HOUSTON – With the holidays just around the corner, the season of cheer may be difficult for those who are still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
This weekend, however, one couple is hoping to share the joy of the season by letting Harvey survivors know they're anything but forgotten.
This couple was inspired to turn their Montrose home into a holiday kit-packing warehouse to help bring joy to those affected by the storm.
"It's really easy to put a post out there saying we're collecting decorations, you wouldn't even have to spend money, you could just take it off your tree," Meaghan Yorro said.
This Montrose couple is collecting Christmas ornaments, small trees and decor for holiday care packages to give to Hurricane Harvey survivors. They have a lot of requests for packages but don’t have enough to give. They are hoping to deliver them this weekend and don’t want to turn any families down. If you can help donate an old or new ornament or decoration, please email MeaghanElaine@gmail.com
Posted by KPRC2 Rose-Ann Aragon on Friday, December 15, 2017
After volunteering shortly after Harvey hit, this couple had a wake up call they couldn't ignore.
"Mucking out houses ... sorting through mold ... you just see crumpled Christmas decorations and children's toys," Meaghan said.
"She woke up the other morning and she kind of had this blank stare, and I'm like, 'What's wrong?' and she's like, 'I want to do more.' " said her husband JP.
So they did. Calling upon all Houstonians who were able, they asked friends, family, strangers and small and big businesses to donate ornaments both old and new.
This Montrose couple spent the day helping to bring holiday cheer. They collected donated decorations and are delivering them to Harvey survivors this weekend -- Story at 6 @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/J0KJYXTvH4
— KPRC2 Rose-Ann Aragon (@KPRC2RoseAnn) December 16, 2017
"I was blown away. We had people send us boxes from New York. We had friends of friends and companies who sent boxes. It was heart warming," Meaghan said.
Soon their was barely any space in their living room. Boxes and bags of ornaments filled all of the walking space. The Yorros were overjoyed, but worried they needed even more.
"We are dreading turning people away because we don't have enough to serve them with," Meaghan said.
"I've seen a lot of people talking about how they just have no Christmas spirit," said Meaghan. "They don't have money to spend on things like decorations ...There are less tangible things that people can do to help so now it's just a matter of showing up, being there, listening."
"I want them to know they're not alone," JP said. "Not just in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane did this city come together. It's still very united."
Saturday the couple brought the dozens of kits they made to more than a dozen families.
"We saved some sentimental (ornaments), but we can't find them," said Susan Yang, who lost her home to Harvey.
The Yorro's met Susan, her husband Pastor Danny Yang and their 2-year-old daughter Eliana.
"Snowman! Reindeer," Eliana said, smiling.
"It was so unexpected. It just warms my heart," Susan said.
"You can tell how much she loves it ... She's singing jingle bells right now," Pastor Yang said.
The Yorro's said they are willing to put together more kits and deliver them.
"As many as we can ... If we could do 50 families, we'd find a way to deliver that," Meaghan said.
To donate ornaments, a small tree or holiday decor, contact Meaghan and JP Yorro at MeaghanElaine@gmail.com