How East Texans Can Help West Explosion Victims

EAST TEXAS — There are a number of ways East Texans can help victims of the fertilizer explosion in West.

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KETK reports Smith County fire departments will be participating in a “Fill the Helmet” fundraiser campaign to support the West Fire Department. Look for your local firefighters to be standing at main intersections in in the county during the times listed below. If you are unable to find a firefighter location, you may drop off any monetary donations to your local volunteer fire department. If you are making out a check, you’re asked to make it out to “Red Cross,” “Salvation Army,” or “West Fire Department.” In the comments/memo section, make sure to write “West, TX explosion” so that the money is earmarked for that purpose.

DO NOT LEAVE CHECKS AT UNATTENDED FIRE DEPARTMENTS DURING OFF-HOURS.

Firefighters urge you to use caution while approaching any intersections where they are collecting donations. All proceeds collected will be hand delivered to the West Fire Department.

“Fill the Helmet” locations:

Arp: State Hwy. 135/CR 294 (9:00am – the afternoon)
Chapel Hill/Jackson: Spur 248/FM 848 & Brookshire’s on 2734 East Fifth Street
Dixie: Spur 364/CR 1125 (9:00am – 1:00pm)
Flint-Gresham: FM 2493/FM 346 (9:00am – 2:00pm) & the fire station at 188823 FM 2493 (all evening)
Lindale: US 69/FM 16 (9:00am – 2:00pm)
Noonday: Brookshire’s on 20100 State Hwy. 155 & the fire station at 16619 State Hwy. 155
Red Springs: FM 14/FM 16 (9:00am – 1:00pm)
Whitehouse: Brookshire’s on State Hwy. 110 w/Boy Scouts (10:00am – 4:00pm)
Winona: State Hwy. 271/Loop 323 (9:00am – 12:00 noon)

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Donations for children with learning disabilities:

Another need that West, TX, has is for therapy and learning materials for special needs children. To that end, a donation site has been set up for items such as special carseats, weighted blankets, swings, wheelchairs, sensory accessories, therapy tools, electronics for autistic children, and learning materials (videos, books, etc.). The dropoff location is the Jackson Heights VFD Station 2 (Hwy. 31 E).

For more information about how to donate, you’re asked to contact Victoria Young with Jackson Heights VFD. Email Tora75705@yahoo.com or call (903) 566-9900 (Monday-Friday 8:00 – 5:00). If you are unable to make it to a location to drop it off, they are willing to come to you and pick up any donation you’d like to give. Use the contact information above to find out more.

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Lindale FFA Donations

Lindale FFA invites you or your school organization to join the FFA in collecting donations for the families of the victims and the first responders who have been impacted by this event. The main things listed as needed are water, kids’ toys, clothing, nonperishable food, blankets, rain gear, and blood/platelets. The organization plans to gather donations in the Lindale Ag shop and travel to Waco next Friday or Saturday to deliver the donations. If you are interested in volunteering to help with this endeavor during the weekend of April 27th and 28th, you’re asked to contact them. Donations will be accepted at the Lindale Ag shop from 7:00am-4:00pm. If you are unable to make it during that time, you’re asked to contact the Lindale FFA to work something out.

Contact Rebecca Curry at CurryRA@LindaleEagles.org or (903) 881-4050. Parents are asked to make every effort to avoid disturbing the classes that are working in the Ag Shop while dropping off donations during school hours.

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Lone Star Military Farmers/Jacksonville Marine Corps League Donations

Lone Star Military Farmers and Jacksonville Marine Corps League will be in the Atwoods parking lot on Saturday from 10:00am – 2:00pm to collect donations for the people in West, TX. That address: 1824 S. Jackson St. The Carter Blood Center will be there as well for anyone who would like to donate blood. The blood donated during this drive will be given directly to the West area.

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You can also donate financially to the Salvation Army. Anyone interested in doing so can use this link:

http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/media/?ID=97199fb429c5d62e3eb21ab56c72e5ef

Area residents can also send donations to the Tyler Salvation Army with “West,TX Explosion” marked in the memo. Spokeswoman Chantel Millin says her agency will forward that donation to the appropriate location. You can go to http://www.salvationarmytyler.org for more information.
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