Moraine Valley Students Will Make Run To Drop Off Supplies For Texas Hurricane Victims

ALSIP, IL -- With Hurricane Irma brewing in the Atlantic and possibly taking aim on Florida, three Moraine Valley Community College students are planning a run for the Texas gulf coast, still reeling from the effects of Harvey. Sisters Sara and Michelle Hruska, and friend Shannon Hartman, all of Alsip, will be collecting donated supplies through noon Sept. 7. Their plan is to drive to Texas with their cars filled to the brim, and then turn around again after dropping off their cargo.

Sara Hruska, the mother of a young son, said she felt compelled to help after seeing children airlifted out of flooded Houston streets. After seeing images of storm-ravaged Texas, she’s learned not to take such creature comforts as hot showers and electricity for granted. Seeing fellow Americans in despair, Sara couldn’t take it any more.

“The picture that stood out for me was a baby in a plastic tub floating on the water and airlifting little kids in helicopters,” she said. “I will do whatever I can to help other people.”

The Alsip women are especially looking for baby items -- wipes, lotions, infant undergarments (must be new), disposable diapers and formula. Also non-perishable food items, such as granola bars, fruit cups and applesauce, bottled water, bleach, Clorox wipes, batteries, battery-powered lights, and other survival items.

Sara, Michelle and Shannon expect to leave Thursday, Sept. 7, around 2 p.m. Residents can contact Sara Hurska by email at hurskasara@gmail.com; or text her at 708-374-0000 (yes, that number is correct) for information on where to drop off supplies. They’ll also come to your house to pick up donations.

Sara wrote poignantly last year in Alsip-Crestwood Patchabout losing her older sister, Laura, who died of a heroin overdose at age 27. She is now studying to become an addiction counselor at Moraine Valley. Although she feels the loss of her sister everyday, Sara is moving forward as Laura would have wanted.

“The way I explained it to my mother, after my sister passed away, I will do whatever I can to help other people,” she said. “I’ve learned not to take anything for granted.”

Related: Village of Alsip Accepting Donations for Hurricane Harvey Victims