Houston, TX - When many think of hurricane relief, they think of FEMA checks and ice and water being handed out to survivors in the immediate aftermath of the storm. For those that live in hurricane-affected areas though, the reality is that the storms impact the lives of many long after the water has subsided and FEMA has cut off their support. For those people, holidays like Thanksgiving are an especially tough time; many not having either a Turkey or an oven to cook it in.
97.9 The Box's morning show host, Madd Hatta, got a first-hand taste of the economic impact of Hurricane Ike during his many days at several relief PODS, where he and the station staff, along with a few members of Houston's sports and music communities and a great team of volunteers, worked for long hours handing out much-needed survival items like diapers, formula, ice and water. People waited in line for hours, many with infants and small children and what they were going through was evident in every face. It was, for a time, the common bond that held Houston together. Most have been able to move on with their lives now that water and power have been restored to the city but for those that lost much of what they had, the need is now greater than ever.
With that in mind, Madd Hatta, has once again stepped up to help, purchasing grocery store gift-cards for 300 families in need, in time for Thanksgiving. The families that will receive this holiday blessing were chosen by Houston 's Bread of Life charity organization, who themselves are putting together holiday gift baskets in which the gift-cards will be included. The baskets themselves will be distributed to the chosen families at St. John's Church ( 1703 Gray Street), on Monday, November 24th starting at around 11AM. Hatta himself will be personally on hand to help distribute both the baskets, and a little holiday cheer - Hatta-style.
Madd Hatta has always been known to step forward when his city needed him. On the air at The Box for over a decade, he shares a special knowledge of its streets and residents. Whether it's buying new school clothes for 100 kids for their first day of school or camping out in front of Sharpstown Mall for 3 1/2 days to register 5,000 new voters, Hatta has always used his on-air reach to make a difference.
Join Hatta, the 97.9 station staff and Bread of Life in helping ensure that even Houston 's neediest have something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Anyone wishing to make a donation themselves may contact station PD, Terri Thomas or Bread of Life Director Dena Gray at (713) 320.9159.
Media coverage at St. John's Church is welcome.
For further information or media opportunities for Madd Hatta, kindly contact Nancy Byron, OGPR (832) 220.6071 or via email at nancyb@ogpr.net
