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Texas House of Representatives
Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan today thanked Amazon for the positive impact the company's charitable donations have had on the Southeast Texas community. Following last August's devastating wildfire in Jasper County, Amazon worked with Speaker Phelan to direct a $20,000 donation to Jasper County Emergency Service Districts to support local volunteer firefighting efforts. Through the company's community engagement program, local nonprofits such as Garth House have received significant donations to further their service missions.
"The generosity shown by Amazon through these donations and outreach have gone a long way in helping the Jasper community recover from the Shearwood Creek wildfire, as well as supporting the meaningful work done by Garth House and other local nonprofits," said Speaker Phelan. "I'm proud to have worked with the company to guide this important funding to the local organizations where it would have the most impact. Whether in times of need or in acts of service, our communities are stronger when we pass on the legacy of generosity to those around us."
The Shearwood Creek fire burned more than 3,500 acres in Jasper County last August, and in response Amazon coordinated relief and recovery efforts with Speaker Phelan's office for the hundreds of residents affected. The company donated $20,000 in gift cards to the county's four Emergency Service Districts, which distributed the gift cards to the 10 volunteer fire departments.
“After the devastating wildfire last summer in Jasper County, our Emergency Service Districts were extremely grateful to Speaker Phelan for helping organize such a generous donation from Amazon,” said Billy Ted Smith, program manager for Jasper County Emergency Management. “This donation went a long way in supporting our volunteer fire departments in fighting the wildfire. We thank Speaker Phelan and Amazon for making sure our community had the resources and support where it was most needed.”
“This donation benefits the whole community by helping us enhance our firefighting capabilities here in Jasper County Emergency District 4,” said James Gunter, fire chief of Beech Grove Volunteer Fire Department. “Our department was able to get our side-by-side utility vehicle outfitted with emergency lights, which will help us respond to future fires. On behalf of our volunteer fire department, I thank Speaker Phelan for working with Amazon to get additional funds for our efforts to keep Jasper County safe.”
Garth House is a recipient that has benefitted from Amazon's community engagement program that supports nonprofits in the communities where it operates. “We at Garth House are so appreciative of the wonderful donation from Amazon that supports our counseling services for young victims of abuse and their families,” said Marion Tanner, executive director of Garth House. “These counseling services are a critical step in caring for victims and family members of child abuse and neglect in the six counties we serve. Thank you, Amazon and Speaker Dade Phelan, for directing this meaningful donation to our nonprofit and the individuals we seek to help.”