Northwest Dallas Evacuees Can Find ‘a Place of Respite,' Family Activities at Event Friday, Teachers Say

Three local teachers are inviting northwest Dallas evacuees and volunteers to a family event Friday at the Bachman Recreation Center.A house explosion that killed a 12-year-old girl in late February led to days of forced evacuations in the surrounding area. Though some people have returned to their homes, Atmos Energy is replacing the steel pipes throughout the neighborhood, leaving 2,800 people without gas service for up to three weeks. The event will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be activities for the children, including face-painting, soccer, basketball and coloring sheets. Evacuees can also get information from Atmos Energy, along with food and drinks, said organizers Kevin Guico, Lily Binford and Holly Holmaas. The trio are teachers at Dallas ISD but have organized the event independently, Holmaas said."This event is intended to be a morale boost for those affected," the teachers said in a written statement. "We want to provide whatever resources we can, but we also want to offer a place of respite for both children and adults and show them that we will support them not only here, but also in whatever capacity in the coming months."Attendees will also be surveyed about their ongoing needs, Holmaas said.The Bachman Recreation Center is at 2750 Bachman Drive.  Continue reading...