East Texas Mobilizes To Help Alto
If you are in Deep East Texas, you know where Alto is, and someone that lives there. A sleepy little town that you must drive through to get to Tyler, or further North to Dallas. It was also my fathers home town, playing for the Alto Yellow Jackets in High School. My father, and his entire side of the family is buried there. Our old family farm is not that far away from extended family that still lives in the area. It's a town close to my heart, and one that was hit very hard by 2 Tornadoes on Saturday.
160+ mile per hour winds caused devastation, with the death toll is now at 4. That number could climb, as workers dig though the over 50 homes that were completely destroyed in the storm. Over 200 homes, that were not completely destroyed, are in need of serious repair. This is a time to help, and some local businesses have heeded the call.
Items that are needed right now include - Monetary Donations, Bottled Water, Gatorade, Toiletries, and Non-Perishable Food Items. Pure Energy Audio is a drop off point in Lufkin. I spoke to the owner Lance Hall this morning, he spent his weekend manning a chainsaw and helping on the ground. He said monetary donations are the way to really help. In Nacogdoches the Chili's there is taking the same donations till 11pm today, April 15th 2019.
Local Churches in Alto are distributing the items to those in need. Alto Missionary Baptist Church is now taking the same donation items, and The River Church on Hwy 69 is taking donations of cooked foods. Any monetary donations can be made at BancorpSouth in Alto. The fund is labeled “Alto Relief Fund” and the number is (936) 858-4416.