BEAUMONT, Texas — The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in Beaumont took on almost four feet of water in Tropical Storm Imelda.
As many businesses return to normal operation, its building is just now being gutted due to the damage that was done.
The Child Protective Service staff was just recently allowed into the building to gather personal belongings. Shari Pulliam with CPS says they were in there for less than two hours but it was enough to see the damage that was done. She says they lost case files, computers and over 70% of the items in the Rainbow Room.
The Rainbow Room is normally stocked with donated items and is an emergency resource center available to CPS caseworkers when working with children. The room is stocked only with new items including shoes, underwear, baby formula, school supplies and hygiene items. Now the staff is left to start over.
"Social services is a helping agency," Pulliam said. "We go out and we help families every single day in their homes, hook them up with services but now we are part of that because we need help now."
She says the community has been generous so far with donations but they still need more.
"It's things people use every single day and that our clients need. It could make the difference in the removal of a child," Pulliam said.
She said the items needed include car seats, diapers, wipes, formula, clothes, backpacks, pack n' plays, and school supplies.
If you’d like to donate to the Rainbow Room call 409-866-8652 or visit the “Beaumont Rainbow Room” on Facebook. Donations are also being at accepted at Phelan Investments located on Calder Avenue.
A fundraiser is planned for Tuesday October 15, 2019 at the Jason's Deli off Dowlen Road. All you have to do is mention "Rainbow Room" when you order your food between 5 and 10 p.m.
Pulliam says that during natural disasters CPS sees a spike in child abuse cases. She says this is always a good time to sign up to foster a child if that is something you want to do.