On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused extensive damage to communities in Houston and other areas of Texas. Several members of TNF Houston Chapter jumped into immediate relief efforts. TNF Houston Chapter donated $5,000, TNF USA raised $ 2,990 from donors and the TNF USA Board allocated $2,010 from the general funds resulting in a total of $10,000. The Houston Chapter selected Special CHEERS, a non-profit organization serving special needs/medically fragile children, as the beneficiary. More than 13 feet of water engulfed the Special CHEERS campus causing extensive damage from flood and the subsequent growth of mold.
Special CHEERS is a home of hope to hundreds of special needs children as they look forward to participating in therapy for functional progress. The children interact with rescued rehabilitated horses and other animals for healing and to acquire functional living skills for life.
TNF’s donation has been used to buy a movable trailer which will be used by the special needs children to play with the animals, and to transport the animals to a safer place in emergency situations. The check was presented to Fritzi Glover-Stowmatt, Founder of Special CHEERS by Mr. Andy Icken, Houston Mayor’s Chief of Staff. TNF Houston Chapter was represented by Sam Kannappan, Padmini Ranganathan, Sreekanth Venugopal, G.V. Krishnan and TNF Houston Chapter President Govindan Somaskanthan.
