Madison Fire Department extends Hurricane Harvey humanitarian drive
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REXBURG — The Madison Fire Department has extended its Hurricane Harvey humanitarian drive for several more days because of support from the area communities.
“There’s been a huge outreach from the community,” Firefighter Cory Marriott said. “People have been trickling in just throughout the week and it’s done so well that we’ve actually decided to extend it.”
Marriot and his fellow firefighters have been moving the effort forward to gather items for victims of Hurricane Harvey since Sept. 2. Originally the drive was going to end on Sept. 9, but now they’ve extended it to Sept. 14.
Cedarpoint Trucking has volunteered to ship all and any items to Texas. The department has collected some eight pallets carrying about $500 worth of items each.
“As much as we can send, we’re going to do it,” Marriott said in a Sept. 5 report.
Madison Fire Chief Corey Child reached out to other fire stations in the area in regards to the Hurricane Harvey relief effort.
Other east Idaho fire stations have joined the effort and are willing to collect items that Madison Fire Department will be picking up. Stations such as the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch, the Central Fire District in Jefferson County, and the Idaho Falls Fire Department are open to collecting donations from locals. Marriott said locals could check with their local station on how to help.
Child also extended a challenge to the Rexburg Area Chamber of Commerce and local businesses. If businesses are willing to help they could purchase one pallet of food for $500. Marriott said they’ve already received donations from local shops.
After communicating with food banks in Texas, Marriott said Texans are in need of various items.
“They’re really in need of hygiene kits or just really anything with hygiene, as well as baby food, baby diapers, things like that. The last thing is the cleaning supplies,” Marriott said.
People are encouraged to bring ready-to-eat foods like water, juice, canned fruits, canned tuna, peanut butter, toiletries etc. Texans are also in need of baby items, but at this time especially cleaning supplies like bleach products and garbage bags.
Locals are still welcome to drop off items in the box outside of the Madison Fire Department at any time of the day.
Patrons can also stop by between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Additional questions can be answered by calling the department at (208) 359-3010.
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