Proud to Be a Texan: Coming Together After Hurricane Harvey by Donna John

Born and raised in the Houston area, the threat of hurricanes and tropical storms are just a way a life during the summer months. Never, however, have we experienced anything like the wrath of Hurricane Harvey. As I sat and watched the hurricane coverage, I marveled at the way the citizens of the great state of Texas came together – all races, genders, ages, religions, nationalities. None of that was important anymore. None of that should have ever been important. We still have a long road to hoe. As the water recedes, it's time for us to step up even more: 

• Clean out those closets, kitchen cabinets, cleaning closets and put a box together to donate. 
• Make a trip to the store when it's safe and buy needed items like diapers, socks, non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, etc., to donate. (Here's how to make a deployment box.)
• Find out where you can volunteer and reach out. 
• Have extra bedrooms? Find out if any family or friends need a place to stay. 
• When the cleanup begins, help neighbors remove furniture, carpets, etc., or offer to watch each other's kids while work is being done. 
• Don't live in the area? Make a monetary donation to organizations helping the recovery effort (see a list of places to donate).