Chamber & City partner to assist Hurricane victims

Juan A. Navejar Jr.

The Alice Chamber of Commerce and the City of Alice teamed up to help provide support for Hurricane Harvey victims by opening a central location for donations of non-perishable foods, water, toiletries etc.

“We were overwhelmed by the response of the donations with four truck loads from Ennis Texas and the amount of volunteers we have had to help distribute the items,” Alice Mayor Jolene Vanover said.

The joint effort was made possible with the use of the Alice Recycle Center owned by the City of Alice.

“We were blessed to join in the efforts. If the storm would have entered 30 miles south, we could have easily been in the path of destruction and it would be us needing the assistance,” Alice Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Juan Navejar said. “We have a great community with a lot of heart who have come out to assist in one way or another.”

The outpour of assistance came from all over to include purchases from Amazon from around the world and delivered to the Chamber and the Recycle Center.

“How amazing that the people around the world have donated and it is being sent here so we can distribute.” Vanover said.

Volunteers from different churches and organizations have delivered donated items from the distribution center and will continue to do so until all the needs are met or items have been depleted.

Displaced residents were also allowed to set up their campers and RVs at the Jim Wells County Fairgrounds courtesy of the county and made possible through Commissioner Ventura Garcia and JWC Judge Pete Trevino.