Hemphill County Disaster Relief Task Force

Two working committees have undertaken the task of meeting the most pressing needs of wildfire victims in Hemphill County. One—the Hemphill County Ag Committee—is focused on the immediate needs of ranchers who have been burned out, and who need to replace fences and other ranch facilities, and to replenish and find supplemental sources of feed for their livestock. The other—the Hemphill County Disaster Relief Task Force—is focused on identifying the victims who have lost their homes, or whose property has suffered significant damage, assessing their needs, and providing funding and critically-needed resources. If you have needs or would like to donate, please contact the Texas AgriLife Extension Service office at 806.323.9114. This will be an ongoing task force for this immediate fire event, as well as for future events. A Facebook page has been set up for the Hemphill County Disaster Relief Task Force. This site will provide and collect more information. If you want to help those affected by the wildfires, please make your tax-deductible contribution to the First Baptist Church of Canadian, and be sure to write “Disaster Relief Task Force” in the memo line. Checks may be mailed to First Baptist Church Canadian, PO Box 717, Canadian TX 79104, or dropped in a donation bucket at one of these locations: Medic Pharmacy and Gifts at 200 Cheyenne Ave., or GOAT Nutrition at 908 South 2nd St. All donations will be deposited to the First Baptist Church’s 501c3 account, designated to the Ministerial Alliance fund, and disbursed through the discretion of the Disaster Relief Task Force Committee.

Wildfire Relief Fund to benefit Tammye O’Neal

A Wildfire Relief Fund has been established at Happy State Bank for Tammye O’Neal, whose home on US 60 about 10 miles south of Canadian, sustained extensive damage. While the home’s exterior was not badly damaged, the interior was rendered uninhabitable. O’Neal lost several household appliances, and other contents of her home sustained water damage. She also lost a shop filled with equipment. Any help—big or small—would be greatly appreciated. Contributions can be made to the Tammye O’Neal Fire Relief Fund, Account #8029001800, at Happy State Bank, located at 200 E. Main St. in Canadian, or sent directly to O’Neal at 10284 US Highway 60, Canadian, TX 79014.

Brown Bag Roasters and Stitch organize Fire Relief Raffle

A Fire Relief Raffle offers tickets at a cost of $50/ each for four different prize packages (each one with a minimum value of $1,300), with merchandise generously donated by many local businesses. All proceeds from the raffle will be presented to local fire departments who aided in the effort to stop this month’s wildfires. The prize packages have a variety of merchandise and gift cards donated by local businesses, including Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Sugar Shack, Canadian Restaurant, Bar M Property Rejuvenation & Cleaning, Capital Farm Credit, River Valley Pioneer Museum, Bartlett’s Lumber & Hardware, Stitch, Brown Bag Roasters, Cattle Exchange, The Stumblin’ Goat, Papilion Massage, Medical on Main, Palace Theatre, The Bucket, Peppermint Tree, Salon on Main, Valentino’s, Canadian Animal Health & Nutrition, Canadian Gardens, The Gettin’ Place, Medic Pharmacy, Alexander’s Grocery & Deli, Canadian Vet Clinic, The Vintage Leopard, The Pit Stop, Canadian Parts & Supply, The Flower Shop, Native Acres Meat Co., GOAT Nutrition, TR Cattle Co., High Plains Chiropractic, Ronda Bartlett, Lacy Moss, Kelsey Banuelos, Canadian Golf Course, Meredith Yarnold and Krystal Dickinson. Tickets may be purchased at either Brown Bag Roasters (213 Main) or Stitch (207 Main), and can be paid for with cash, check (designated to Canadian TX Fire Relief), or Venmo (@ctxfirerelief). Brown Bag is open Monday-Friday, 7 am-7 pm, and Saturday, 8 am-7 pm. Stitch is open Tuesday-Friday, 10 am-5 pm.

Relief account set up at InterBank for Jim and Becky Black

A relief account for the benefit of Jim and Becky Black has been set up at InterBank. Jim and Becky lost their home to the fire on March 29. All checks should be made payable to the Jim D. Black Relief Fund. You may call the bank (806.323.6435) to do a transfer, drop your check by with any of our tellers, or mail your check to InterBank, PO Box 928, Canadian, TX 79014. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated.

Rifle Raffle to benefit Risley family

A Remington Model 597 .22 caliber rifle is being raffled off to benefit Larry and DeLois Risley, whose home and surrounding property were destroyed by wildfire. All proceeds will be deposited in the Larry or DeLois Risley donation account at Happy State Bank. To participate, find the ad in this edition of The Record or on our Facebook page and scan the QR Code, or deposit money directly into the account at Happy State Bank, and text a photo of your receipt along with your name to 806.217.0170. Tickets are $10 each, or 3 for $25.

Benefit Fund established at Happy State Bank for Risley family

An account has been set up at Happy State Bank for the benefit of Larry and DeLois Risley, who lost their rural Hemphill County home in the recent wildfire. Call 806.323.2265 or mail your donation to 200 Main St., Canadian, TX 79014. All checks should be designated to the Larry or DeLois Risley donation account. Donations can be made at any Happy Bank location. Donors can mail a check or money order, take cash or change, or wire transfer funds to the account.

Canadian Volunteer Fire Department

The Canadian and Gem City Fire Departments are staffed by all-volunteer crews, and receive their funding from Hemphill County. If you wish to make a donation directly to either or both the fire departments, please send to: Canadian VFD, 5 Main Street, Canadian, TX 79014 or to Gem City VFD, 16646 Hwy. 33, Canadian, TX 79014. A list of other area Fire Departments and their addresses can be found below:

Other Area Fire Departments

Allison VFD PO Box 25 Allison, TX 79003 | Booker VFD 214 S Main St. Booker, TX 79005 | Briscoe VFD PO Box 116 Briscoe, TX 79011 | Darrouzett VFD 111 W Texas Ave Darrouzett, TX 79024 | Follett VFD 450 W Hunter Ave Follett, TX 79034 | Higgins-Lipscomb Co. VFD PO Box 23 Higgins, TX 79046 | Hoover VFD PO Box 820 Pampa, TX 79066 | Kelton VFD 16726 FM 2697 Wheeler, TX 79096 | Lefors VFD PO Box 361 Lefors, TX 79054 | Locust Grove VFD, 12525 FM 1920, Canadian, TX 79014 | McLean VFD 100 Waldron St McLean, TX 79057 | Miami/Roberts Co VFD 214 N Main St. Miami, TX 79059 | Mobeetie VFD PO Box 50 Mobeetie, TX 79061 | Perryton VFD 13 SE 2nd Ave Perryton, TX  79070 | Shamrock VFD PO Box 631 Shamrock, TX 79079 | Wheeler VFD PO Box 711 Wheeler, TX 79096