Central Texas community comes together to help tornado victims; opening of a resource center in Round Rock

ROUND ROCK, Texas – Directly across from the Kalahari Resort, which was damaged by Monday’s tornado, the Dell Diamond is intact.

Now, the stadium’s United Heritage Center serves as a venue for those affected.

“I just got back from Kentucky and this tornado, so we’ve been really busy,” said Daniel Geraci, executive director of the Austin Disaster Relief Network, a network of nearly 200 local churches as well as volunteers.

ADRN is partnering with the Red Cross and Central Texas Catholic Charities for a multi-agency resource center.

“We’re basically going to cover A to Z…from reconstruction to long-term recovery,” Geraci said.

Starting Wednesday, they will open their doors to the Round Rock community. They have supplies on hand and can connect people to other resources as needed. They also form teams of volunteers to tarp the roofs and clean the houses.

They have already received help from volunteers like Jessica Mosman and Scott Engle.

“We got all of our networks together and started a refueling campaign here, in the parking lot, here,” Mosman said.

Before plans changed, Engle was supposed to have eaten at Taco Palenque, just as the tornado hit that mall. Engle and Mosman also live in Round Rock.

“It very well could have been my house,” Mosman said.

Across town, at Cedar Ridge High School, principal Jiae Kim-Batra was joined by hardworking volunteers Tuesday afternoon.

After Monday’s tornado, she sent out a form for families to complete outlining their needs. In addition to working to meet the specific needs of each family, such as transportation to school, she decided to go ahead with a donation campaign.

Within 24 hours, the school classroom was full of clothes, household items and food for everyone in the community.

“We are here to help and support,” Kim-Batra said.

The CRHS conference room will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday March 24 and Friday March 25.

Donations still accepted include: cleaning supplies, toiletries, diapers and wipes, infant formula, bread, non-perishable food, water and blankets.

The Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) will be open on the following dates:

• Thursday March 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday March 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday March 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Residents in need of assistance can request assistance through ADRN’s Disaster Survivor Helpline at 512-806-0800. Volunteers are on standby to respond to the hotline Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The hotline will also operate on special hours this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To volunteer with ADRN to clean up damaged homes or build care kits, click here.

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