Supplies and warm wishes given out at Memorial High School
Published 4:32 pm Saturday, November 4, 2017
- Lorenzo Salinas/The News PAISD Superintendent Mark Porterie helps give out needed clothing Saturday to a mother picking up supplies for her family.
By Lorenzo Salinas
The sun was bright and hot Saturday as hundreds of parents, children and families came together at Memorial High School to enjoy donations of school supplies, food and more.
Port Arthur Independent School District, in conjunction with The Potter’s House Church in Dallas, distributed everything from school supplies, backpacks, canned goods and bottled water from organizations like the American Red Cross, New Orleans Public Schools and the Epsilon Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated to families in need.
“We have something for everyone,” Mark Porterie, PAISD superintendent, said. “The Potter’s House brought two 18-wheelers full of goods like cleaning supplies, food, school supplies and clothing.”
Porterie said executive director of the Beaumont and Orange County Chapters of the American Red Cross Chester Jourdan Jr. brought clothing through the organization.
Groups like the Texas PTA brought in additional supplies for the Port Arthur community as well.
“You name it; we have it,” Porterie said, as he busily fulfilled residents’ requests for clothing items like T-shirts.
The high school was divided into three sections—one for clothing; one for food; and one for items like blankets. Porterie was working in the clothing section at the time, which was easily the busiest of the three. The line of people waiting for clothes stretched out the front door of the Auditorium section and wrapped around the side of the building.
In regards to the generosity of its partners and sponsors that helped make the drive possible, Porterie expressed great gratitude.
“It means a lot. While (Tropical Storm) Harvey brought devastation, it also brought unity through people coming together,” he said.
Porterie expressed his gratitude for people locally and from across the United States coming together and being “extremely kind” toward the district with “all kinds of donations.”
“It’s bringing about a lot of good times,” he said, before praising the efforts of the volunteers on campus that day.
“The people have been wonderful here. Everything’s been so well-organized it’s really great.”
Children’s librarian at the Port Arthur Public Library Carolyn Thibodeaux likewise praised the efforts of everyone there, especially the pastors from the church.
“It’s not only about the supplies being given away, but knowing that there are prayers for everyone in the community as well,” she said.
