Normally, when I write an article, I am sharing one of the latest digital marketing resources we’ve recently published to help you maximize your bank's or credit union's digital growth potential.
But today, however, I'm asking for your help.
I grew up in Houston.
Houston is where my wife and I are raising our kids.
Houston is home.
The rain in Houston started to fall Friday as Hurricane Harvey came to shore and it has not stopped since.
I've lived through multiple hurricanes and tropical storms before but I have never seen anything like what I'm watching unfold before me now. In just three days, more than 9 trillion gallons of water fell on our city.
And it’s not over yet.
It’s still raining as I write this to you while the bayous and rivers have far beyond exceeded their banks.
I’m OK but families in Houston need your help.
Over the past few days, I have received emails, texts, and private messages on social media from people around the world asking if I’m OK.
Many of you have also asked what you can do to help.
Fortunately, my family, our home, and our team are all safe and we’ve been spared damage. I am thankful and grateful for the outpouring of support and concern from the Digital Growth Community.
But it is not me that needs your help.
Thousands of people and families throughout our Houston are hurting.
The Coast Guard continues to receive upwards of 1,000 calls per hour. Officials are now estimating that more than 30,000 people will be displaced into shelters in addition to more than 450,000 seeking some sort of disaster assistance.
While it’s still too early to determine how widespread the damage will be, by the time this catastrophic event is over, it is estimated that Houston will have received 50 inches of rain, the equivalent of a normal year’s worth, in just one week.
However, even as the rain continues to fall, the people of our city are already coming together to rescue and lift each other up. Over the weekend, volunteers with boats who could mobilize were quick to jump in and help authorities rescue people from their flooded homes.
It’s our turn to help the families of Houston.
Financial stress takes a toll on a person’s health and family relationships.
We do what we do at Digital Growth Institute because we understand how stressful money and finances can be. We also know the negative impact this stress can have on a person’s overall health and family relationships.
This is why we continue to help banks and credit unions guide people in the communities they serve towards a brighter financial future.
However, the everyday financial stress people normally feel will be greatly amplified through the losses they will experience as a result of this catastrophic event.
That’s why I am asking for your help today.
The Digital Growth Community is made of up great financial institution leaders from banks and credit unions around the world.
And with a donation as small as $1 from everyone in the Digital Growth Community, we can work together to raise over $8,000 to help Houston families in need.
As a father of four small children, I want to ease the financial burden and stress for Houston families in need. And together with you, we can help Houston families start to recover from the many losses they have experienced from Hurricane Harvey.
Digital Growth Institute will ensure 100% of your donation goes directly to supply Houston families in need of post-hurricane recovery with financial assistance for:
- Food
- Water
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Clothing
- Repairs to flooded homes
- A safe place to stay for the displaced
In the meantime, please continue to keep the people and families of Houston in your thoughts and prayers.
This article was originally published on August 29, 2017. All content © 2024 by Digital Growth Institute and may not be reproduced by any means without permission.
