With Hurricane Gustav bearing down on the Gulf Coast, The Lombard family had to evacuate, it was mandatory. But shelters in Northern Louisiana were filled by the time they arrived, and a volunteer told the family that Amarillo had 500 beds available. But after a long drive on bald tires, they realized that the Amarillo shelter was not open, and would not be able to open for just one family without orders from the State of Texas.
After our story last night on Pronews Seven at 10:00, several people stepped up to help the Lombard family in the Panhandle Spirit.
They received up to fifty calls from people wanting to help in a variety of ways. Just thirty minutes after the story aired, a local nurse showed up at their hotel with an envelope with forty dollars cash inside. Another local man paid for the family to get four new tires on their car so they could make it home safely with their first grade daughter in tow.
Several local churches are collecting money to help with gas money for the ride home, and cold weather clothes that the family didn't think they would need.
One local cook at a Mexican restaurant said he'd be stopping by a few times with free food for the family.
It's just another example of how the Panhandle Spirit is not just a snappy slogan for Pronews Seven, it really is true!
Thanks to everybody who helped this family land on their feet before heading back to New Orleans this weekend. The scary thing is, more storms are on the way.
