Highland Lakes community reaching out to West residents after deadly explosion
FROM STAFF REPORTS
MARBLE FALLS — While more than a week has passed since a devastating explosion rocked West, a community located just north of Waco, there are still ways people can assist the residents.
A massive explosion at a fertilizer plant in West on April 17 killed at least 14 people, most of them first responders, according to officials, and injured more than 200 others. More than 50 homes were destroyed and many other residences damaged.
For West, which has about 2,800 residents, the destruction has been catastrophic.
Officials in West have said support has been “overwhelming” for the community. What they need most of all, officials said, is monetary donations.
Three foundations, Cooper, Rapoport and Waco, have joined together to establish The West, Texas Disaster Relief Foundation Efforts Fund. Officials said this fund is for the sole benefit of the West victims and relief efforts for the community.
To donate to the fund, go two www.wacofoundation.org and click on “Donate Now: The West, Texas Disaster Relief Efforts Fund.
Financial donations also may be made at www.texasdisasterrelieffund.org.
Texans also rolled up their sleeves for blood donations. According to the Red Cross, there is enough blood on hand to help the West patients, but there are people who need blood every day, whether a victim of a recent catastrophe or other reasons. Donors, officials said, are always needed and encouraged to give blood.
Three blood drives are scheduled for this week:
• First Baptist Church of Marble Falls, 501 12th St. in Marble Falls, on April 24 from 12:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Call LaNelle Cozby for appointments at (830) 693-5135 or (830) 385-3580.
• Llano Community Blood Drive at Lutie Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church, 800 Wright Street in Llano on April 25 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. To register or for more information, contact Gina Moore at (325) 423-1154..
• Kingsland Community Center, 3451 Rose Hill Road, on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call Diane Caruthers for appointments at (512) 793-6958. This is the regular Kingsland community blood drive.
editor@thepicayune.com