• American Black Cross’s Debbie Walker, Charitee Higgins from State Representative Sherman’s office, and a Wilmer police officer hold a box of food given to Wilmer residents.
    American Black Cross’s Debbie Walker, Charitee Higgins from State Representative Sherman’s office, and a Wilmer police officer hold a box of food given to Wilmer residents.
  • Cars circled the block in front of Wilmer City Hall for the food distribution while Mayor Petta talked with the residents.
    Cars circled the block in front of Wilmer City Hall for the food distribution while Mayor Petta talked with the residents.
    RITA COOK / News Editor

    WILMER – The city of Wilmer’s residents were still without basic needs last week due to the winter weather power outages. When Wilmer’s Mayor Sheila Petta spoke about the city’s situation on a Facebook live program last Tuesday with State Representative Carl Sherman, D-109, there were many who were concerned. 

    Thanks to Petta letting Sherman and organizations in the community that could help know about Wilmer’s struggles, a group called American Black Cross, headed by Ernest and Debbie Walker, stepped in to help.

    On Friday, American Black Cross, several volunteers from Sherman’s office and the Wilmer Police and Fire Departments distributed 360 boxes of protein/produce, which contained two Yoplait yogurts, oranges, potatoes, onions, chicken patties, chicken taco meat, and a block of Mozzarella real cheese – along with 2,000 face masks.  

    According to Debbie Walker, the distribution impacted 1,440 persons. 

    They also gave out 200 gallons of two-percent milk impacting 800 persons, and one pallet of boxed Turkish spring water. 

    “The City of Wilmer was thrilled to have the  American Black Cross come out on Friday and give out food boxes, milk and water to the citizens in this city,” said Petta. 

    “We also can’t thank State Representative Carl Sherman’s office enough for handing out face masks and supplying staff to help.

    “We had our amazing  police and fire department personnel also on hand to give of their time and help during the distribution of these much needed items.”

    The Wilmer Police Department also gave away a bag of stuffed animals that Debbie Walker commented, “somehow softened the harsh reality for many families with children. I also saw smiles and laughter replace angst and fear in the eyes of many parents as the kind officer smiled and playfully a the teddy bear out to the awaiting hands of a confused child or two.”

    This week on Tuesday, American Black Cross was in Wilmer again after having confirmed the In-N-Out Burger Community Outreach Mobile Cookout Truck to cook up hamburgers to give away to Wilmer residents. 

    “It makes my heart proud that so many are willing to come together to help each other during a time when a crisis arises,” concluded Petta. “We are all stronger together, and I am proud of our city, our staff and the many people who made this distribution of much needed items a reality.”

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