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| After everyone received their showers, they were given clean clothes, a cot, blanket, pillow and everyone went to sleep...everyone was exhausted. |
Front Page
Fannin County providing shelter for 129 hurricane evacuees
By Tammy Rich, Fannin County Public Information Officer (PIO)
Sep 5, 2005
Bonham, Texas -- The Fannin County American Red Cross shelter received a total of 129 evacuees as of Sunday, September 04, 2005 ranging in age from two months to 80 years old.
All of the evacuees were happy to receive showers, food, water and clothing. If you asked any of them if they needed anything, they replied, the folks in Fannin County have been wonderful and we have received the best of care, we have been blessed with what has already been given to us.
Throughout Sunday, families from as far away as Atlanta, Georgia and Florida were calling to locate their family members that got separated from them in New Orleans. They were placed in contact with the county PIO (Public Information Officer) Tammy Rich to locate individuals in the shelter. All family members were located and put in touch by cell phone with relatives who were coming to pick them up. As of Sunday afternoon, approximately 10 to 20 individuals had been picked up by relatives.
Volunteers showed up with their cell phones offering free calls anywhere in the U.S. Bonham City Mayor Roy Floyd is in the process of getting phone lines set up for the evacuees to use in order to find lost family members or relatives they could stay with.
Since the evacuees have arrived, the shelter has provided showers, bedding, cots, clothing, water, food and any personal items they needed. Bethlehem Baptist Church members gathered under the Pavilion Sunday evening for their regular church services, singing and fellowship. All of the evacuees gathered together with the Bethlehem members to sing and Praise our almighty Lord.
The Veteran's Administration bused evacuees back and forth from the hospital for minor rashes and cuts, assisting them to have prescriptions filled and taking care of any health issues.
The First Baptist Church in Bonham bused any individuals to the First Baptist Annex building to be fit with shoes, clothes and to pick up any personal items they needed. Children were fit with school clothes and assisted in receiving some school supplies to begin class on Tuesday.
Counseling by Certified Psychologists has been offered and provided throughout Saturday and Sunday to help individuals with the loss of family members or simply being a witness to some of the horrific crimes that happened while they were at the Super Dome.
Clint Wagstaff, Emergency Management Coordinator stated, "All of the evacuees have been understanding and cooperative in anything asked of them. Nobody has gotten out of hand nor been difficult during this transition."
The Fannin County Sheriff's Department is providing the morning and afternoon meals and will need food or money to purchase food with in the coming days. Please contact the First Baptist Church at 903-583-8519 if you can donate food or any money that would go to purchasing food.
First Baptist Church and other area churches are providing the evacuees their evening meal and if you would like to donate food, clothing or personal items please contact First Baptist Church at 903-583-8519 to find out what is needed as things come in.
Thank you Fannin County citizens, businesses and churches
for all your help and assistance at this time of crisis.
We are fortunate to live in such a great county.
To volunteer, donate or help in any way, please contact Sharon Watson, American Red Cross at 903-465-1330 or Clint Wagstaff, Fannin County Emergency Management Coordinator at the South Annex Building in Bonham.
Money Donations:
American Red Cross
2527 Highway 691
Denison, Texas 75020
MUST WRITE ON CHECK
FANNIN COUNTY RELIEF
Additional Money Donations and all other items:
First Baptist Church
710 N. Center Street
Bonham, Texas 75418
Pastor J. Morgan Malone
(903)-583-8519
(903)-640-6793
Northside Church of Christ
2020 N. Center
Bonham, Texas 75418
Minister Carl Dye
(903) 583-3484
Area churches are asked to contact Pastor J. Morgan Malone at 903-583-8519 or 903-640-6793 to organize any food or clothing donations.
The County Public Information Officer (PIO) and the Red Cross will give updates and briefings as the situation develops.
For additional information the public may call Tammy Rich, Fannin County Public Information Officer (PIO) or Polly Gilbert, Fannin County Clerk at (903) 583-7486.
After everyone received their showers, they were given clean clothes, a cot, blanket, pillow and everyone went to sleep...everyone was exhausted.
Head officials were discussing their next steps.
Relaxing in the shade.
Sunday afternoon everyone was treated to some cold watermelons.
Fellowship with their new families.
Brenda Magness and Deloris Clemons volunteered their time.
Volunteers drove the evacuees to the First Baptist Church clothes closet to find shoes, clothes and toys.
Shoes lined the walls.
Toys filled a room.
First Baptist Church members size and group clothes that were brought in.
Evacuees were given the opportunity to find clothes that would fit.
Clothes filled the rooms, sized, cleaned and ready to wear.
Church volunteers working at the First Baptist Church Annex Building.
Unloading after a trip to get more clothes.
Jesse Anthony and Edgar Menezes were picked up by family from Dallas.
Sondra and Lewis Jones drove from Dallas to pick up their couzin Zerrick Hammothe. Zerrick is planning to meet up with his immediately family that he got separated from in Atlanta, Georgia. (l-r) Sondra Jones, Zerrick Hammothe and Lewis Jones.
Bethlehem Baptist Church brought their church members, choir and had their evening services under the Pavilion Sunday afternoon.
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The crowd was singing and praising God.
James Gibson and Sharrell Brown gave an interview with local media, telling of their personal experiences while at the Super Dome...a story that you don't want to miss.
Bethlehem Baptist Church reached out to crowd.
