Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is donating at least $100,000 to help his hometown of Palestine, Texas, recover after flash flooding killed six people and destroyed several homes last weekend.
Peterson is partnering with the Salvation Army, to help the flood-ravaged Texas town. He will visit Palestine Thursday and has pledged to donate $100,000 and match additional donations from there.
Thank you for helping those affected by recent floods. Click to donate: https://t.co/sPveltbGu5
I'll be matching your donation,God bless!— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 4, 2016
“If people put $200,000 in there, I’ll match it,” Peterson told ESPN’s Ben Goessling.
More than 7.5 inches of rain pounded the region Friday night and caused the Wells Creek to rapidly overflow its banks. The flooding totaled homes, and left debris littered throughout the town of just under 20,000.
Condolences to the Families that lost loved ones in the flooding in Palestine TX.. My Heartfelt prayers to every Family that was affected!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 1, 2016
In all six people were killed, including one – Giovanni Oliva, who played high school football with Peterson. The flooding caught members of the community off guard, because Peterson says Palestine hasn’t been flood prone in the past.
“My mom is over 50, and in her lifespan she’s never seen a flood in Palestine,” Peterson told ESPN. “That’s what was so unusual about it. We’ve never had an issue with flooding. We’ve had heavy rains for days at a time, but nothing to this magnitude. For this to hit overnight, and the damage that it caused, it was devastating.”
A shout out to this man in Palestine ,Texas . pic.twitter.com/dPNVpdgajO
— NotQuiteEdelweiss (@NotEdelweiss) May 1, 2016
Overnight #Flooding Kills Five People in #Palestine #Texas https://t.co/DqGGVMsPm6 pic.twitter.com/hCHNAMdemA
— Chris Essner (@ChrisEssner) April 30, 2016
Temporary shelters have been set up to help residents displaced by the flooding, but there’s still a lot that needs to be done.
Donating money isn’t the only way that Peterson has stepped up. The Associated Press notes that Peterson has been pushing to help in other ways.
- His company, Texas Tea, is sending a truck of water, tea and other beverages to those in need.
- He’s working to get food trucks into the area
- Lobbying his sponsors to help donate clothes and other items to affected residents.
