Nearly four months after Tropical Storm Harvey flooded their apartments sisters Joanna Williams and Millicent Williams are still living in a hotel.

Joanna, who lived at Pebble Creek Apartments, is now living at the Holiday Inn Park Central; her sister, who lived at Cedar Ridge Apartments, is living at Baymont Inn & Suites.

But their spirits were lifted on a muggy Friday night as the woman watched Joanna’s son, Javiontae Mingo, sit on his new bicycle courtesy of some Tennessee folks who organized Toys for Texas Children.

“It’s a blessing,” Joanna Williams said while holding the bike steady for her son in an under-repair banquet room at the Holiday Inn Park Central.

Millicent explained they both lost everything, all of the residents in her apartment complex were evicted due to the flood damage and she will likely move to Houston.

The women smiled and posed for photos with the 4-year-old and his new bike while holding a bag of Christmas toys and rolls of wrapping paper- their sorrow at their loses seemingly faded temporarily.

The toy giveaway was a large undertaking and it took a group of people working together to bring the joy. Sam Henderson of Port Neches explained that it began with Tennessee residents Dale Moles and Jim McWhorter who bought an airboat and drove down to rescue Texas residents during the devastation of Harvey. Moles, McWhorter and Henderson did rescues for three days.

Once back home Moles and McWhorter, along with Alisa and Scott Howerton decided to start the toy drive in their home state. Alisa Howerton’s efforts resulted in an 18-wheeler packed with toys to be brought to Port Arthur and Orange.

Along the way came help from other organizations; The Salvation Army was on hand Friday as well as First Baptist Church Nederland, STAR Academy Daycare in Port Neches, Procter Baptist Church, and Huntsman Corporation.

Kathy and Peter Rachwal, owners of the Holiday Inn, made room for the event at the hotel where some repairs are still ongoing and Brittany High, a Port Neches artist, created “Santa’s Workshop” decorative signs that led the 150 to 200 families to the toy giveaway.

Henry Brown, leadership pastor with FBC Nederland, looked around the room as the families trickled out; white tablecloth covered tables held a handful of small toys and a rack held sports balls.

“It’s amazing how God provides,” Brown said.

Even the banquet room where the event was held, he pointed out, with some missing ceiling tiles and the carpet had yet to be replaced was the perfect venue and represented what the community is facing.

Huntsman Port Neches Operations Site Director Chad Anderson stood with Brown and Henderson as they watched the happy families. The Huntsman Corporation made a large monetary commitment not long after the floodwaters receded and created the Huntsman Flood Fund. Harvey affected Groves and Port Neches residents who were eligible received $300 gift cards. The corporation also donated to Port Arthur Police Department’s Blue Santa Program as well as the Toys for Texas Children event.

“It is one of the chairman’s wishes when he put the flood fund together to give back,” Anderson said, adding he is glad to work with these great people and great leaders.

The Port Neches native summed up how the event made him feel.

“Me and my family are insulated from a lot of the tragedy,” he said. “You come out here and see people hurting and you get to see the smiles on the kids’ faces and know these children will have a great Christmas.”