How Austin is Helping West, TX – And How You Can Too (Update)

As families begin the long rebuilding process in West, Texas,  relief efforts are still in full swing. But while the community of West may no longer need blood or clothes or supplies – for the moment, at least – they still need money. The town incurred an estimated $100 million in damages following the fertilizer plant explosion.

To continue our coverage of ways Austinites can help those in West, here is an updated list of some West charities, events and benefit programs:

• Bookworms shopping at BookPeople can donate to American Red Cross relief efforts with a purchase from the store.
• Texas haberdasher Hooey Brands created a hat to honor of the tragedy in West. The black hat features black, red and white (the colors of the West High School Trojans) with the “Deep in Our Heart” commemorative slogan. Hats don’t go on sale until May 10, but presales have already eclipsed $10,000, with 100 percent of sales going to the West, Texas Disaster Relief Efforts Fund.
• The Texas Thunder Festival will feature performances from The Randy Rogers Band, Wade Bowen, Josh Abbott and Stoney LaRue in Gardendale, Texas just outside of Midland on May 17-19. Organizers say 100 percent of the proceeds will go to first responders and schools affected by the blast in West.
• AT&T’s Texas Disaster Relief Fund texting drive allows AT&T customers to give $10 to the state fund by texting “TEXAS” to the number 80108.
• Today, Texas Roadhouse restaurants will donate 10 percent of their profits from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. to the West, Texas Victim Relief Fund and the Firefighter and EMS Fallen Hero Fund.

You can also donate directly to relief funds online:

• The West, Texas Disaster Relief Efforts Fund was established by the Waco Foundation after the disaster and so far, has raised nearly $200,000 for victims in West with the help of partnerships with fund-matching efforts from national corporations. The fund has also benefited from a CrowdRise page, which has raised over $11,000 for the fund. “It’s gaining a lot of momentum and we expect that number to grow over the next few weeks,” said fund spokeswoman Melissa Mitchell.
• The National Fallen Firefighters’ West, Texas Firefighter & EMS Fallen Hero Fund features both an online donation option and for snail-mailers a mail-in donation program. Those wishing to give can mail checks to:

• The Texas Disaster Relief Fund is the state’s official relief fund, with donations available online or mail a check or money order to

• The American Red Cross is continuing donations for victims in West on their website, as well.