News & information

NALC responds to Hurricane Harvey (updated)

As we’re all aware, Hurricane Harvey has left a huge area of destruction throughout Southeastern Texas and Southwestern Louisiana, with the extremely high winds at the storm’s landfall, the massive flooding that resulted in the days that followed and the potential for tornadoes.

The ongoing news reports on this disaster can be difficult to fully comprehend: the rising death toll, thousands injured, tens of thousands homeless or still without power, and property losses in the billions of dollars.

Untold numbers of letter carriers and other members of our postal family are among those hardest hit.

The U.S. Postal Service is a fixture in every community. As a result, whenever disaster strikes, some of us are always in the path of danger. But the fact that we touch every community is also one of our greatest strengths. When some of us need help, NALC members across the country stand ready to provide assistance in one form or another.

A harm to one is a harm to all. We always take care of our own.

Postal uniforms/footwear/rain gear (update)

NALC branches in Houston and Corpus Christi have received an overwhelming amount of uniform and clothing donations sent for the letter carriers and families hurt by Hurricane Harvey—enough to support those in need. Therefore, those branches ask that any contributions planned to be sent to Texas be held pending available addresses in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands so they can be directed to our brothers and sisters and their families there.

The NALC Region 10 office expresses its great appreciation for all of the compassion and generosity shown to those affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas. On behalf of all our brothers and sisters and families there, the region offers its most sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone who helped shine a light during a difficult time, and sends best wishes and prayers to all.

If your branch was affected by Hurricane Harvey

Here are some links to information and resource materials to help you deal with the recovery process.

Red Cross

Direct Relief

Donate blood

FEMA

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

GoFundMe

Greater Houston Community Foundation

USPS

PERF

Texas AFL-CIO

Union Plus

United Way

Volunteer Houston

NALC members who need assistance in getting help can contact NALC Community and Membership Outreach Coordinator Pam Donato at 202-662-2489.

If your branch wasn’t affected by Hurricane Harvey

Please commit to reaching out to your co-workers, family members and friends and ask them to make an immediate donation to the Postal Employees’ Relief Fund (PERF). PERF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization operated by the various union and management organizations of the U.S. Postal Service to solely benefit postal employees. Tax-deductible donations can be made in a variety of ways. Click here to learn more.

As much as you might wish to send items to help your brother and sister letter carriers, shipping and distributing goods in the affected areas is nearly impossible for now. Donating money and allowing the agencies on the ground to spend it as needed is the best immediate thing you can do.