HUNT, TX – The Hunt Preservation Society, Inc. (HPS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, proudly launches the Hunt Flood Recovery Fund. HPS is uniquely positioned and dedicated to rebuilding the Hunt community that was devastated by catastrophic flooding. Established in 2001, HPS has historically been funded by a group of generous Hunt residents to purchase and gift back assets to the community. These include the Hunt Preservation Park and the pavilion built on that property.
The July 4th floods caused devastating damage in Hunt, where storm waters surged to 27 feet in less than an hour. To expedite recovery, for the first time in its history, HPS is seeking outside donations and has established this new fund to focus specifically on the Hunt community.
“The mission of the HPS has always been to preserve, protect, and perpetuate the natural beauty and rich heritage of Hunt for future generations,” noted Ross Rommel, President of the HPS Board of Directors. “The monies raised will be used to continue that mission to support local Hunt community residents and businesses in recovery and rebuilding.”
HPS has established an independent Community Allocation Committee (CAC) comprised of local stakeholders, including the Hunt School, the Hunt Volunteer Fire Department, and local businesses and charities. The role of CAC is to prioritize needs and distribute monies from the fund to impacted residents. HPS has appointed Gerry Griffin, a long-time resident of Hunt and former Director of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, as Executive Director of the Community Allocation Committee. In this role, Griffin will work with the CAC on the administration of the fund.
“The CAC has two immediate priorities. We will support displaced Hunt-area families with young children and the elderly who have suffered greatly and lack adequate insurance or access to FEMA assistance. We aim to get families settled before the start of the school year. Second, we are focused on repairing and restoring critical infrastructure throughout the community,” said John Dunn, HPS Board Member, who is leading the Hunt recovery efforts within HPS.
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has been a strong partner with the HPS, seeding initial donations into the Fund.
“The Hunt Preservation Society moved very quickly to set up a website and donation collection process, as well as the Community Allocation Committee, to get relief funds into the hands of the Hunt community quickly and efficiently. Together with the Community Foundation, HPS is well positioned to have an immediate impact on Hunt’s recovery,” said Austin Dickson, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.
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About Hunt Preservation Society, Inc.
Hunt Preservation Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2001. The HPS mission is to preserve and protect the cultural, iconic, and historical assets of Hunt for future generations, ensuring the legacy of Hunt endures. www.huntpreservationsociety.org
About Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country
The Community Foundation’s mission is to foster a thriving Hill Country, inspire greater giving, celebrate legacy and heritage, and steward charitable resources for today and tomorrow. The Foundation’s stakeholders envision the Texas Hill Country as a vibrant, thriving community for everyone. www.communityfoundation.net
