Watson Wire

How You Can Help

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 |

The fires that have blackened so much of Central Texas have also brought out our heroes.
 
Professional and volunteer firefighters have contained most of the fires that burned across the region over the past week and a half.  And the biggest of them, in Bastrop County, is more than 60 percent contained.
 
Meanwhile, volunteers, local governments and aid organizations have rallied to help the thousands of people whose lives have been devastated by this catastrophe.  Tens of thousands of people and businesses have contributed their time and resources to help friends, neighbors and people they hardly know.
 
My Senate district covers or will cover most of the area that’s been affected by these fires.  I’ve spent time over the last week and a half with victims and responders.  And even amid this tragedy, the hard work and generosity of Central Texans have given strength and hope to folks who need a lot of both right now.
 
But there’s still so much more we can do.

How you can help

Many of you will be at my Concert Under the Stars at Zilker Park on Thursday.  We’ll be collecting canned and other nonperishable food items and giving them to groups that are aiding fire victims.
 
Please come on Thursday night, and please give generously to those in need.  You can learn more here.

In addition, you can get information about other efforts on my Facebook page, where I've been posting updates about the fires as information comes in.
 
And, of course, please donate through the Central Texas Red Cross. 

There's so much to do to help these communities rebuild. Doing so will take a lot of teamwork.

But particularly after everything I saw last week, there's no team I'd rather be a part of.

Thanks for everything you do. I hope I'll see you soon.