Hi Rise Residence Relief Committee

 

 

Approximately 100 people attended the HI RISE RESIDENCE RELIEF COMMITTEE – TOWN HALL MEETING that was held Monday, January 23, 2012 at 5:30 P. M. at the Coleman Library Annex Tillman Room. Mr. Joseph Haynes and Mayor Carolyn Merriman presided over the meeting. Committee Members Barbara Brown, Evyonne Curry, Jodi Salas and Lois Wallace were also present. Raylene Watson was unable to attend.

Mayor Caroline Merriman called the meeting to order at 5:32 and Joseph Haynes gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. He then welcomed the visitors and guests and introduced Linda Brady, Manager of the Coleman Housing Authority.

Linda Brady stated that she was just overwhelmed with the way the residents and the community and First Responders pulled together to get the residents out of the building and get the fire under control so quickly.

Mayor Merriman gave a report of the Original Needs the Hi Rise Residence Relief Committee, those being a Support Group, volunteers to help re-locate residents and clean up as needed, a List of Names of all residents and a List of those that already receive Meals on Wheels .

Several Committees have already been formed. The Formed Committees in place at this time and their contact information are:

Click below for remainder of article

1. A.Food – Jodi Salas (325-625-3445), Raylene Watson (325-636-7850), and Lois Wallace (325-625-2041) – these ladies will see that residents that are located in public housing or lodging will be receiving meals daily and they will plan to provide meals with community volunteers and assistance for 30 days. If you know of ANYONE that is a resident of the Hi Rise that is not receiving meals and would like one, please contact one of the ladies on the food committee.

1. B.Laundry – Helen Walters – Helen is contact person for those willing to assist with laundering and drying clothing as residents are allowed in to get items. Helen can be reached at 325-214-2986.

1. C.Furniture –Brad Ballard (972-814-0705) will be the contact for moving furniture. He is getting our BLUECAT boys to help. At this time, we are not accepting furniture until we see what the actual needs are for the residents. Most of the furniture is still usable and after the cleaning crew completes the work at the Hi Rise, the residents will be able to determine exactly what they need.

1. D.Committee Chairman, Barbara Brown – There will be a “Drop off – Pick up” day. This will be held on January 28, 2012. This is for personal items such as toiletries, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, tissues, toilet tissue, detergent, paper items such as plates, paper towels, etc. This is for the residents and to help the families and friends that have taken them in. You may. DROP OFF your donations from 9-12 at the old Rhone building on West street across from the Court house South of Security Finance. Residents or their family or caretakers may PICK UP items they need from 1-3.

1. E.Facilitator – Evyonne Curry (325-625-2791) – has set up donation canisters at various businesses and will be media contact person. Her assistant with the canisters is Claudette Croft (325-214-7466).

Coleman Fire Department had a fill the boot day this past Saturday, donating all the funds received to the Hi Rise Residence Relief Fund. They collected a total of $1810.69!!!!

Future Fundraisers planned are:

1. 1)A “Dollar Day” (similar to fill the boot) will be planned in the near future. We will need volunteers to be downtown to receive donations. Each person will have a canister and anyone driving by can just drop in a dollar (more if they wish, of course). Our goal is to have 2 or 3 locations and have several volunteers to work 1 or 2 hours each at their designated spot.
2. 2)Claudette Croft is planning a bake sale, so we will need volunteers to assist with baking and working the table for that fundraiser as well.

Current Needs:

Volunteers to help the residents PACK and clean out their apartments. If you know a resident that you would like to help, contact them, or if you just want to help ANYONE then contact Linda Brady at the Coleman Housing Authority and she will have a resident contact you when they are allowed in to pack their households.

We will also will need volunteers for future fundraisers as well as funds for relocation expenses, food, utility deposits, etc. – Donations can be made to Coleman Housing Authority or First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 983, Coleman, Texas, 76834 (make a note on the check that it is for Hi Rise Residents), or placed in any donation canister located at local businesses.

If you want to join a committee or volunteer in any of the above mentioned areas, please contact anyone on the committee or the Housing Authority.

Mayor Merriman then opened the floor for any questions for Linda Brady and Committee members.

                              Closing statement was made by City Manager, Paul Catoe and meeting was adjourned at 6:32 P.M.