As parts of Texas continue to recover and rebound from Hurricane Harvey, local residents, schools, businesses and churches here have stepped up to lend a helping hand.
“It’s up to us as individuals, families and business owners to do what we can to help,” said Richard Hughes, owner of Richard’s Automotive Repair LLC.
Hughes has opened up his York Alpha Drive shop to donations of necessities like bottled water, undergarments, clothing, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, infant supplies and animal food, which he and his wife will personally load onto pallets and drive to Houston for distribution via the American Red Cross. The couple is planning to depart by rented truck on October 15. Checks made out to the American Red Cross will also be accepted and hand-delivered.
“This is just my chance to give back and help out,” Hughes said, who is also partnering with the city schools to collect donations. “It’s just the right thing to do. When you’re in a position to give back, I think we all need to step up.”
Donations can be delivered through October 14 to Richard’s Automotive Repair LLC located at 9761 York Alpha Drive anytime between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
“This is new for me and I’m going off a list provided by the Red Cross, but I’m up for the challenge,” Hughes said.
For more information, contact Richard’s Automotive Repair at (440) 457-7800.
Together with Hughes, the city schools collected money and items for hurricane relief and the Red Cross during the Sept. 8 football game versus Highland High School-Medina. Albion Elementary held a “Spirit/Pajama Day” raising funds for the American Red Cross, and Royal View and Valley Vista opened their doors for donations of water, toilet paper, toothbrushes and toothpaste, hair combs and brushes, nonperishable foods and snacks, coffee, juice boxes and pouches, diapers, batteries, flashlights and blankets, according to information released by the school district.
In addition, the Middle School held a “Coin War” fund-raiser Sept. 11-15 and donated proceeds from the Bears Den Café to the hurricane fund. The high school also set up donation boxes in Heritage Hallway collecting items for donation, and accepted donations by check.
Saint Albert the Great School is partnering with Houston’s St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School to aid in recovery of their building, which was completely destroyed by Hurricane Harvey. According to an article posted Sept. 7 via the Catholic News Service, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and School were covered in at least four feet of water and students there were transferred to a nearby Catholic school. St. Albert the Great Pastoral Associate Mary Pat Frey has been exchanging emails with St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School Principal Tawana Fulmer to discuss needed items, such as textbooks. Apart from their monthly collection, students at St. Albert the Great School will also engage in a Spirit Day on Sept. 21 that will garner funds and focus their prayers and intentions to St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and nature.
“Our desire was to make it as personal as possible to our students by being involved with another Catholic school,” Vittardi said. “There’s the opportunity also to create relationships even after the relief efforts.”
St. Albert the Great Church also held special collections and dedicated prayer intentions to victims of Hurricane Harvey, Irma and other tropical storms.
“What we see in the midst of this terrible tragedy, as we see with all brokenness, human sorrow, and suffering is the opportunity for our better nature, our god-likeness to shine forth in the charity and the help and the sacrifice that people make for the sake of others who are in trouble,” said the Rev. Edward Estok, via email.
At Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church, $5,200 was collected during Sept. 3 services and collections will continue throughout September via the “Helping Hand” Collection Box, said the Rev. Dave Luecke, missions pastor. The church also collected items at all weekend services that were sent down to Houston and distributed amongst various Lutheran congregations. There is also a portal on Royal Redeemer’s website garnering hurricane relief donations via The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Learn more at lcms.org/givenow/hurricane.
“The Lutheran Church has a long record of service to others,” Luecke said. “A big part of who we are is to serve others.”

  

By SARA MACHO HILL
Contributing Writer

Group photo submitted by Richard Hughes of Richard’s Automotive Repair LLC

House and Boat damage photos submitted by Jayson Koch, former North Royalton resident, now living in the area of Pinecrest, Coral Gables and Coconut Grove Florida