KERRVILLE, Texas, Texas (KETK) – As the death toll from recent flooding rises in Central Texas, many organizations from across the state are stepping up to help raise money for flood recovery efforts.
On Sunday, the Associated Press reported that at least 70 people have been killed and 11 campers from Camp Mystic are still missing after flash flooding raised the Guadalupe River in Kerr County by 26 feet in under an hour on Friday.
KETK News has put together the following fundraisers and volunteering efforts that are being organized to help communities in Kerr County and across Central Texas.
Texas State Rep. Jared Patterson of Frisco and State Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso announced a bipartisan effort to raise $150,000 for the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.
The Community Foundation is raising money for the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund which will support the communities of Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, Center Point and Comfort with rescue, relief and recovery efforts.
In East Texas, the Elysian Fields FFA, Carlisle FFA and Hallsville FFA chapters are teaming up with LM Construction Services LLC to collect much needed items and gift cards for families impacted by flooding in Central Texas.
LM Construction said they plan to gather enough supplies to fill up a trailer that’s leaving for Kerrville on July 18. The company said most donation sites no longer need clothes but they do need cleaning supplies like:
- Mops
- Brooms
- Bleach
- Work gloves
- Rubber boots
- Five-gallon buckets
- Bug spray
- Squeegees
- Hand tools like rakes, shovels and hammers.
Donations for the LM Construction trailer can be dropped off at any of the following locations across East Texas:
- Sobol Welder Supply in Longview
- Free Up Storage locations in Longview and Tyler
- American State Bank in Arp
- The Hallsville FFA
- The Carlisle FFA
- The Elysian Fields Ag shop
- Henderson Federal Saving Bank
- FairWay Ford in Henderson
KETK Anchor Kaci Koviak shared that the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department (CPVFD) is collecting donations through their Venmo account after their station was flooded while their team was out conducting water rescues on Friday.
“The CPVFD is badly damaged and 99% of the firefighting equipment is lost or destroyed – CPVFD is still making every call along with other departments and agencies,” the CPVFD said. “From the bottom of our hearts we thank all of you that have been working to get our station back together so we can continue to search for flood victims.”
Patrick Johnson with J-Star Ministries in Harleton is planning on making a second trip to Kerrville to deliver supplies like shoes, toiletries, first aid kits, tarps, water and more. He’s accepting donations at 714 N. High St. and 2304 Gilmer Rd. in Longview from Monday through Friday.
GoFundMe has launched a webpage compiling flood recovery fundraisers from across the country, including fundraising campaigns launched from recently flooded areas in Central Texas, San Antonio and West Virginia.
Lindale native Miranda Lambert‘s MuttNation Foundation is raising money for the MuttNation-Tractor Supply Relief for Rescues Fund which is supporting the animals impacted by the floods.
The Austin Pets Alive animal shelter is collecting donations for displaced pets from Central Texas on their website. They’ve also launched a form for volunteers to sign up to help them pick up animals and deliver supplies to Central Texas.
Texans on Mission have chaplains on the ground in Kerr County and plans on sending out clean up crews on Monday. The Texans on Mission website said they’ll have opportunities for more volunteers to assist Central Texas later this week.
The American Red Cross is supporting emergency shelters in Central Texas. The nonprofit thanked their supporters from across the country who have already given enough donations for them to respond to this event.
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