Month: September 2008

More Volunteer Info

Yesterday I got to help out a few hundred evacuees by bringing bottled water and diapers to a local shelter. Apparently there are now well over 5,000 evacuees in Austin, with the shelters maxing out and volunteers tiring. If you want to help volunteer, its an easy process.

Just click here to register with Red Cross and then drive down to the volunteer center, located at 2913 Northland Drive.

Here is a list of drop-off locations and items needed.

Anecdotal and Demographic Info on Austin

Here’s some…

  • Housing: The median home value in Austin, TX, is $312,500. Home appreciation is 3.78% over the last year. The median age of Austin, TX, real estate is 24 years.
  • Crime: Austin, TX, violent crime, on a scale from 1 (low crime) to 10, is 6. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The US average is 3.
  • Politics: 56.01% of the people in Austin, TX are registered as Democrats. 42.00% are registered Republican. Remaining are independent: 1.99%.
  • Religion: 46.17% of the people in Austin, TX are religious, meaning they affiliate with a religion. 20.41% are Catholic; 20.12% are Protestant; 0.58% are LDS; 2.95% are another Christian faith; 1.66% are Jewish; 0.07% are an eastern faith; 0.38% affiliate with Islam.

See more at Best Places who get their Data from here.

Several Ways to Help Hurricane Evacuees

Here are some ways to help Hurricane Ike Evacuees:

Clint Small Middle School has been designated as an emergency shelter for evacuees from Hurricane Ike. About 400 people are sleeping on the floor, and most of them do not have bedding. Here are some donation opportunities:

· Bedding – blankets and pillows.

· Diapers – for adults and children

· Formula – powdered

· Wheelchairs!!

· Magazines and newspapers for them to read

Two ways to take your donations:

1.  Go directly to Clint Small Middle School. Call Albert Perez, the City of Austin manager on site, and tell him you’re delivering items.  He will send someone out to get them from you as they don’t want people going in with loads of items because people might rush you!  Albert’s number is 589-1962.

2.  Bring your donations to the HITC office by 5:00 today.

ALSO, there is a huge need for volunteers at the shelters across the city.  There are 75 shelters that need volunteers to run them.  If you would like to help, go to the Volunteer Center at 2913 Northland (RR2222) and they’ll process you and give you an assignment.