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Sep 15, 2011 | Luke Blount

Episcopalians Step Up Donations for Wildfire Victims

st. lukesThe Episcopal Diocese of Texas and individual churches have been collecting donations of goods and money across the state. The communications office has been flooded with emails and newsletters calling for donations, and then reporting the amounts collected.

 

“We have seen an outpouring of support from our congregations for victims of the wildfires and for the responders,” said the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of Texas. “This generosity, set against the backdrop of very hard economic times for many people, reflects the abundance with which we are blessed, even in the face of great challenge. I am a grateful bishop and deeply moved by the response. We can all be grateful that more lives were not lost and we will stand with our brothers and sisters who have lost so much as they begin to rebuild.” 

 

St. Alban's, Austin, announced that they raised more than $5,000, mostly in the form of gift cards for the fire victims. Good Shepherd, Tomball, which sits not too far from the Riley Road Fire, collected more than $2,300 in donations, while St. Martin's Preschool, Houston, made a generous contribution ov $1,000 to EDOT fund. 

 

So far, the Diocese of Texas' fund has more than $7,000 raised from individuals and churches. Many congregations have been donating directly to Calvary Episcopal in Bastrop, which has 40 families that have lost their homes. 

 

To donate now, click here.

 

Other churches have opened up their doors as a donation center. The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Austin, was one of the first donation centers to start taking needed items for Bastrop. St. Matthew's in Henderson, Texas raised funds and donations for the volunteer fire fighters in East Texas who rely mostly on their own finances to travel and fight fires.

 

St. Luke's on the Lake, Austin, acted as a relief center for fire fighters and victims alike while the Steiner Ranch Fire burned just miles away. They continue to raise funds for those victims as well as the victims in Bastrop. 

 

Emmanuel, Houston, and Epiphany, Houston have also set up donation centers, collecting goods from other Episcopal churches and individuals in the area. Many Houston churches have sent donations and volunteers to the Bastrop and Riley Road fires. On his visit to Bastrop last Saturday, Bishop Andy Doyle ran into volunteers from Holy Apostles, Katy. 

 

At this point, donation centers are reportedly full of clothes and other items. People are encouraged make monetary donations or donations of gift cards as the victims of these fires seek to get back on their feet.

 

Watch a video detailing the fires here. Visit our blog for updates.

 

To donate now, click here.

 

Or to send a check by mail, do so here:

Texas Wildfire

Episcopal Diocese of Texas

P.O. Box 4346, Dept. #199

Houston, Texas 77210-4346