As part of Dynamo Hurricane Relief Week, the Houston Dynamo and The Methodist Hospital System invited fans to nominate people they knew who made a major difference as the Greater Houston area recovered from Hurricane Ike. The following three winners were selected and honored before the October 12 game against D.C. United.
Here are the submissions for each Methodist Hospital System Hurricane Hero:
Chad Loftin
Who knew one person could have such an impact on a city devastated by only three letters ... Ike. Chad Loftin, a sales manager for Sysco, worked a full day that Friday, September 12, and did not return home until late on Wednesday, September 17. He tirelessly filled 1,545 orders for companies including FEMA, Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and AT&T, taking only some time to rest on the cot set up for him in the warehouse.
These orders helped feed thousands of people and brought some relief to many who were feeling overwhelmed and helpless. Though he and his family were dealing with many of the same issues, a home with no power and much to clean, Chad's dedication and willingness to serve others portrays a heroic figure. SYSCO called, and Chad answered the bell. Thankfully for many of the displaced, Chad put his life on hold to do what he could to help. He did all this with the fact that his wife and kids had evacuated weighing on his mind. This is one time a person behind the scenes deserves to be recognized!
Conner Stewart
Hurricane Ike brought down new trees and fences throughout our neighborhood. Mayor Bill White asked people to get out and check on their neighbors, and 10-year-old Conner Stewart of Boy Scout Troop 464 did just that. With a scout knife, coil of rope, hammer and stakes, he set about righting trees and fences in the new development of Shadow Creek Ranch. He knocked on doors, checked how people were and what help they might need for damage they received from the storm.
He found most people were in good spirits but needed help with fences, trees, and removing plywood from windows. Throughout the next week he went around righting trees and shrubbery, pushing fence posts back in place, and removing plywood from windows. Taking his lead, neighbors started getting out and helping each other, talking, and getting to know one another. Stories of these neighbors' experiences growing up in scouting and the positive feelings for scouting and helping others were plentiful.
As the next weekend neared, the start-up Shadow Creek Soccer Club had planned its first games for Saturday, September 20. To help the games happen, Conner helped with the field development. About 20 teams of kids, ages 4-8, came out to play that Saturday morning in defiance of Ike's disruption, and play they did. Conner refereed two of the Under-8 games, assuring a great start and return to more normal activities for kids in their fall season.
Finally, the Bay Area Council (BAC) of the Boy Scouts of America was hit hard. BAC is centered on Galveston Bay, with headquarters on the seawall. Conner has accelerated his participation in council fundraising to aid this program's recovery.
Paul Whitchurch
Deer Park resident Paul Whitchurch is a La Porte SWAT officer, but during Hurricane Ike, and for several days after, he was on Search and Rescue duty for the city, not allowed to come home and check on his house and dogs for several days. After performing his police duties, he heard that Bayshore Elementary School, where he is the school's "Adopt-a-Cop," sustained heavy damage, along with the neighborhood around it. Paul and his wife initiated a school supply drive for the students of Bayshore Elementary to make sure they went back to class with backpacks, lunch boxes, notebooks and pencils.
