In a presidential election year when political passions are running high, two groups are reaching across their political divide to help neighbors recover from the worst U.S. national disaster since Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
The Texas Young Republicans and the Texas Young Democrats, spurred by recent floods in southern Louisiana, together are purchasing emergency supplies through Amazon to help displaced Louisiana families.
The floods have destroyed 40,000 homes, and shortages are acute, just at the time when children should be returning to school. Requested provisions include school supplies, first-aid kits and diapers, along with cleaning products and household items.
We're partnering w/ @LouisianaYRs @YRNF @ARYR & @TexasYDs to help #LouisianaFlood families. https://t.co/8sKzEDOlB0 pic.twitter.com/TNyODHSU37
— Texas YRs (@TexasYRs) August 23, 2016
Sarah Drye, of the Arkansas Young Republicans, got members of state Republican groups together to help out, and after the Texas Young Republicans spread the word about the project on social media, the Texas Young Democrats asked to be included.
Soon the Arkansas Young Democrats got involved as well. “It’s been really awesome to see this project grow,” said John Baucum of the Texas Young Republicans.
Baucum and Chelsea Roe, of the Texas Young Democrats, agree that working together to help people in need takes precedence over pursuing political agendas.
No matter which political candidates people might be campaigning for, “at the end of it all, what we have in common is that we want to leave this world we live in a better place than it was when we came into it,” said Roe.
“There’s a time for partisan debate and there’s a time to come together to help our community heal,” said Baucum. “We hope our involvement can help the flood victims in Louisiana start to rebuild.”
