Making Texas Strong again: Local campaign raises $1,500 to help hurricane stricken LaGrange, Texas 

Published 3:18 pm Friday, October 20, 2017

Danville businesses raised $1,500 during the city’s Texas Strong campaign, over two days in September, which will be sent to help businesses in LaGrange, Texas, affected by Hurricane Harvey.

“After we collected the money, I contacted the Texas Main Street state coordinator,” said Nick Wade, director of the Heart of Danville. “She said that most of the Texas Main Street programs did not sustain major damage from the Hurricane, except for LaGrange.

“With that information, we knew that it was really the only option.”

LaGrange, Texas, sustained a great deal of flooding after the Colorado River, which runs adjacent, came over its banks due to the increased rainfall, according to a press release from the Heart of Danville. More than 300 homes and a block of businesses between the square and the river were washed out — the Courthouse Square was spared by only a few feet.

Debra Dresher, state coordinator for the Texas Main Street programs said in the release that the city is “working on assistance for those businesses,” until they are able to reopen.

The Heart of Danville Main Street program businesses donated a portion of their proceeds — from 10 to 50 percent — on Sept. 15 and 16. Businesses that participated include A&L Accessories, the Beer Engine, Bluegrass Pizza & Pub, Carol’s Bridal, Cerci on Main, Danville Office Equipment, the Great American Dollhouse Museum, the Maple Tree Gallery, Plank on Main and Vestiary.

“This was a devastating storm, and our hearts go out to the millions affected,” Wade said. “Our options for support are limited with over 1,000 miles separating our communities, but we hope that our donation can help this community heal and rebuild.”

The businesses had discussed putting a portion of the money raised toward the damage in Florida, too, but Wade said they felt that it would be better to keep the amount intact and “make a larger impact for one community.”