A couple of good news stories today out of Texas.
Silus Johnson has a genetic disorder called Norrie Disease that has left him blind and with low muscle tone. Regular walkers are just too small for him, so employees at the Home Depot in North Richland Hills offered to help free-of-charge. They built Silus a special walker using PVC pipe and other materials off the outlet’s shelves.
Chris Wright told Fox4 Dallas, “I used the foam around the edges to make it soft, rope to secure the seat. Reflective tape on it to kind of help it stand out.”
Silus’ mother Jessica Johnson said the walker helps her son be a little more independent and thanked the gentlemen who put their heart and hard work into making the walker for her son,” In the small town of West, Texas churches have played a unique role in helping the community recover from a fertilizer plant explosion three years ago. Fifteen died. Two hundred were injured and Schools, apartments, businesses, and a nursing home were all destroyed.
While FEMA is set up for long-term recovery after a disaster, they are not equipped to handle short-term relief. Even secular organizations are bound to rules that keep them from being able to work quickly and effectively. So the churches stepped in providing meals, laundry services, and showers to victims and volunteers alike.
Its estimated that $2.5 million in relief has been given to disaster victims through the church at large.