Fleming Island veteran seeks donations for Harvey victims ahead of trip to Houston

A local veteran will travel to Texas on Friday to help victims of Hurricane Harvey, but is still looking for donations from the community.

Joseph Hill is a 10-year Navy veteran who was born and raised in Houston. He and his wife moved to Fleming Island earlier this year.

For Hill, the devastation of Hurricane Harvey has hit close to home.

“My mother, my father, my grandmother, they all took on water and lost everything in the flood,” Hill said. “And I was beating myself up as their only son, that I wasn’t there to help.”

Hill was injured in Iraq, and has been a member of the Disabled American Veterans Charity.

That’s why he knew he’d have an ally in the local Pasadena, Texas chapter.

“I got in contact with them,” he said. “They immediately called me on the phone, reached out to me and said ‘do what you can, we got your back.'”

When Hill started collecting donations this week, he never expected an outpouring of support like this.

The garage of his Fleming Island home is now filled with new and used clothing, bottled water and diapers. Hill said there is more on the way.

“The community has really come together,” he said.

Hill said he still hopes for a few more last-minute donations, especially canned food and baby formula.

“I feel like at this point, what’s in need is something to get in these peoples’ stomachs,” He said.

The DAV will help distribute the donations once Hill gets to Houston. He plans to leave Friday afternoon.

Hill said his only other problem is a good one to have. He is getting so many donations that he doesn’t know how he’ll haul them all in his trailer.

He is hoping a company will loan him an RV that will haul and store more donations, as well as provide him with a place to sleep.

Hill is providing his email address and phone number for anyone who would like to reach out and offer any help or donations with a day left.

He can be reached at (808) 753-4408 or at Joseph.eugene.hill@gmail.com.

Cox Media Group