#TexasStrong Hurricane Relief

Last week a category 4 hurricane hit the coast of Texas and has rocked the gulf coast in an unimaginable way. We've all seen the pictures across news outlets and social media about flooded highways, homeowners up to their knees in water, and the property damage in Rockport. I've been a resident of this state my entire life, and like most other Texans, I'm quick to boast on where my roots are planted. I was born and raised in Dallas, drank the punch and spent my college years at Texas A&M (WHOOP!), and now live in Austin. No matter where I find myself in this great state or whatever sport, political, or social stance you take, we can all agree on one thing...Whataburger is king! I've hit a point in my life where my friends are buying houses and starting families across the country. I also have good bit of family n the area and countless friends of friends. It's really struck a note with me seeing everything they've worked so hard to start be swept away in the blink of an eye by Hurricane Harvey.

I'm trying to raise money for disaster relief organizations: Red Cross, All Hands, Houston Humane Society,  and local food banks ( Houston Food Bank, Galveston County Food Bank, Corpus Christi Food Bank, Southeast Texas Food Bank). There is power and numbers, and Texas has the undoubtedly the strongest support for our neighbors. No one person needs to give a lot, but if we can each give $1, then we can really make an impact to help those in need.  If you don't feel comfortable donating here, please visit this link to find direct ways to donate (Disaster Relief Organizations)

Over the next 2 weeks I will contact and assess where the donated money will be best divided up between the organizations mentioned above.

I can't make much of an impact on my own, but I believe the combined efforts of the entires state is a force that can't go unnoticed.  The video below is so unequivocally "Texas", that I had to attach it. This woman emobodies everything about the state that we so loudly wear on our chest: stubborn enough to brave the storm, bold enough to go out in the middle of category 4 hurricane winds, and kind hearted enough to bring a beverage out to a thirsty news anchor (shout out to the Galveston breweries).

The last thing I'll leave you with is this quote by American author John Steinbeck, on his take of Texas from his memoir across America:

“I have said that Texas is a state of mind, but I think it is more than that. It is a mystique closely approximating a religion. And this is true to the extent that people either passionately love Texas or passionately hate it and, as in other religions, few people dare to inspect it for fear of losing their bearings in mystery or paradox. But I think there will be little quarrel with my feeling that Texas is one thing. For all its enormous range of space, climate, and physical appearance, and for all the internal squabbles, contentions, and strivings, Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America. Rich, poor, Panhandle, Gulf, city, country, Texas is the obsession, the proper study and the passionate possession of all Texans.”

Stay Strong and God Bless Texas