HOUSTON — As resilient residents of Houston and its surrounding areas continue to stand united in the recovery from Hurricane Beryl, which left homes and properties damaged and millions without power, the Rockets’ organization and its local partners joined forces Friday to provide much-needed support.
“When in need and you have the resources, and you have the ability, then it is your responsibility to give back and make sure that those in need have the support,” said Gretchen Sheirr, president of business operations. “As soon as we realized that (Hurricane) Beryl was going to leave some effects longer than people anticipated, we immediately got together with our wonderful partners.”
Such was the urgency and demand for support that cars began lining up in front of Toyota Center in the early morning hours, well before the scheduled start of the distribution. This was a testament to both the community’s resilience and the need for immediate relief.
The free supplies were provided by the Rockets in collaboration with Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis; the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region; Pepsi; Reliant Energy; Second Servings of Houston; and Cotton Global Disaster Solutions.
The Houston Rockets, in collaboration with community and local partners, conducted a drive-thru food and water distribution event outside of Toyota Center to provide essential relief items for Houston residents impacted by Hurricane Beryl. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/cKRYcKu62C
— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) July 12, 2024
Volunteers from the Rockets teamed up with WNBA legend and former Houston Comets guard Sheryl Swoopes and hip-hop artist Trae tha Truth to distribute boxed lunches, water, fruit, snacks, and other relief items, including charging devices from Reliant.
“It means everything,” Swoopes said. “The city of Houston has done nothing but show me love and the Comets when we were here. Everyone was impacted differently by this hurricane that just came through, and even though this may not seem like a lot to other people, it means everything to me to come back and be a part of this community and be a part of what the Rockets are doing today.”
Giving back to those whose lives were changed by the devastation was emotional for Julian Duncan, chief marketing and strategy officer with the Rockets. Duncan is also a native Houstonian and Rice University graduate, and the relief efforts are personal to him.
“I’m H-Town, and the Rockets are all about Houston, as well,” Duncan said. “What I hope people see is not just an organization doing community service, but the people behind me [volunteers and staff] don’t have power, themselves. They are pushing their inconveniences to the side to help out those who are less fortunate in Houston. We are just all about ‘The H’, and we want to use our platform, our relationships, and partnerships to help out however we can.”
“It means everything,” said Swoopes about helping individuals in their time of need. “The city of Houston has done nothing but show me love and the (Houston) Comets when we were here.
Swoopes helped with the Rockets Hurricane Beryl Relief Event on Friday. #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/4ojDzn4fc5— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) July 12, 2024
