This week I thought it would be nice to talk about the support that Port Aransas has been getting from other places around the nation. This week we expect the arrival of a truckload of supplies from Farmington, Minnesota. Farmington residents started a bucket collection in which buckets were filled with donated items.
Here is a photo of the buckets and the caption tells you more.
![](https://johnwhowell.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/fullsizeoutput_14c6.jpeg?w=640)
The city of Farmington has adopted a sister city in Texas and residents are buying buckets of supplies, which will be shipped there on Saturday. For the past two months, Farmington residents, businesses, schools, and churches have come together to raise money and cleaning supplies for Port Aransas, a tourist town hit hard by Hurricane Harvey on the Texas Gulf Coast in August. On Wednesday, November 8, 2017, students from Baeckman Middle School filled buckets at Pelicci Ace Hardware store with cleaning supplies with the help of Amanda Stender, General Manager, at the hardware store. A semi-truck at the store is now full of buckets; the truck leaves for Texas Saturday. (Ginger Pinson / Pioneer Press)
The truck arrives on Monday after a 20-hour drive and is loaded with 500 buckets, lumber, windows, and doors.
Last week a former resident of Port Aransas got all his Austin friends together, and they loaded a semi with used furniture and household items.
Here is a shot of the semi and some of the items
Those are computer monitors and some office furniture.
Another photo of more items. The truck was unloaded, and people were free to come and pick up what they needed.
In a house that was completely gutted a donation station has been set up. The above photo shows available healthcare items.
Water and cleaning supplies.
Human and pet food.
Shoes.
I had to take a close-up to show that Toms donated some shoes to Port Aransas residents.
Always heartbreaking to realize the little children are involved as well.
To lift the spirit, there are art items.
The former kitchen has kitchen items.
The rules of the donation station and an announcement that the food pantry is open on Tuesday for an hour.
So day to day life in Port Aransas moves on with the help of donations.
This is such a heartwarming post, John. In the midst of destruction, the human spirit emerges victorious through generosity and kindness. Thank you for sharing a bit of the heartbeat of Port Aransas with us.
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Such a nice comment, Gwen. Thank you. 😀
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Thank you, Michael.
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Amazing, dear John! You are great!
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Thank you, Marie.
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There are so many people in the U.S. with big hearts. It must mean a great deal to those who have lost everything or almost everything. Your post may help spread the word, even more, John. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks, Suzanne. There are big hearts in this big country. 🙂
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I can’t say it any better than Gwen. Thanks for this uplifting post, John — and for reminding us that so many storm tossed areas still need our help. Hugs on the wing!
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I meant to add that someone put a lot of thought and effort into sorting and setting up the donated items. Love that the kitchen stuff is in the kitchen, but sorry to know that the house was so completely gutted…
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On this block alone, there were ten more houses just like this one. The folks managed to get all the ruined material out. Most can’t afford to replace what was lost. This house is for sale “as is.”
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Especially ones that have so few voters. thanks, Teagan. Hugs
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Wonderful ideas for helping fellow citizens out. It’s stories like these that should be getting air-time on the news – not criminals and the damage they cause.
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Or the ravings of over paid (and over fed) politicians. Thanks, GP
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It’s comforting to know that the donations are still rolling for those in need. Thanks for sharing your photos, John.
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We need every bit of help. Port A is a long way from recovered.
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This is an uplifting post, John. It’s so good to hear that this kind of spirit is strong and active. These efforts take a long time, but quickly fall from the news cycle. Thanks for keeping us informed.
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There are more events coming up. I just have to make the decision on what to post if my readers have had enough as well. The Views of the Neighborhood are not all that great right now.
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It must be weird, having decided to do this as a series. I’m sure you could post pictures of distraction, but you might not want to until there’s an “after” picture available, which could take a long time. Of course, you can always put a picture of Lucy out here 🙂
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I guess I could or even hump my books.
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Ha ha !
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😀
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Good morning, John,
It’s always so good to see examples of people helping each other in times of need.
Have a wonderful Sunday,
Pit
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The state and federal government are woefully lacking. I think we finally get it. No help for a small town with only 3,300 voters.
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I believe you’re right there, John – unfortunately. Another example to prove your point: Puerto Rico. Even if that is not a small town like Port A, but a US territory. It’s a sad state of affairs when humanity is cancelled out by political considerations.
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The way of the world.
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I agree. 😦
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🙂
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Thanks for this uplifting post, John. The spirit of generosity and empathy are alive and well in America.
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For sure, John. You have to look at the people not the ones supposedly in charge.
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That’s precisely why I’m hopeful and frustrated right alongside the overwhelming majority of Americans.
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Not sure about the overwhelming majority. Let’s just say the vocal ones.
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With so many tragedies that followed, we sometimes forget. Thanks for the reminder.
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I agree. This has been a rough year.
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We need more stories like this.
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Gives one hope doesn’t it?
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I should tell my mom what she can do with all of her excess zucchini.
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Good idea.
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Great to see all the help and that things are improving.
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It is. Thanks, Charles
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Really nice, John.
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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🙂
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So wonderful to see that people opened their hearts to help Port Aransas heal.
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It is, Michelle. Thank you.
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it is truly amazing that people have been so generous and wanting to help even from far away. Your post gives me hope for this country that seems so divided at times!
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I think our people tend to do the right thing in times of struggle. Thanks, Jo
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Thank you, John, for recognizing the folks who have helped your community out with donations. Indeed, we’re a nation of big-hearted folks, aren’t we? I know our church did a monetary donation, and I think our state sent down a bunch of volunteers, too. So glad to hear they’re fulfilling a need!
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Thanks, Debbie. Good to know.
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It does my heart good to see people helping people. There is so much hatred, negativity and evil around that we need to see more posts about good and decent and loving actions to counteract the other! Thanks so much for sharing this post, John.
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My pleasure, Jan. I agree with you.
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So heartwarming to see the generous donations!
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I think so too, Teri. Thanks.
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I love this, John. You know, I filled about 20 of those flood buckets this fall. It was an honor to do so, too. I had our youth program at work get the supplies. A great learning experience and a chance for kids in a small town in NE to feel helpful.
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Thank you so much, Audrey. I’m sure the flood victims were happy to get the supplies.
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Wow- tremendous. I haven’t seen anything like this in the news. But this is exactly what should be revealed. Generosity and kindness. Thanks for sharing, John.
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You are welcome, Pamela. Thanks for the kind words.
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It’s wonderful to know there are so many lovely people in our country that help when there’s a crisis.
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Yes it is, Deborah. Thank you.
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How wonderful, John. It’s always great to see so many people come together when help is needed. We hear so many horrible things about the human race, but it has far more good stuff about it as well. I hope Port Aransas is making a strong recovery and will continue to do so.
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We are working on it. Thanks, Hugh.
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