DRM Update: Hurricanes Harvey & Irma
Over the past two weeks, SDIA has deployed Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) to assist those affected by Hurricanes Harvey & Irma. ROCKPORT & FULTON, TEXAS The DRT left Northwest AR on Thur., Sept. 14, and was followed on Sept. 16 by a team from Gunter & Smith Professional Cleaning Services (GSPCS) with heavy equipment, and two 26' trucks of supplies from GSPCS and Gary Eckel. Crews were able to set up their Command Center and had a secure area to stage equipment on Decker Womack's property.
From 9/14-19, the DRTs:
Cleared 15 properties of debris and large oak trees, where the two skid loaders with grapples proved invaluable; Distributed 1,200 cs of water; and Distributed clothing, hygiene supplies, diapers, cleaning and other supplies.
As Rockport's systems were restored, the DRT moved north to Fulton, which was practically destroyed by Harvey. DRTs finished up their work orders and began their return home 9/20.
TAMPA & JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA Two DRTs made up of 15 SDIA members and volunteers conducted...
SDIA’s DRM to South Texas 8/20-9/4/17
As SDIA Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) work to assist those affected by Hurricane Irma in Florida, DRTs will also redeploy on Thur., Sept. 14, to Rockport, Texas, to continue with muck-out operations in that area.
While we await news of their hard work, here is a recap of – and a few stories from – the recent Disaster Response Mission (DRM) to Texas.
The first DRT departed from Northwest Arkansas the evening of 8/29, stopping at Bethel Ranch in Texas to rest for the night - THANK YOU for your generosity and hospitality, Bethel Ranch! The next morning the DRT continued to Houston. On the way, they stopped to visit Non-Profit Partner, Carry The Load (CTL), in Dallas. CTL blessed SDIA with a $20,000 contribution toward assistance efforts, and 3 truckloads of supplies the next day. Thank you, Carry The Load!
After arriving in Spring, TX, the DRT set up their Command Center, and once they began...
SDIA Hurricane Harvey DRM Update 9.3.17
Over 130 SDIA Members, Volunteers and 1st Battalion, 23rd Regiment Marines have been working long, hard days in 90+ degree heat helping the people of Texas begin recovering from Hurricane Harvey's devastation. Yesterday alone, the DRTs worked in 7 different areas to:
Deliver water, food & medical supplies to residents and aid stations;
Boat assist 7 families in Beaumont and Memorial to retrieve medications and IDs/needed documents;
Muck-out 14 homes; and
Chainsaw 13 properites clear of trees & debris.
Today - the last day of this deployment, 130 SDIA members, volunteers and Marines will be mucking out 14 homes in Spring, Texas. Most homes in the area had water up to the ceiling on the first level, which requires removal of all flooring, sheetrock and insulation. One of many moving moments during this mission happened after the teams finished their work yesterday. One group had mucked out a Marine Vietnam Veteran's home the day before; in a closet the team...
SDIA Hurricane Harvey DRM Update 9.1.17
Over the past 72 hours, much work has been done by your SDIA Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) and volunteers from the 1st Battalion, 23rd Regiment Marines - all 130+ of them!
800lbs of food & medical supplies, and 300cs water were distributed.
7 boat crews rescued and/or assisted more than 170 Houston residents.
5 chainsaw teams cleared trees & debris from 9 homes in and around Rockport.
13 homes were mucked-out in northwest Houston.
Today, more than 70 SDIA members, volunteers and 1/23 Marines will be hard at work.
Boat crews were dispatched to Houston & Beaumont. Muck-out teams will clear homes in Northwest Houston and the Rockport areas. Non-perishable food, medical supplies, and bottled water will be distributed by all DRTs.
At this time, SDIA will not be deploying additional DRTs to Texas. When fuel and other issues are rectified in the next week or two, SDIA plans to deploy DRTs again to continue muck out, chainsaw, and food/water distributiion operations. Watch...
SDIA Teams in Texas to Assist in Recovery
On Tues., 8/29, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) deployed Disaster Response Team 1 (DRT1) to the Houston area to assist with Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts. 20+ SDIA Members and Volunteers are on site; they were joined yesterday by a large contigency of 1st Battlion 23rd Regiment Marines that are stationed or live in the area.
DRT1 received their orders this morning and are on the move to help as many Texans as possible. 5 boat crews will assist with rescue operations in the Houston area. 5 chainsaw teams will clear trees & debris and cover roofs & windows in Rockport, which sustained significant wind/storm damage, but little flood damage. Remaining DRT1 members will conduct muck-out operations in Northwest Houston where waters have begun to recede.
