Residents in the Bay area and Central Florida are working together to help victims of Hurricane Harvey.

  • 'I-4 to Texas Relief Effort' continues into weekend
  • Goal is deliver supplies to areas devastated by Harvey
  • Donations will be driven to Texas next week
  • Our sister stations in Austin and San Antonio are providing continuous coverage of Harvey throughout the event. For more details on the impacts in those areas, visit the Spectrum News Austin and Spectrum News San Antonio websites.

It's the "I-4 to Texas Relief Effort."

Volunteers are collecting donations at the American Legion Post #71 in Lake Wales.

"We're Americans," said retired marine Kathryn Gates-Skipper, who helped organize the drive.

"We help. No matter who, what, how, when or why, we help. That's what it's about."

After watching the devastation in Texas on television, residents dropped off supplies. They said they felt compelled to help out.

"I know if it was me I would need help too," said mother Jamise Jones. Holding her own newborn, she donated baby formula and other supplies for the youngest of victims.

"They have nothing, absolutely nothing," said Laura Kingsley, who runs the home health care facility, We Elderly Care. Kingsley donated blankets and adult diapers.

"We have these things, and as small of a donation as this is, maybe it'll help somebody," Kingsley said.

Donations will be accepted at the American Legion post from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Volunteers said they'll also need help loading the items onto a truck Thursday afternoon.

The "I-4 to Texas Relief" effort will continue at Belle Isle City Hall until Sunday.

There is also a drop off location on Thursday and Friday, starting at noon, at the Winn Dixie Plaza, 684 E. Highway 50, in Clermont.

Volunteers expect to drive all the donations to Texas by next week. 

Organizers said they're working with Americorps to make sure the items go directly to people in need.