information about school needs, school supplies, etc. - http://www.esc12.net/announcements/html/2013/support.html
· List of Resources from HOT workforce: https://www.hotworkforce.com/Events/Resources.php
Physical Donations:
· The donation center at the West Rodeo Grounds (also referred to as the fairgrounds) on 10th Street in West.
Giving Money:
There are many ways to give money, but here are a few that seem dependable.
· Donate money to the relief at Point West Bank & Trust (254) 826-5333 on-line: http://www.pointwestbank.com/default.aspx?v=27b33d93-0d3c-4009-8790-1cb7c23972c7.
· Visit Waco Foundation’s website, www.wacofoundation.org , and click the “West, Texas Disaster Relief Efforts Fund” link on the homepage.
· Online giving portal on the Baylor University website: www.baylor.edu/relief/give.
· Knights of Columbus Charities: https://www.kofc.org/giving/Donate.action?charityType=WTXDRF&lang=EN&donorType=US
Volunteering:
· Community Center - If you are wanting to volunteer your time at the donation center or other areas in West, please go first to the Community Center to sign in and they will let you know where you are needed.
· Disaster Relief Center - Over the weekend we've had over 150 volunteers help sort, categorize, unload, stage, and palletize donations (food, furniture, clothing and baby items, kitchen supplies, toiletries, toys ect.) We are VERY thankful for your help. If you wish to be a part and helping hand at out Disaster Relief Center go to 101 Apron Road, Waco TX (Behind TSTC ) 8am to 7pm ALL WEEK. (Salvation Army)