By Dawn Burleigh

The Orange Leader

What began as an act of kindness for the first responders in the area has now become a larger act of giving.

Barbara Brumley, who lost everything during Hurricane Ike in 2008 and suffered losses during Hurricane Rita in 2005, wanted to pay back the generosity she received during those events.

“I was doing laundry for first responders who where here helping,” Brumley said. “Some insisted on paying me. I just wanted to help them.”

Brumley wanted to find a way to give the funds back to the community as she felt fortunate to not see the significance losses during TS Harvey.

“I saw my kids pack back on the floor and while Bridge City schools had already started, others had not,” Brumley said. “They could have lost all the school supplies they had just bought. That is when I knew how I was going to use the money.”

Brumley set up a fundraiser on Facebook with a link for making donations.

“The account is a safe secure account,” Brumley said. “It is linked to our business account.”

She also said she will spend every dollar on school supplies. To stay transparent, she is posting pictures of each order made and supplies donated on the Facebook page.

“This time, I was blessed,” Brumley said. “I want to give back to the community.”

Currently, she is also waiting for word from Office Depot concerning a donation of needed school supplies.

Those in need of replacing school supplies, email brumbarb83@gmail.com.

The Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/donate/1959102151027886/1962037494067685/