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AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Disaster Relief Network is stepping in to make this holiday a special one for Harvey survivors.
This Thanksgiving things will be a lot different for Edward Denefield.
“I guess the hardest part about this Thanksgiving is just going to be not having my son with me,” said Denefield.
Denefield, who is from Galveston evacuated to Austin when news of Harvey came. He said his apartment is damaged. Denefield's son is staying with another relative in Galveston, while he tries to start a new life in Austin.
“I'm an optimist. I think I'm kind of looking forward to this next job, and this next business venture,” said Denefield.
With assistance, Denefield has been staying at a local hotel.
Most important to him, the Austin Disaster Relief Network has given him the emotional support he needs.
“They were wonderful. They have bent over backwards, came and picked me up, taken me to church,” said Denefield.
This thanksgiving, ADRN is letting families affected by the storm to pick up boxes of Thanksgiving goods.
“It’s pretty much everything you can imagine on a dining room table on a Thanksgiving meal. We reached out to about 50-60 families that we are working with currently, who are still in the Austin area and relocated here,” said Stephen Brewer, associate director of ADRN.
In addition to the boxes, they partnered with ‘Gobble Gobble Give,’ to provide hot meals to Harvey survivors on Thanksgiving day.
“For people who don't have a dining room table to eat on, our hope is that it will bring a measure of relief, encouragement and comfort to them,” said Brewer.
Denefield is one survivor who will be receiving the goods. For him, it's more than just a meal or two, it's the love and fellowship. He will spend Thanksgiving with his dad in a motel room. Despite his circumstances, he remains optimistic.
“It's the starting over part that's the hardest,” said Denefield.
Those affected by Harvey can come to the ADRN headquarters on Tuesday Nov. 21, between 12:00 and 6:00 p.m. to retrieve Thanksgiving boxes. The address is
1122 E. 51st Street
Austin, TX 78723