Act Locally Waco: 10:30 update re: Explosion in West
Thornton, Ashley
Ashley,
I have talked to major Dan Ford, who is on the scene in West.at this point they don't require food (from pantries) they have plenty of food for the people to eat. Presently there is no Donation Management System in place. The primary focus is getting through the area (rubble) to find injured or deceased. As soon as they can move to another level of serving we will coordinate with local pantries and other services to bring things in. Most of the people don't have transportation to get around, right now. As a community we should be preparing to bring things in to the West community as soon as they are ready to recieve them.
Thanks for all your help,
Robert Gager
Here's the rest (also attached as PDF) :
Info about West explosion
Update as of 10:30 a.m. Thursday
·
The Extraco
Events Center will be setting up to take donations starting tomorrow at 9:00
am. For information call 254-776-1660
Carter Blood Care Center will accept donations beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday in
Waco
Carter BloodCare will be holding a blood drive at Providence Thursday between
11 am and 5 p.m.
The Scott & White Blood Donation center is open until 2:30 a.m. Thursday
and will reopen at 8 a.m.
To check on injured residents admitted to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center call
(254) 202-1100
For family inquiries about patients at Scott & White Hospital call (888)
394-4947
For family inquiries about patients at Providence Health Center (254) 761-7200The
Extraco Events Center will be setting up to take donations starting tomorrow at
9:00 am. For information call 254-776-1660
Carter Blood Care Center will accept donations beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday in
Waco
Carter BloodCare will be holding a blood drive at Providence Thursday between
11 am and 5 p.m.
The Scott & White Blood Donation center is open until 2:30 a.m. Thursday
and will reopen at 8 a.m.
To check on injured residents admitted to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center call
(254) 202-1100
For family inquiries about patients at Scott & White Hospital call (888)
394-4947
For family inquiries about patients at Providence Health Center (254) 761-7200 Extraco ( The
fairgrounds) is accepting clothes food and toiletries at the second building on
the right. They will come out and get it from your car
· Baylor supports West FB page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Baylor-Supports-West/161548767339513
· Cen-Tex Roof Systems - Anyone in West that needs tarps or plywood call my office751-7700. We have crews ready to help. No charge people!
·
The Salvation Army disaster
canteens are on site in West providing meals, water, etc. As of right now
our primary need is monetary donations to help keep our canteens stocked.
As other needs are made known we will try to get the word out.
We have several Salvation Army staff mobilized in the area but one staff member
has contacted me to let me know that she is opening her home (in Hubbard, TX)
for families in need of a place to go. As that need arises please contact
our social services office.
·
Caritas
Services for Victims of the West Disaster
o The Caritas Food Pantry (300 South 15th Street, Waco) will be open to provide needed food items to individuals and families who have been affected by the disaster (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
o Caritas is coordinating with relief efforts being administered by area churches, non-profit organizations, etc., to provide useful items from the “Gifts in Kind” program (paper products, household items, etc.). Call James Hurst at 753-4593, ext. 214 for more information.
o Caritas of Waco Thrift Stores are providing needed clothing items to victims of the West disaster. Individuals may go to either store and be assisted with clothing. Store locations are: 3116 Franklin Ave. (753-0126) and 3016 Bellmead Drive (799-0777).
o Caritas is providing water, drinks, food, hygiene, paper products, etc., directly to first responders in West.
o For additional information, contact Buddy Edwards (722-7698 or 753-4593, ext. 205).
· Central United Methodist Church is located so close to Hillcrest Hospital and is aiding family members with a place to rest and showers. (And if I know that church, they've probably got lots of other stuff for them!) Central United Methodist Church. Central United Methodist Church at Hwy 6 & Bagby near Hillcrest Hospital gymnasium is open for West families to come and rest. Showers are available. Please share this posting.
· Care Net Pregnancy Center is going to have a donation booth for donations of gift cards at our Human Race Waco, Saturday, April 27th at the Human Race Waco in Indian Springs Park. Race website is www.humanracewaco.com.
Update as of 8:00 a.m. Thursday
· Waco Trib: Helpful links for those affected by West plant explosion - http://www.wacotrib.com/news/helpful-links-for-those-affected-by-west-plant-explosion/article_dd5988c4-f042-5a11-b277-7ba019be157a.html
· Excellent compiled list of resources: Shelters, places to donate, pet boarding, nursing homes, etc. (Thanks BKleinemas!): http://www.actlocallywaco.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Kleinmas-resources.pdf
· We will be taking donations at the McLennan County Extension for those affected & working in West! Water, Gatorade, food, toiletries, baby wipes, baby items, blankets, towels, wash rags, clothing & shoes for men, woman & children are among the many things needed! Please bring donations by the extension office today! One of our staff will be taking donations to West this afternoon! -Prayers for West! Office: (254) 757-5180, Fax: (254) 757-5097, 420 N 6th St, Waco, TX 76701-1315, mclen...@tamu.edu
Update as of 7:00 a.m. Thursday
· Carter Blood Care donor portal: https://ww2.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/centers
· Baylor website: http://www.baylor.edu/relief/?_buref=1172-91940
· News: Up to 15 dead after fire and blast at Texas fertilizer plant
· SHELTER FOR VICTIMS OF WEST EXPLOSION @ Victorious Life church - VLC is offering shelter for families in need of shelter or for those visiting hospitals. Located in our GYM in the back. Necessities will be provided at NO CHARGE! Donations of personal items and food will be accepted in the gym. 254-662-5552. Directions: Coming from West: Located off Exit 328. Turnaround onto the northbound frontage road. VLC will be on your right in 1/2 mile. Come to the gym in the back. (LOCATED WITHIN 2 MILES OF HILLCREST HOSPITAL) Email - chellesa...@gmail.com
· Road To Damascus will be a drop off site for any type of donations for the victims of west. Thursday-Saturday from 5-8 pm. I would like all organizations willing to come together as one to donate whatever they can. We can meet at RTD, 5034 Franklin and giveaway can goods, hygiene packets, bus passes, clothing, etc. Contact Mia at 548-9982.
As of 5:00 a.m. Thursday
Articles:
· More than 100 injured in West plant explosion; fatalities confirmed
· West, Texas explosion: Two EMS deaths confirmed
Other info:
Red Cross Facebook page for Updates - www.facebook.com/HeartofTexasRedCross
For up to the minute updates you can follow the Red Cross on twitter @HOTRedcross or #westexplosion
Salvation Army Facebook Page for updates - https://www.facebook.com/HeartofTexasRedCross#!/salarmywaco?hc_location=stream
The Home Depot in Bellmead (I-35 access road north of Lake Shore) will be open throughout the night for those needing supplies to board up or tarp roofs before the rain forecast for Thursday morning.
The American Red Cross Heart of Texas Area Chapter is currently opening a shelter at Latham Springs Retreat Center. 134 Private Road 223, Aquilla, TX 254-694-3689
Hotlines for West explosion
· Hillcrest Hospital 254-202-1100.
· Providence Hospital 254-761-7200
Carter Bloodcare, Hillcrest and Providence will all be having blood drives on Thursday. Hillcrest starting at 9am, Carter beginning at 9am and Providence starting at 11am.