SkillsUSA helped load trucks holding donated items for the victims of Hurricane Harvey on Friday, Sept. 2 to send to shelters in need of supplies. Staggering numbers showed the effort performed by several Westwood students: over 12,000 diapers, 8,500 feminine products, and 600 packages of baby wipes gathered in a matter of three days.

“When we showed up with that truck, the missionaries told us that we needed to start finding new trucks, and donations kept coming,” Ms. Carpenter said.

Four donation trucks were sent Saturday, Sept. 9, to the small town of Rockport to aid in the cleanup. School for the children of Rockport has yet to start and several volunteers were dispatched. Although this is a major victory for the survivors of Hurricane Harvey, there’s still lots of work to be done.

“The devastation is too great,” Ms. Tarver said. “I have to believe that I’m doing something, I’m making a difference. If I wasn’t doing anything, how could I live with myself? I have it so good compared to them.”

Following their success with the first event, SkillsUSA plans to increase their outreach across Westwood and other local communities. With the initiative and effort of Westwood students, shelters have been consistently calling asking for different supplies.

“Monetary donations are the best because we don’t know what’s actually needed at any given point,” Ms. Carpenter said.

Using the monetary donations, Ms. Carpenter and Ms. Tarver hope to continuously support the Harvey relief disaster program. In addition, the retail company Lowe’s partnered with the program and supply items for a cheaper cost.

“My only wish is that people don’t forget about this, and that they will continue to support it,” Ms. Tarver said. “We shouldn’t take things for granted, and instead encourage those to get involved.”

Plans for future truck runs will continue as far as October unless supplies are continuing at rapid rates.

“Every little bit adds up,” Ms. Carpenter said. “It could take up to six months before these areas look somewhat normal and possibly a year for everything to be fixed.”

SkillsUSA will continue to support the cause through fundraisers and through donations.  

“I’ve got to keep trying; we would want others to help us, we’ve just got to step up,” Ms. Tarver said.