Port Neches native Sam Henderson said a Tennessee pastor and his wife led a toy drive in their community to brighten Christmas for children who weathered Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey in August.

Henderson, who took part in rescues at nursing homes on Ninth Avenue, said Scott Howerton, a pastor and his wife, Alisa, a teacher, created the idea after experiencing Port Arthur after the storm.

“The idea for the toy drive came about when Scott and Alisa Howerton traveled to Texas in early October to help victims.

The couple took supplies from Grainger County, Tennessee, that included supplies like socks and underwear. At Orange Christian Services, she said, her contact volunteer set                                                    aside the socks and underwear to package as Christmas gifts. She told the Howertons those might be the only gifts those children would receive.

“It just broke my heart,” Alisa told her hometown newspaper. “I just wanted to be able to give them something to smile about, something to make them a little bit excited about. Because they’re living this day to day.

“We saw it on the news for a week or so and that was it, and we forget that they’re still living this day to day. Seeing it is heartbreaking.”

The Howertons’ “Toys for Texas” campaign will bring a truckload of toys to Orange and Port Arthur this week.

Distribution will take place at 6 p.m. Friday at the Holiday Inn-Park Central at 2929 Jimmy Johnson Blvd.

Henderson said local assistance will come from Kathy and Peter Rachwal, owners of the hotel, hotel staff, First Baptist Church of Nederland, the Salvation Army and Lacey Holmes, STAR Academy Daycare in Port Neches. Dale Moles will drive the truck.

Henderson said questions should be directed to The Salvation Army of Port Arthur, 409-983-2229.