Gratitude Is More than Saying Thank You
Last night I spent 15 minutes huddled in my bathroom with my dogs, anxiously anticipating the telltale sounds of a tornado that was predicted to hit my Dallas neighborhood: exploding power lines, trees snapping, glass breaking, debris crashing into roofs.
As promised, the tornado did hit my neighborhood and my home. Fortunately, my house sustained only repairable damage, but many of my neighbors weren’t so lucky. Honestly, it looks like a bomb went off in my neighborhood.
The tornado cut a swath through Dallas, leaving many homes were destroyed or severely damaged, many businesses dealing with collapsed roofs and broken glass, and much of the city simply shell-shocked (not to mention without electricity) today. Miraculously, there are no reported deaths and very few injuries.
It may look like a war zone right, but I couldn’t feel more proud of my community.
I’m so grateful to those who helped me, from the roofer who showed me how to start my generator to the men who fashioned a massive “No Exit” sign at the entrance of my street (because the roads were blocked and desperate commuters were searching for any way to get to work). Around the city, volunteer “chainsaw brigades” have been fanning out, helping neighbors and strangers clear the streets, uncover cars, and generally try to make Dallas look like Dallas again.
If you’re looking to turn your “thoughts and prayers” into action, here are some ways you can help those who were affected.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
If you don’t live in the Dallas area:
* Consider a donation to two of our community’s longtime “first responders”: The North Texas Food Bank has served the Dallas area for decades, and it does it well. Many families will be turning to them this week as they recover from the disaster. Likewise, The Salvation Army provides shelter, clothes, and other support to people in disaster zones. Both could use some extra aid this week.
* Help repair damaged homes: The Dallas chapter of Rebuilding Together helps homeowners around North Texas repair their homes, whether the homes were damaged in a disaster, by neglect, or just old age. Full disclosure: I serve on Rebuilding Together’s national Board of Directors, so I have a special interest (though not a financial one) in this organization.
If you do live in the Dallas area:
* Open your home to friends and family. For some people, this means offering a spare room to those whose houses have been destroyed. For others, this could be as simple as providing food, Wi-Fi, and a kitchen table to help your friend keep business running for the next few days while power is out.
* Uber for your neighbors. Offer to drive your neighbor to the Home Depot (well, the Home Depot that wasn’t destroyed by the tornado) or the grocery store. Some school bus routes aren’t running, so your neighbors might need help with school drop-off and pickup.
* Share the freebies. If you’re aware of any freebies that companies are providing to affected residents, spread the word. Alto is offering two free rides to members who have been affected with the code INEEDARIDE (if you don’t need the ride, offer your code to someone who does). WeWork is providing a free week of coworking at any location to those in impacted areas.
* Report any issues. Just because the weather has improved doesn’t mean we’re in the clear<>. Broken power and gas lines could still cause problems, so if you see, hear or smell anything suspicious, call 911. Don’t assume someone else has already done it.
This morning I’m grateful that I woke up in a house that’s still standing and somewhat intact, and I have a job that provides for me and my family (but lets me put family and safety first and foremost when things like Mother Nature get in the way). All the while, I’ve had my phone by my side, awaiting marching orders from my friends who weren’t as fortunate as I was.
