United Way of Hays County flood relief fund supports 50 families to move back home.
More than 50 Hays and Caldwell County families will be moving back into their homes damaged by the 2015 floods, thanks to hundreds of donors who gave to the United Way of Hays County Flood Disaster Recovery Fund, United Way officials announced Friday.
United Way presented $420,000 to several organizations dedicated to assist Hays and Caldwell County residents with flood recovery from the devastating Memorial Day and All Saints floods of 2015.
“The fund was established immediately following last year’s Memorial Day Flood event. In the weeks and months after the disaster, more than $525,000 were raised through a variety of events and fundraisers, along with private and corporate donations,” said Michelle Harper, presidents and CEO of United Way of Hays County.
Funds were presented to the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team, San Marcos Housing Authority and St. Bernard Project at a press conference Friday.
Major donors to the flood were recognized at the event. Jeremy and Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October, Omar Dawoud of the Marc and community volunteers Molly Ann Garcia, Margaret Ennis, Clarissa DeSanto and Scott Gregson put together a concert, BandTogetherTX, headlined by San Marcos’ own Blue October, at San Marcos’ Marc concert venue in less than two weeks that raised more than $180,000.
Thomas Graham, Clayton Corn, and Jake Clements of Crosswind Media and Public Relations of Austin organized an Austin concert, Austin FloodAidTX, that raised more than $75,000 and brought out some of Texas’ most prominent bands and musicians to assist Hays County flood victims..
Shiner Beer gave a corporate donation of $25,000, and Junk Gypsy raised over $45,000 from the sale of specially-designed t-shirts. Kyle resident Lauren Flake, designer of the “Texas Strong” tanks and t-shirts have raised close to $150,000.
“These individuals and businesses, along with hundreds of individual donors, local small businesses ands Texas State University student organizations have made it possible for United Way to direct much-needed dollars to repair more than 50 homes for some of our most vulnerable residents to move home this year,” Harper said.
United Way board president Michelle Hamilton said the public outpouring of support demonstrates the dedication of Hays and Caldwell County residents to their neighbors. “We are honored to be able to award three organizations over $420,000 today to support the rebuilding of homes and lives in Hays and Caldwell Counties. These organizations combined will bring over 50 families home in 2016,” she said.
Flood recovery is a long-term mission, Hamilton said. “It is our hope that by awarding these funds, United Way of Hays County can bring attention to the continuing need of flood survivors. There is still much to be done and more funds are needed. United Way is proud to have been a part of the initial flood recovery.”
United Way of Hays County awarded the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team $25,000 to aid in meeting the unmet needs of clients who have applied to the BR3T for assistance. James Gabriel, Executive Director of the BR3T accepted the donation. The BR3T continues to collect funds for long-term recovery.
The San Marcos Housing Authority, which has been a United Way partner since the organization was established more than 30 years ago, received $70,000 to repair or rebuild more than 10 homes at the CM Allen Homes site that were damaged both in the Memorial Day and All Saints Floods.
In addition to this donation, United Way is funding the repair of four additional units being rebuilt by the St. Bernard Project. Albert Sierra, Executive Director of the San Marcos Housing Authority, accepted the funds.
St. Bernard Project was awarded $324,000. “Staff from the St. Bernard Project has been on the ground since five days immediately following the Memorial Day flood, working hand-in-hand with United Way and other recovery organizations in Hays and Caldwell Counties to provide immediate relief and now rebuilding support to friends and neighbors affected by both floods,” Harper explained.
To date, St. Bernard Project has rebuilt eight homes in Hays County with the goal of rebuilding at least 30 in 2016, said Reese May, National Recovery Director for the St. Bernard Project, who accepted the check from United Way.
This is the second major distribution of flood relief funds. In the weeks following both floods, $40,000 funding was initially provided to Southside Community Center, My Neighbor’s Keeper, Barnabas Connection, Serve San Marcos and the Ministerial Alliance of Caldwell County. Additionally, $5,000 in gift cards for basic services were distributed directly to flood victims in the days immediately following the floods.
One hundred percent of donations received have directly assisted flood victims, with United Way covering the cost of administering and stewardship of the donations.
While flood recovery is not the main mission of United Way, the 32-year old organization is dedicated to assisting Hays County residents and was well-positioned to support these efforts, Hamilton said.
“United Way of Hays County, together with its community partners, advances the common good by investing in and developing programs that address critical needs in education, income/financial stability, and health in Hays County,” she said.
“United Way of Hays County believes that the building blocks of a good life are a quality education, enough income to support a family through retirement and good health. By bringing people and resources together to address these issues and by attacking their underlying causes, United Way of Hays County and its partner agencies are making lasting, fundamental change for everyone.”
For more information on United Way of Hays County, contact Michelle Harper at 512.353.1420 or michelleharper@centurytel.net.