Dear Friends,
Driving past thousands of flood-damaged cars lined up bumper-to-bumper at a local race track offers a stark and vivid reminder of the devastation Hurricane Harvey brought to the Greater Houston area. Like so many, we all have relatives or friends who were deeply affected by the storm.
To put it in perspective, more than 3 million cubic yards—a volume roughly equivalent to the Great Pyramid of Giza—of storm debris, discarded furniture, appliances, and personal belongings have been collected from the region. It’s estimated that approximately 300,000 cars and trucks suffered flood damage due to Harvey.
It has now been more than three months since the hurricane unleashed record-breaking rainfall, causing widespread flooding and disruption. While many families are beginning to settle into renovated homes, countless others remain displaced and face months of rebuilding ahead.
As we close out 2017, our community is still hard at work rebuilding lives and homes. For too many, holiday shopping lists have shifted from gifts to essentials—an exercise in replacing necessities rather than celebrating. Balancing work, family, and restoration remains a daily challenge.
Amid these hardships, the Houston Astros’ playoff run and eventual World Series victory brought a bright, much-needed moment of joy and unity, offering a welcome respite from the ongoing clean-up and recovery.
Now, with renewed hope and resilience, we turn our eyes toward the New Year—looking forward to rebuilding, recovery, and brighter days ahead.
Gratefully,
Ed Curran
