Hurricane Harvey ravaged Texas, dropping 4 feet of rain on them and generally screwing up life there for a decade.
Texans were and still are in desperate need of relief supplies. The whole region is a disaster area.
It might seem like there isn't too much you can do to help all the way up on Cape Cod, but you'd be amazed at what a little positive effort can get done.
Mary Ellen McCarthy runs the
Trowbridge Tavern... you know, that iconic TAVERN sign (it is very much the Fenway Park CITGO sign of Cape Cod) that you see when you come over the Bourne Bridge onto Cape Cod. That's her place, in the pic right above this text.
McCarthy, a local do-gooder, saw the damage done and started fishing around for ways to help.
Joshua Walbert of Mashpee is also Joshua Walbert, formerly of Houston. Houston got about 50 inches of rain, and some people in the area are living a pre-industrial lifestyle.
Walbert and his main squeeze Lindsey Mahoney came upon the idea of renting a U-Haul/Penske truck, stuffing it full of needed relief supplies and rolling down to Texas like ZZ Top or something. He set up a
GoFundMe page to cover his expenses, and he was halfway to his goal as I write this.
Here's the text of his GFM page:
So, as everyone may know, I am from Houston. Honestly, I love the Cape but my family is there and my heart will always be "A Texan." Hell, it's even my football team #GoTexans.
TEXAS IS ME.
So, Lindsey and I are going to rent a uhaul, the big one, and take it to Texas, Houston area..... and we NEED YOU HELP!!
MONETARY DONATIONS FOR TRIP
MONETARY DONATIONS FOR GAS
MONETARY DONATIONS FOR FLIGHT BACK UP
NON PARISHABLE FOODS
BLANKETS AND PILLOWS
CHILDREN'S CLOTHING
DIAPERS
UPDATE: we have currently been in contact with Pastor John Mooney at the First United Methodist Church in Vidor Texas. This town received over 54 inches of rain so far and they are planning to get more unfortunately.
This is the information for the church so you can verify my story.
Pastor John Mooney
First United Methodist Church
501 North Main Street
9034223933
john_mooney@alumni.baylor.edu
We are also currently looking for charitable organizations that we can donate the excess money's towards after the trip and after we pay for everything to go down there to Vidor Texas.
Walbert and McCarthy were introduced, they kicked a few ideas around, and even brought in some other people... even little ol' me. Here's what we came up with:
McCarthy's Trowbridge Tavern is a drop-off spot for relief supplies. She is filling up half of her function room with goods.
You can also drop off supplies/donations at
White Lion Baking Company on Route 151 in Mashpee.
There will be a Stuff A Bus event on September 21 or 22, we're still figuring that out.
Stevie B's in Onset is also accepting donations for Harvey relief.
In Woods Hole, the
Church Of The Messiah is holding a potluck chili dinner on September 11th to raise funds for Harvey victims.
Gorgeous church, by the way...
The Massachusetts Maritime Academy is sending the TS
Kennedy down to southern waters, I'm not sure if they are helping with Harvey or the incoming
Irma. The Kennedy was used as housing for FEMA workers during Katrina and Sandy. We didn't have anything to do with the launching of the
Kennedy, but we thought we'd mention it.
The Trowbridge Tavern will host a
fundraiser on September 15th. They will have food, a cash bar and music (DJ Cizzle) will be provided. They will also be having a raffle.
BRUINS TICKETS!
Ben and Bills Gift Certificates!
Paintings and Prints from local artists!
Estia Restaurant Gift Certificate!
Amazing vintage posters, figurines, puzzles, games, artwork from blast from the past!
Handmade art from local vendors
Wine gift baskets!
Sass on Main gift certificates!
Multiple Lawn Care auction items from Fire Guys landscaping and Cox Landscaping!!
Supplies are still needed. Here's Mary Ellen:
I just want to clarify my post from today. We are still taking dog and cat food, adult and baby diapers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, wipes, water, toilet paper, cleaning products, medical items, shampoo, feminine products, etc. And in addition to these the Pastor is asking for the following items. Texas is looking for the following items Texas is looking for the following items to try to clean up.
NEW LIST PROVIDED BY PASTOR JOHN MOONEY IN VIDOR TEXAS
Trash bags
Cleaning products
Feminine hygiene products
Dehumidifiers
Fans
Orange Extension cords
Hammers
Pry bars
Saws
Contractor lighting/lamps
Work gloves
Nilene/latex gloves
Work masks
NO CLOTHING!! They already have too much. try to clean up.
NEW LIST PROVIDED BY PASTOR JOHN MOONEY IN VIDOR TEXAS
Trash bags
Cleaning products
Feminine hygiene products
Dehumidifiers
Fans
Orange Extension cords
Hammers
Pry bars
Saws
Contractor lighting/lamps
Work gloves
Nilene/latex gloves
Work masks
NO CLOTHING!! They already have too much.
The Trowbridge Tavern is located at 100 Trowbridge Road in Bourne. If you come over the Bourne Bridge, take the right out of the rotary after the State Police barracks.
The Tavernis open from 11 AM on, so you can dropoff supplies whenever you wish, They are being stored in the function room.
We'll announce the exact times of the fundraiser and the bus-stuffing when we get more information.
Yes, I did time my come-and-take-pictures visit for this article with the Trowbridge Tavern's weekly Half-Priced Appetizers Wednesday night promotion. Charity is important to me, but a man must eat.
Hurry down, I'll save you some garlic bread.
