STORMS IN OUR LIFE

It wasn’t too long ago since the latest forecast had Harvey strengthening to a Category 4 Hurricane before it made landfall along the Texas Coast in Rockport, TX on the evening of Friday, August 25^th, 2017. As many witnessed, total damage from this storm was estimated at $198 billion making it the second costliest natural disaster worldwide. With it came devastation and unprecedented amounts of rainfall over the Lone Star State.

Many lives were affected and changed on that day. For the Knights of Columbus Council 11343, it was an opportunity to go out and live up to our core principles of charity, fraternity, unity and patriotism; a way to listen and practice our Catholic faith through prayer and action to help others back up through the following charitable services:

−Provided food donations, cooked and served an estimated 200 refugees at Sacred Heart, St Theresa & George Jr High School shelters in Rosenberg, Richmond & Sugar Land, TX.

−Served an estimated 450 people at Mamie George Food Fair in Richmond, TX by distributing food/clothing supplies, disaster supplies and serving them a hot lunch.

−Mucked & Gutted flooded homes of fellow brother Knights, parishioners and complete strangers in Sugar Land, Richmond, Rosenberg, Katy and West University areas. Our Knights walked the neighborhoods offering their services to all in need. Volunteers were in at least 24 homes and contributed around 1,450 hours.

−Provided Book & Supply Donations for students & teachers in the amount of $600 to Juan Seguian Elementary school to replenish supplies and books lost by flood damage.

−Provided donations, served lunch & dinner to over 200 of Harvey Relief volunteers, First Responders, Fire & Police stations and parishioners.

−Organized a Parish Harvey Relief Fundraiser event to cook & serve parishioners and first responders. It raised a total of ~ $7,000 that will go towards relief efforts. Many who came were so appreciative and expressed their gratitude and feelings of being cared for and what it meant to come together as a community.

As with all the storms in our life; God allowed us to open our doors without fear and with his grace accept the challenges in life no matter how difficult. We are so blessed to be part of an organization that can do the small things, simple acts of kindness, love and every day deeds to lift up and provide hope for others. Jesus I Trust in You.