GALVESTON -
Fourteen months after Hurricane Ike devastated Galveston County, hundreds of displaced residents gathered at the Island Community Center Saturday for an outdoor event sponsored by the Galveston Housing Authority.
"It is in an effort to raise awareness that still over a year from the storm," said Tara Gass, a spokeswoman for GHA. "We still have families with great need for some of the most basic items."
Invited were about 2,200 families still receiving help under the Disaster Housing Assistance Program.
"It's still good that they are still remembering us," said Erica Garcia, a displaced resident.
After registering their names, families were given blue boxes filled with free goodies such as cookware, laundry detergent, blankets, coats, and food, including frozen turkeys.
"It's really encouraging to see all of these people come out to know that they made it through and that we all survived together," said Kelly Ford, a volunteer.
125 lucky families got free mattresses from Star Furniture, some got laptops, and the winners of a special raffle got brand new bedroom sets.
Celebrities like former NFL star, La Marque native Greg Randall, were also on hand to sign autographs.
"This is a great event," said Randall. "We had people loose a lot of stuff, and some people lost family members. It's good to come out here, meet people, and just enjoy it."
Residents say the event was like a fun and healing reunion where they got to share stories.
Erica Garcia says her 77-year-old mother lost her home during the hurricane and is still waiting for their insurance to help pay for repairs.
While they live in temporary housing, they say events like today help them to keep on going.
"Thank you," Garcia cried to volunteers and sponsors. "It's wonderful to be in a country that we are so blessed to be in. Other countries don't have this opportunity."
"It is in an effort to raise awareness that still over a year from the storm," said Tara Gass, a spokeswoman for GHA. "We still have families with great need for some of the most basic items."
Invited were about 2,200 families still receiving help under the Disaster Housing Assistance Program.
"It's still good that they are still remembering us," said Erica Garcia, a displaced resident.
After registering their names, families were given blue boxes filled with free goodies such as cookware, laundry detergent, blankets, coats, and food, including frozen turkeys.
"It's really encouraging to see all of these people come out to know that they made it through and that we all survived together," said Kelly Ford, a volunteer.
125 lucky families got free mattresses from Star Furniture, some got laptops, and the winners of a special raffle got brand new bedroom sets.
Celebrities like former NFL star, La Marque native Greg Randall, were also on hand to sign autographs.
"This is a great event," said Randall. "We had people loose a lot of stuff, and some people lost family members. It's good to come out here, meet people, and just enjoy it."
Residents say the event was like a fun and healing reunion where they got to share stories.
Erica Garcia says her 77-year-old mother lost her home during the hurricane and is still waiting for their insurance to help pay for repairs.
While they live in temporary housing, they say events like today help them to keep on going.
"Thank you," Garcia cried to volunteers and sponsors. "It's wonderful to be in a country that we are so blessed to be in. Other countries don't have this opportunity."
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
