Meager Funds Coming In For West Explosion Victims
WEST (CBSDFW.COM) - Donations for victims of the Boston Marathon bombings have reportedly reached more than $26 million, but so far the money raised to help victims in West, Texas is less than $500,000.
Major Dan Ford, with the McLennan County Salvation Army, equates the disparity to the amount of publicity Boston has received. "There's a lot of need that [still] needs to be met. We hope people will step up to the plate and help the people of West as well."
Earlier this week the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Charities made a $100,000 donation to The Salvation Army to help with recovery efforts in West. Last night Salvation Army workers were also at the NFL Draft Party at Cowboys Stadium collecting financial donations.
But the most recent donation only raises the West relief fund to about $200,000, which is almost exactly what has been spent to help victims so far.
Ford said the fundraising is definitely not a competition, there are just concerns about the future of some West residents. "Many have lost their homes, have lost everything in their homes and for many in Boston certainly they did have injuries, they did sustain some that would require much rehabilitation. But measuring tragedy, that's a hard thing to do."
The April 17th fertilizer plant fire and explosion in West killed 14 people and left hundreds injured. The blast left a crater that is 10 feet deep and 93 feet wide. A number of residents living closet to the plant haven't even been able to get to their property to try and salvage valuables and mementos.
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Efforts to heal, repair and rebuild are slow and frustrating. "We do encourage the rest of the nation to step to the plate for the people of West
and help in the ways that they can," Ford urged.
CBS 11, TXA 21 and our CBS RADIO Dallas-Fort Worth stations: NewsRadio 1080 KRLD, 98.7 KLUV, 100.3 Jack FM, 103.7 Lite FM, 105.3 The Fan and Mega 107.5 FM are partnering with Albertson's Market and The Dallas Cowboys to support The Salvation Army's disaster relief efforts. Click here to find out more.
The Salvation Army is just one organization raising money for those devastated in West. The American Red Cross, Waco Foundation, Baylor University and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation are all helping out.
Ford said while there have been truckloads of material assistance, the victims of the West tragedy also need monetary assistance.
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