The suffering from the Hurricane Harvey floods continues in many corners of our city. But so does the recovery effort.

Recently the recovery marked two milestones. One involves disaster relief money that came from generous Houstonians, local businesses and caring people around the world. The other involves disaster relief money from the federal government.

Soon after the hurricane, County Judge Ed Emmett and I created the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund and asked the public to donate money to help victims with pressing needs. There was no way for us to know how much money would arrive. We were so grateful when the donations eventually reached $113 million, showing that we are truly a community that helps its own in times of trouble.

None of the money went to city or county government. Instead, at our request the Greater Houston Community Fund used its vast experience to identify 124 proven, grassroots non-profit organizations to use the money to help the most needy victims of the disaster.

The last of the $113 million was distributed a few days ago, bringing the total of Houston households helped to 190,000. The funds provided cash assistance, temporary housing, food, clothing, furniture, health services, case management and more to families all over the city.

I am very proud that we helped ourselves in a big way while waiting for help from the federal government.

In the next few weeks, however, federal housing assistance that the city has sought ever since the hurricane will finally start arriving, including $1.17 billion for housing replacement and repairs.

Marvin Odum, the former president of Shell Oil Co., played a crucial role in bringing the money to our city and hastening other parts of the recovery. He worked as my chief recovery officer for 15 months – for no pay. Now he is moving on as the aid starts flowing, and I thank him for his dogged work. The recovery team he put together from various city departments made several other breakthroughs, such as creating a network of Neighborhood Restoration Centers as one-stop locations for recovery services.

Hurricane Harvey was Houston’s worst natural disaster and also its best inspiration for charity and good works. Our strong spirit will carry us through as those displaced and disadvantaged by the floods continue to put their lives back together.