How New Mexico is Helping with Disaster Relief Efforts
This year has been pretty rough for the United States. There have been wildfires in California, Oregon, Washington, and Montana. Some of the largest hurricanes in history have hit Texas and Florida. We recently told you how New Mexico can help Houston, but New Mexico is doing much more than donating to the Red Cross. How is New Mexico helping with disaster relief efforts and what can you do?
New Mexico Helping with Disaster Relief in Texas
After Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, the Las Cruces, New Mexico, Fire Department Technical Rescue Team sent members directly to the areas in need to assist with evacuation and rescue. They worked with search and rescue teams to save residents from the flooding.
Individual residents from the same area went to help, too. Richard Bolanos of Las Cruces, New Mexico, took a display vehicle from his business, Rockin Rods Restoration and Chrome FX, to help with the rescues. The vehicle was lifted with large tires to get through high waters. He originally went to rescue his brother, but ended up helping many others with donations from other Las Cruces businesses.
Even Bill McCamley, a state representative from Las Cruces, went to Texas to help in any way he could. There were also plenty of donations made throughout the community, the Salvation Army, and schools. The American Medical Response of New Mexico and West Texas also helped by sending ambulances, EMTs, and paramedics. Businesses in New Mexico have been collecting donations and working to provide housing to those who have been displaced.
New Mexico Helping with Disaster Relief in Florida
With Hurricane Irma hitting Florida soon after Hurricane Harvey destroyed parts of Texas, New Mexico was ready to send in help to them, too. There were 22 electricians who traveled from New Mexico to Florida to help in the efforts to restore power to 4 million people. The weather conditions made it challenging to help, but they’ve been working hard, up to 20 hours a day, to make a difference.
How New Mexico Can Help with Disaster Relief in the US
You may not be able to help restore the electricity to Florida or save people in Texas, directly. If you can, then your help is needed and appreciated. However, there is much more that anyone can do to help.
Of course, donating to organizations like the Red Cross, fundraising sites like GoFundMe, and local relief efforts is extremely helpful. Yet, there is even more that you can do, even if you can’t spare any cash. You can donate blood with the United Blood Services in West Texas and New Mexico or donate diapers. You can even offer to foster a displaced pet or open your home to a displaced family.
The businesses, government, and citizens of New Mexico are helping with disaster relief, making us all proud. We hope you’ll join the effort and donate what you can! If you know of anyone who is doing their part and would like to acknowledge their efforts, please let us know!
