(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A local restaurant is hosting a supply drive to support communities affected by the recent Texas floods. The effort is being led by someone from south Texas whose family was hit by the devastating floods, and now they’re doing everything they can to help others going through the same thing.
FOX21 first introduced Cass Cameron, the organizer behind the fundraiser a week ago when she shared her personal story and connection to the tragic flooding. She said she had just dropped off her two kids to stay with her parents who live off the Guadalupe River and eventually had to evacuate. It was in that moment that Cameron knew she had to do something to help those in need, which is why she began Buckets2backpacks.
“Once the headlines kind of stop so did the donations,” said Cameron.
Cameron is a Southern Colorado mom from south Texas doing her part to make a difference for people in the Lone Star State.
“A lot of those communities are going to have that surplus at first, and then they run out of everything,” she said.
She is dedicating the next two weeks to gather supplies and raise awareness in Colorado Springs.
“My parents actually live on the Guadalupe a little bit further south OF the initial flooding,” said Cameron.
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Cameron was born and raised in South Texas, and says her heart is breaking for her community back home.
“There have been quite a few people who stopped by today and we’re happy to donate, but they were tearing up, saying this is really heartbreaking,” said Cameron.
Dara Insley stopped by the donation drive on Saturday afternoon, dropping tons of supplies she gathered.
“My heart is with people there…. I can’t think about horrible natural disasters, and I get a little choked up,” said Insley.
Cameron came to Colorado Springs after spending the Fourth of July with her parents and two children in Texas, she says her kids are still there and were forced to evacuate last Sunday.
“And then everything happened, and my mom was like, ‘I want to go do something’,” she said.
Now Cameron is teaming up with her mom, who is also collecting donations in Texas.
“I’m not surprised Colorado Springs would show up and support,” said Cameron.
She is gathering things like baby formula, school supplies, non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, blankets and more.
“I just kind of cleaned out the extra, like condiments and dry goods that were non-perishable to bring down since I saw they were collecting those,” said Insley.
One person even dropped off forty handmade blankets. Cameron also partnered with Chuck Wagon 719, a family-owned restaurant also with roots in south Texas to be the hub for donations.
“We’re proud to be Texan, we love everything to do with Texas, so if we can support and help Texas in any way for any tragedies or devastations that happen, Texans will have no problem stepping up and doing that,” said Jaden Hammond, manager of Chuck Wagon.
At the end of the month, Cameron is packing up a truck to personally deliver the supplies to those in need.
“I just think if you’ve got it, do it. Sort of that karma pay it forward type stuff that helps, just make the universe happier place,” said Insley.
To donate, email Buckets2backpacks@gmail.com or check out their Amazon list in the link above.
