Community Raises More Than $600K For Tornado Survivors
GRANBURY (CBSDFW.COM) - Scenes of destruction after last year's tornado in Granbury prompted Marilyn Luton with Long Term Recovery to react quickly and generously.
"Right away. I mean people started calling, saying 'where do you want to have our money, you can have it,'" said Luton, who's a grandmother of three.
Luton attended one county meeting, then chaired a committee that oversaw more than a quarter million dollars in donations.
"We thought, oh, we'll never spend it all. We'll never spend all this money. Little did we know that $250,000 wouldn't last us three months," said Luton.
The community has raised more than $600,000 and spent most of it since 2014. Donations have helped provide survivors with food, clothing and home building materials.
Granbury resident Patricia Barron is one of seven residents who will move into a donated house with her six children.
"We are thrilled to death," said Barron. "That ay we're going to be able to stay warm in the winter time; cool in the summer time."
The work in the small town is far from over, however. Luton said she wants to help families finish off their new homes, which could cost $350,000 more.
"Money is an issue," said Luton, who admits the organization is running out of funds.
"You have to remind people every once in a while - hey we're still out here and we still need money," said Luton. She has faith that people will donate more and that she will see families back on their feet.
"It makes you smile. It makes you cry... but it makes you smile."
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