Distribution team coordination in place

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) - Central Texas residents have been overwhelmingly generous with donations this past week to the victims of the fires in Bastrop, many of whom lost everything they own. More than 1,500 houses were destroyed in the blaze that is 60 percent contained as of Monday.

Cash donations and personal goods, such as toiletries, clothing and supplies for children and babies, have poured in via donation drives, fundraising concerts and percentages of sales at area restaurants held the past few days.

The supply of donations is now being coordinated and distributed via staff and volunteers working through a partnership of the Bastrop County Ministerial Alliance and the Austin Disaster Relief Network.

Pastor Bernie Jackson, president of BCMA, said Monday that ADRN has three or four warehouses in Austin where all the items are being stored and sorted.

Volunteers needed to unload, sort

One of the warehouses is located in northeast Austin, overseen for now by Catholic Charities of Central Texas. They are still in need of volunteers to help with sorting, and ask anyone who wants to help to come by the facility at 9204 Brown Lane .

Another warehouse in need of volunteers on Tuesday is overseen by The Salvation Army. Six of nine semi-trucks loaded with donations from the KXAN and Walmart drive, "Neighbors Helping Neighbors," needs people to help starting at 9 a.m. at the warehouse at 12317 Technology Blvd, #300. Michelle Parker of The Salvation Army is the contact person on site Tuesday.

Where to pick up needed goods

Goods are being distributed to fire victims in need at the Rundell Business Park facility, at 704 W. Highway 71 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Jackson said that no one in need will be turned away, and that as items are given out, more will be replenished from the storage warehouses.

"We want to give the fire victims anything they need," Jackson said. "We are so grateful to the public for their overwhelming generosity."

Future goods needed -- Appliances and furniture

Jackson said that in two days --  once everyone is let back into their properties -- BCMA and ADRN will start to ask the public for donations of appliances and furniture, after the homeowners notify BCMA of what they need. These items will also be sorted and stored at the warehouses in Austin.

Until fire victims all see their homes and the condition they are in, it is not yet known what type of appliances and furniture will be asked for. BCMA will produce a list for the public.

Monetary donations

There are three ways that BCMA is asking donations of money to be made:

• Via online at www.bcmatx.org
• Mail a check or money order to: BCMA, PO Box 876, Bastrop TX 78602
• Drop off monetary donations at the Bastrop Convention and Exhibit Center , 1408 Chestnut St., Bastrop, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Fundraising events

Austin's Pizza will hold a fundraising concert for fire victims Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 3638 Bee Caves Road, Austin. Call 512-448-4294 for more information.

An ongoing event is the "I (heart) Bastrop" T-shirt sale and supply drive, sponsored by The University of Texas Senate of College Councils at the UT Co-op on campus.

Concerts were held on Saturday and Sunday in Austin, at The Red Shed and Nutty Brown Cafe, to raise money for the fire victims.

A "Welcome Home Party" for Steiner Ranch residents was held on Saturday, sponsored by H.E.B.

Also, an appreciation event and fundraiser was held for the  Lake Travis Fire and Rescue Saturday night.