Since the Ministerial Alliance established the Volunteer Reception Center in
Bastrop, over 850 volunteers have been registered and over 14,500 volunteer
hours have been logged - thank you to those of you that have volunteered!
UPDATE FROM STATE SITUATION REPORTS:
(From the Texas Forest Service and Texas Division of Emergency Management)
Yesterday, the Texas Forest Service responded to 11 new fires for 1,047
acres. In the past seven days, the Texas Forest Service has responded to
104 fires for 5,731 acres.
A new large fire (1,000 acres) was reported yesterday in Bastrop County,
referred to as the Old Potato Road fire. The fire is 25 percent contained.
50 homes are threatened and evacuations are occurring with structure
protection in progress. Multiple dozer task forces, heavy airtankers,
helicopters, and an air attack are heavily engaged in suppression efforts.
This fire is burning approximately 7 miles northeast of Bastrop.
INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEER/DONATION EFFORTS:
BASTROP: Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) needs volunteers this
Saturday, October 8th, from 8:30 AM - 2 PM. There is a great need for
volunteers to clean up debris/rubble from homes that were destroyed by the
fire a few weeks ago. They have over 200 families that have requested
clean-up assistance (these families have no insurance coverage for
clean-up). Volunteers will essentially sift, sort and stack debris with the
goal of ultimately having a clean slab for builders to rebuild the home. For
this particular clean up job, volunteers do not need to be a
registered/trained ADRN volunteer. You can get more information and
register for this opportunity on the ADRN website (www.adrntx.org).
BASTROP COUNTY: Volunteers are still needed to assist relief efforts. In
the Bastrop city area, go to the Ministerial Alliance's volunteer center at
Calvary Baptist Church, 3001 Loop 150 E (near 150 and 21) across from the
entrance to the State Park, or for general volunteering info you can go to
www.bastroprelief.org or email bastropvolunteer2011@gmail.com.
You can also sign-up to volunteer in Smithville on the www.bastroprelief.org
website. Fill out the registration form and check the box for Smithville.
You can also come to 317 Main, City Hall, and fill out the same registration
form. Either way you register, you will come to City Hall to check-in and
receive your assignment for Smithville. City Hall opens at 8am.
Nonprofit organizations who need volunteers and/or could organize teams of
volunteers to work in Bastrop should also check-in with the Volunteer
Reception Center via email (bastropvolunteer2011@gmail.com) or by phone
512-332-2607.
TRAVIS COUNTY: The community of Spicewood, TX, is recovering from wildfires
that destroyed homes in their area. If you would like more information on
volunteering or supporting the relief efforts in Spicewood, please call the
Austin Disaster Relief Network at 512-331-2200.
WALLER COUNTY: A community website has been created to provide information
on the various relief efforts in response to the Waller County wildfire:
www.missionwaller.org/firerelief
NORTH TEXAS: The Volunteer Center of North Texas, the American Red Cross,
the North Texas Food Bank, and The Salvation Army have joined forces as a
Mass Care Task Force to respond to critical needs during a time of disaster.
To assist during times of need, individuals, groups and businesses are asked
to register as pre-identified volunteers. When a disaster strikes, and the
Mass Care Task Force is activated, the pre-identified volunteers will be the
first to learn how to assist the community and respond to their needs
quickly. If you are interested in connecting to this effort, please visit
the following website to get registered:
(www.vcnt.org/volunteers_distaster_relief.html)
HOUSTON AREA: Volunteer Houston is preparing for disaster response by
asking people to register as a Disaster Recovery Volunteer. This resource
allows you to be contacted if your skills and support are needed during an
emergency. You can obtain additional information on their website:
(www.volunteerhouston.org).
Thank you!
VolunteerTX.org
volunteertx@onestarfoundation.org
