DHS maintenance workers Kenneth Daniels, Italino Joiner and Exvabius Washington requested schools buses to assistance the residents of Chateaux Desha and other apartments to travel the high standing waters still present as of Thursday June 10 and Saturday June 12. They took on trip on June 10 to Piggly Wiggly and the Family Dollar and two trips on June 12 to Mad Butcher and Parker's Service Station. Daniels said the size of the buses allowed it to travel through the water and that it had more space for people to ride. The Union Missionary Baptist Church also provided the use of their van to assist a woman, who was unable to climb into bus, to buy groceries.
Daniels said he heard that people were unable to leave their apartments due to flooding from a Central Elementary School Teacher Dana Jones who knew of a family who needed food. Daniels and the maintenance staff carried 16 people over the two days. Daniels said that everyone was thankful and described the act as a blessing.
“I would do it again whatever it takes to get our citizens what they need, you do what you got to do, it just takes time,” Daniels said.
Daniels received approval for the use of the buses after school hours after contacting Dumas School District Superintendent Kelvin Gragg. Daniels and Joiner drove the buses. The only stipulations for the use of the buses was that they could not go to any liquor or tobacco stores.
Gragg praised the maintenance crew for their generosity and kindness.
“I was proud that they were able to see a need and then step and help people in the community. That was the biggest thing for me is that they took the initiative to help people in the community,” Gragg said. “First of all I hope we don't ever have that water again, but if we do then we will most definitely do that again. The only thing that I was disappointed in was that we able to provide that assistance until Thursday or Friday. Had we known that there was a need we would have started Wednesday doing that. I just thank those three gentlemn for stepping up and taking the lead.”
