District Five launches #FloodTheTruck effort to help with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts

Students and staff in Lexington-Richland School District Five are gathering supplies and raising funds to assist Houston-area residents affected by Hurricane Harvey.

The district’s new #FloodTheTruck initiative is part of a collaboration with the Partnership Liasion for the Houston Independent School District to collect and deliver cleaning products, toiletries and other essentials needed to help relief efforts. Items will be collected at schools and the district office now through October 6. A complete list of items can be found on the district’s social media sites and website at www.lexrich5.org/FloodTheTruck/.

“There is still a great need in Houston, and we want to do our part to help,” said Kelly Brown, a District Five Student Services Officer who is leading the effort for the district. “Two years ago we were the benefactors of a similar initiative, when students in Wisconsin collected items and sent an 18-wheeler full with supplies to District Five to help with our flood recovery. Now, it’s our time to let our community pay it forward and help others.”

More than 70 of the 245 school in the Houston Independent School District had major damage after Hurricane Harvey. That could close schools for months, officials told multiple media outlets.

Several schools and offices in District Five have come up with creative ways to encourage community members to donate to #FloodTheTruck. At Spring Hill High School, student council members have created a commemorative t-shirt for purchase. The front of the shirt reads “Together” with the “O” serving as the image of Texas. On the back, the image of Texas is displayed with the imprint of a red South Carolina image in the Houston area.

On October 12, an 18-wheel truck will be “flooded” with items collected and sent to Houston.

“Our thoughts and prayers continue to extend to the families and victims of Hurricane Harvey,” said District Five Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hefner. “I want to especially thank our Student Services department for taking the lead on this initiative. We have always considered District Five to be extraordinary and what better way to exemplify that than to join together and #FloodTheTruck to assist those affected in Texas.”

To purchase a shirt, visit https://goo.gl/forms/IhdYMeWRox5D7ixv2.

Spring Hill High School student council members created a commemorative t-shirt to raise funds for District Five’s #FloodTheTruck initiative.