DRT2 will arrive tomorrow (9/1) with additional SDIA Members and Volunteers to assist in our recovery operations. By Friday, more than 60 SDIA members and volunteers will have deployed from our Central Arkansas,
SDIA DEPLOYING DISASTER RESPONSE TEAMS TO TEXAS
Disaster Response Teams to Conduct Tropical Storm Harvey Recovery Operations Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey has hit Houston and southeastern Texas with over 24" of rain, with total rainfall predictions at 40-50" or more over the next few days. Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is sending Disaster Response Teams to assist with recovery efforts in the Rockport, Texas, area August 29 through September 5. More than 60 members and volunteers will deploy from our Eastern Tennessee, Kansas, North Texas, Northeast Oklahoma, Northwest Arkansas, San Antonio and Washington chapters and teams, led by National Office staff. Teams will conduct muck-out operations, clear trees and debris, and other needed tasks. In order to ensure that the SDIA disaster response teams have the supplies and materials necessary for this extensive mission, they are asking for your help. Secure financial donations can be made at www.SheepDogIA.org/get-involved/donate. Material donations of tarps, roofing nails, tools, bottled water, hygiene supplies, or other necessities, are welcomed...
2016 Christmas Outreach Recap
This year's Christmas Outreach program far surpassed our expectations, both in the number in need and the overwhelming generosity of our supporters. When all the gifts were wrapped and delivered, SDIA Chapters and Teams provided gifts for more than 400 children of Sheep Dogs in need this holiday season. Words are inadequate in expressing our gratitude for every one of our sponsors, members, volunteers and supporters who contributed to this effort. We could not help these heroes and their families without YOU...THANK YOU! Northwest AR Chapter During the first part of December, the Northwest AR Chapter was busy collecting donations for its Christmas Outreach to give to the children of Sheep Dog families in need a merry Christmas. Once collected, Walmart's Marketing & Development Team got the items organized. The next day, SDIA volunteers put together gift packages for more than 150 children - and Walmart's Print Solutions Center adopted an additional 25 children. Thank you, Walmart!
Once all the packages were...
Thanksgiving Outreach & Turkey Trot for Heroes Help Over 600
We at Sheep Dog Impact Assistance hope that you had a blessed Thanksgiving! The days leading up to Thanksgiving were busy ones for us, and that's just how we like it! Through the generosity of many people with a giving heart, we are humbled to share that we fed more than 50 veteran and first responder families in need this Thanksgiving. That means more than 350 Sheep Dogs and their family members enjoyed a free traditional Thanksgiving meal of turkey, ham, sides and pie. We also dropped off food at 30+ fire departments and police stations.
Thanksgiving morning brought gorgeous weather for our 9th annual Turkey Trot for Heroes 5K at the Center for Nonprofits in Rogers, Arkansas. Nearly 700 runners, walkers and Wild Gobblers participated in this year's Turkey Trot, which helped us raise more than $12,000! These funds will be used to provide gifts to the approximately 300 children of Sheep Dogs in need through our Christmas Outreach efforts. More photos...
Run in the NWA Turkey Trot 5K & Provide Christmas Gifts for Children
Most children cannot wait for Christmas morning to arrive. Seeing the gifts under the Christmas tree, opening them and playing with desired toys and games is what childhood dreams are made of. But for hundreds of children of military and first responder families in Northwest Arkansas and across the United States, there won't be gifts to be opened. You can help change that! On Thanksgiving morning (Thur., Nov. 24) from 9:00 to 11:00am, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) will host its 9th Annual Turkey Trot 5K at the Center for Nonprofits in Rogers. Your participation in (or donation to) the NWA Turkey Trot provides the funding needed for our Christmas Outreach program, which gives the children of struggling Sheep Dogs gifts of toys, clothing, and necessities to open at Christmas. “As this event grows and raises more funds, we are able to help more and more children of Sheep Dog families have a merry Christmas,” said SgtMaj...
The 2016 Holiday Season is Upon Us – and We Need YOUR Help!
The holiday season is upon us once again. Most Americans live well enough to enjoy the holidays, but for many of our nation's Veterans and First Responders (Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, and EMS professionals), that is not the case. These courageous men and women put their lives on the line for us each and every day, giving us the gift of protection and security. It's time for us to give them and their children the gift of happy holidays. Over the next couple of months, SDIA Teams and Chapters throughout the US will be working hard to raise money and secure donations for our two Holiday Programs benefiting Sheep Dog families in need.
The Thanksgiving Outreach program provides a complete traditional Thanksgiving dinner including a turkey, ham, vegetables, sides, and pie. Meals are provided to Sheep Dog families in need of assistance who have applied and been approved by Team/Chapter leadership. Donations in the amount of $60 will feed one family.
Our...