Habitat for Humanity of Laredo and the Río Grande International Study Center (RGISC) have teamed up with District VIII Council Member Alyssa Cigarroa to provide critical emergency relief to multiple Laredo families through PlumbFix.
Details of the program were announced at a Feb. 25 press conference at the Habitat for Humanity of Laredo office.
This unique collaboration is a pilot program aimed at low-income homeowners of District VIII to address broken water lines and the cost of repair, following last week’s unprecedented winter storm, that left many without access to clean water for drinking and hygiene.
“We’re doing this because we’re not going to wait for help,” Cigarroa said. “The severe winter storm has had especially harsh consequences in District VIII. Homes in the District are among the oldest in Laredo.”
The polar vortex that drove Laredo temperatures into the teens, left in its wake broken water pipes, exacerbating the struggle of many local families who were already without power due to an extraordinary collapse of the Texas energy grid.
“Water is life,” said Tricia Cortez, executive director of RGISC, an environmental nonprofit which was established in District VIII more than a quarter century ago. “Helping families without the means to pay for these costly plumbing repairs to restore their access to running water is the least that we can do.”
Carol Sherwood, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Laredo, agreed. “Disaster strikes hardest at those most vulnerable,” she said. “Habitat for Humanity of Laredo is pleased to partner with this worthwhile project to help some low income homeowners find stability after the winter storm.”
The broken pipes left behind by the winter storm have intensified the economic distress that many in the community were already experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cigarroa added. The program will prioritize emergency pipe repair that poses a risk to the life, health, or safety of the the District’s residents.
To provide as much assistance as possible to those in need, PlumbFix is challenging the community to a one-week fundraising blitz. Donations can be made via:
- Go Fund Me at bit.ly/LaredoPipeRepair
- Checks can be made to RGISC with the note “PlumbFix” and mailed to 1 West End Washington Street, Bldg. P-11, Laredo, TX 78041, or calling the RGISC office at 956-718-1063 to make arrangements for a donation pick up.
District VIII residents in need of help should contact the Habitat office right away at (956) 724-3227. 100% of proceeds used to fund this initiative will beadministered by Habitat for Humanity of Laredo.
