CORPUS CHRISTI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo now has four Red Cross Volunteers working in Texas to help shelter refugees from Hurricane Harvey, and 20 more from all over the state are on their way to Texas, taking supplies with them.
The storm hit the coast with Category-4 winds. It has since been downgraded to category 2, but continues to batter and drench the gulf coast, and may continue for the next few days.
Red Cross Spokesperson Bristol Minsker says for now their efforts are focused on sheltering and feeding refugees from the storm.
In the next week or two they will begin to send counselors and others trained to help the survivors pick up the pieces. For now the mission is survival.
International Aid, of Springlake in west Michigan is sending hundreds of hygiene kits to staging areas in Texas to be passed out to Texans who are displaced, and some could be for weeks or months, depending on the extent of the damage.
The Non-profit says they are a valued possessions for the displaced, and help prevent disease.
Their non-profit depends on public donations, fundraisers and volunteers.