Volunteers set up assistance operation

It was almost a re-run from what happened in February, but instead of ice and snow, it was a storm that uprooted trees, tore off roofs, took out electrical power lines and damaged windows with hail.
And like the ice storm from several months ago, in the wake of bad weather came residents assisting others with cold water, cooked chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs, diapers or a place to stay.
Volunteers converged in the parking lot of United Supermarket after the storm Saturday. They came back Sunday and Monday to help people still without power or even a home.
“We’re just trying to get the word out for those who need help,” said Lamesa City Council member Doug Morris. “It all started out with “What can we do?” and everybody came out. Random people come up and make a donation. It’s crazy.”
The group will continue handing out donations until about 9 a.m. tonight (Monday). They may continue Tuesday if the need is still there.
“As long as people keep coming and as long as we’ve got something to hand out,” Morris said.
Kristi Davis and Justin Casarez, along with their one-year-old daughter Vivaan, stayed in their car when the storm damaged the roof to their home. The ceiling fell in and rain water soaked their furniture and clothing.
They barely got out with diapers, hand wipes, canned food, the baby’s high chair and some clothing.
“We have to start all over,” Casarez said. “It flooded the whole house.”
They stayed at relatives’ homes, but even they are stocked up with other family members needing a place to stay.
“Right now, his mom has all her grandkids,” Davis said.
What they were hoping for Monday afternoon was a place to stay. But even hotel rooms are getting harder to find. One hotel canceled all its bookings through this weekend due to building damage.
Marcella Aguirre’s power went off Saturday afternoon. It was back on Sunday after lunch.
“We didn’t have no power for 15 hours,” she said. “I had to put candles on my table. Me and my husband tripped and bumped into each other. We’re doing okay, with the Lord’s help.”
Morris and his wife, Claire, drove about after the weather calmed down. They gave out cups of coffee for those who needed a drink.
That’s when his wife came up with the idea of filling an ever-growing need. And other residents took it from there.
“We need a coffee pot and eight coffee pots showed up,” Morris said.
Volunteers set up in the parking lot, and quickly everybody began donating and handing out those donations. There was food, cases of bottled water, blankets, wipes, and help with covering utility bills once electricity is restored.
“Our agency can help pay for gas and electricity,” said Pablo Garcia, case manager with West Texas Opportunities.
The agency does help with hotel vouchers on a case-by-case basis.
The list of donors to the effort is long: Tractor Supply, United Supermarkets, McDonald’s, Cornerstone Fellowship Church, Claiborne’s, Republic Services, Atmos Energy, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Bush’s Chicken, Javier Arredondo, Bandidos Motorcycle Club, West Texas Opportunities, Lamesa Boys and Girls Club, Danny Jacobs, Daddio’s Burritos, Joe Crawford who cooked for two days, and people who donated cash to restock supplies.
“It’s just a whole community thing,” Morris said. “It’s just wonderful.”
Lamesa native Andrew Moore, a Bandidos member, called in his buddies to help out.
“I grew up here. This is my community,” Moore said. “I knew that people needed blankets and air up mattresses.
“They (volunteers) looked tired. They looked like they were trying to keep up, so I called in some of my supporters.”
Morris even temporarily donated his RV for someone in need of a place to stay. Danny Jacobs, who volunteered in distributing donations, lost power to his home.
Denna Racca just appeared to help out. She sustained minimal damage to her property: just a fence panel was wobbly and there were some broken tree limbs.
“We were one of the lucky ones,” Racca said.