Students receive emergency funds to help rebuild their lives

@BrittClaramunt bclaramunt@foghornnews.com Several dozen Del Mar students have been awarded aid from the Harvey Student Assistance Fund from the Del Mar Foundation to rebuild after the Category 4 storm. So far, 61 students have been awarded grants from the fund for a total of $25,650. A large donation was giving to the Foundation by the Coastal Bend Community Foundation through the estate of Olga Doan. According to Mary McQueen, executive director of Development, the Foundation office processes about 15 to 20 applications per week. “If you are a current Del Mar College student trying to rebuild your life and need…

Many struggle as storm aid is denied

@BrittClaramunt bclaramunt@foghornnews.com When Del Mar student Crystal Arocha heard the Red Cross was offering $400 in assistance for Harvey victims, she hoped it would help her return to normal. Arocha, who works at a preschool in Rockport, won’t be able to return to work until late October because of damages. “I applied because I haven’t had a job since the hurricane hit, therefore haven’t had a source of income,” Arocha said. Many people face a similar situation. Unfortunately for Arocha and several like her, her request was denied and she must now appeal the decision. “I appealed and got denied…

Getting better, 1 line at a time

nmurphy@foghornnews.com @foghorn_murphy My family and I are finally settled in our new home. The kids are staring at their new school, my husband is back to work and I am back to at DMC. Getting back to routine is one of the most comforting feelings I’ve had in quite a while. However, many others are still not able to get into routines. FEMA has extended hotel vouchers for those still displaced because so many people still don’t have a place to live. The extension will go until Oct. 9, buying an extra two weeks for those who are still displaced,…

Taking aid when not in dire need

Not only is it wrong for people to collect on goods and services intended for disaster victims, it’s also wrong when someone knows this is happening and does nothing about it. Millions of Americans found themselves in the paths of three of the biggest storms in our country’s history and are now attempting to pick up the tattered pieces and move forward. There also are several states facing massive fires that have declared states of emergency. When disasters happen and a state of emergency is declared, the Federal Emergency Management Agency heads into the affected area (once it is safe)…

Strait checks on his oceanfront property

The king of Texas and the governor visited Rockport Sept. 21 to meet and greet locals. Country music legend George Strait was joined by Gov. Greg Abbott, as well as Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke. A line wrapped around the local ACE hardware store and down the street before eventually converging into a mass of people hoping to get their cowboy hats signed. “We need to shine a spotlight on Rockport and let the nation know how important and special this place is,” Strait said When Strait took the stage the crowd erupted with excitement. Strait organized the “Hand-in-…