How You Can Help

In the aftermath of the flooding, lots of locals were looking for ways to help their neighbors. Here’s some ways you can help:

The City of La Grange is organizing a volunteer cleanup effort. La Grange Main Street Manager Stacey Norris is coordinating the effort.

“We’re taking names and contact information right now, but we’re not ready to set up a staging area yet,” Norris said on Wednesday. “We’re projecting to have everything set up and ready to begin by the end of the week.”

People can call (979) 968-3017 to place their name on the list of volunteers.

“Our needs in La Grange are changing rapidly,” Norris said. “The main need right now is water, and we really need people to conserve water. It’s the little things people aren’t thinking about right now, like shutting off their sprinklers. We really need people to think about those little things to help us conserve.”

Norris said gift cards are a great way to help flood victims right now. Gift cards can be dropped off at the La Grange Visitors Center in Casino Hall. The La Grange Ministerial alliance has set up a disaster relief fund at Prosperity Bank. The name of the fund is Good Shepherd Fund – Disaster Relief for Fayette County. Donations can be made at www.lgrelief.com. Donations can also be mailed to the bank at 202 W. Colorado St, La Grange, TX 78945, but be sure to mention the name of the fund.

Lots of folks in La Grange want to help their neighbors in need. One of the first volunteers helping during the flood was Ellinger resident Michael Schlabach. Schlabach helped retired La Grange teacher Gladys Demerson escape rising water at her home on South Main Street, an act which earned him a photo in the New York Times earlier this week.

From there, Schlabach went to Adamcik’s Texaco to help move items out of the building ahead of the flood.

“I just try to get in where I fit in,” Schlabach said. “It’s all been kind of accidental.”

Volunteers from the staff of La Grange ISD are offering flood victims an opportunity to drop off their school-age children (ages four and up) during the day at Casino Hall. The volunteers will provide a safe and fun environment for children to interact with their peers. Heather Muesse is organizing the program. Muesse said her volunteers could use some snack and drink donations. Depending on the number of volunteers, they hope to offer the program every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the La Grange Main Street for information on this service. If you would like to help or donate, call Muesse at (979) 639-1326.

Marsha Pyle and about 12 other volunteers have been cooking breakfast for electrical linemen and first responders at La Grange First Methodist Church.

“We will continue cooking for them the rest of this week,” Pyle said.

Pyle said they have plenty of help cooking meals, but they could use a person or two to help deliver meals. Contact First Methodist Church for information on that volunteer opportunity.

Second Chance Emporium is also taking names and contact information from volunteers at their temporary facility on South Reynolds Street. Second Chance assistant shop director Emily Matheson said her organization will need volunteers to help operate their disaster relief center through the end of September. Stop by at 851 South Reynolds Street to sign up.

Folks can also call the Fayette County disaster hotline at (979) 968-1809 for more volunteer and donation opportunities.