Hays County Commissioners Court Accepts $40K Donation From KVUE-TV

Left to right, County Judge Bert Cobb, M.D., Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones, Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, KVUE anchors Terri Gruca and Tyler Sieswerda and Creative Services Director Mark Willenborg, Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant at Commissioners Court June 30 celebrating the donation of more than $40,900 from KVUE’s #HelpHays campaign.

Hays County Commissioners Court Accepts $40K Donation From KVUE-TV

The Hays County Commissioners Court Tuesday held a pesentation and accepted the donation from Austin’s KVUE-TV station to help fund new equipment for the Wimberley Volunteer Fire Department and new warning equipment for the Blanco River. The TV station set up a GoFundMe account on Memorial Day following the Memorial Day Weekend flooding and storms, using the hashtag #HelpHays to encourage donations from viewers. The campaign raised $40,942.

News anchor Terri Gruca, speaking on behalf of the station and joined by anchor Tyler Sieswerda and the station’s creative services director, Mark Willenborg, credited the generosity of viewers and people statewide who donated to the fund to help Hays County.

“We report the news a lot,” Gruca told the Court. “But, we also want to be part of the solution. We’re grateful to be able to do our part.”

County Judge Bert Cobb, M.D., thanked KVUE employees and the donors for their community spirit and generosity.

KVUE officials met with local officials to determine where needs are most critical and the group determined that the Wimberley Fire Department will receive $2,000 of the donated funds for new water rescue dry suits. The rest will go toward improving warning systems along the Blanco River once the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority, the National Weather Service and the U.S. Geological Survey finish studies and bring back recommendations. The Court expects an update from GBRA in August.