Hope in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey left a trail of destruction in its wake when it made its way slowly across Texas. In just a few days, millions of lives were forever changed.

“So many of us watched in horror as Houston was engulfed in water, only to realize those winds had crippled part of South Texas,” said Margie Beecher, a real estate agent with Keller Williams City View who is operating as an information portal to help organize teams heading out of San Antonio. “This is a storm of epic proportions.”

While flood waters persisted and live rescues were ongoing, people began to realize more than just homes would need to be rebuilt. Many businesses and organizations banded together to help the individuals and families who lost so much.

KW Cares, a public charity created to support Keller Williams associates and their families during sudden emergencies, partnered with the Salvation Army to lend a hand to its agents, their families and the communities who were impacted by the hurricane.

“Their mobilization effort began before the storm hit and has been nothing short of phenomenal,” Beecher said.

The Keller Williams City View and Heritage offices, which are the parent companies of Portfolio Real Estate, have a warehouse full of donations that will fill up two semi trucks and will be delivered tomorrow to the Houston area. Teams are also being formed so that people will be out every day supporting the warehouse, working in the affected areas and helping to repair the homes and lives of fellow agents. In many recent natural disasters, teams of Keller Williams agents have been the first “boots on the ground;” Harvey was no exception.

“I am beyond humbled and amazed at how we have all come together and brought donations into the warehouse,” said Amy Clifton, the Team Leader of the KW City View office. “I want to say ‘Thank You’ to our team that went down to Rockport and Port Aransas. We changed lives down there and I think our lives were changed too.”

Contributions can provide hot meals and help those without access to even the basic necessities, new clothing for those who have lost everything and clean water, an important resource during times of disaster.

“Watching my cities being ravaged is heart-wrenching,” said Beecher. “Seeing the calvary come in to help is heart-warming and rejuvenates my spirit.”

If you or someone you know is interested in helping, you can volunteer by registering at kwrelief.org or make a monetary donation at kwcares.org.

The Keller Williams donation warehouse is located at 14888 Tradesman in San Antonio, off 1604 just past IH10. The donation station will be open and ready to receive your donations this weekend from 10am-7pm. Volunteers are ready to assist.