The Town of Palm Beach United Way fund to help victims of the catastrophic July 4 flooding in Texas has raised a total of $188,260 as of July 29, with $110,000 of that amount distributed to charities on the ground.
The Texas Flooding Fund, which was launched July 10 with a $50,000 dollar-for-dollar matching gift from the Cathleen McFarlane Foundation, is supporting relief operations in the cities of Hunt and Kerrville.
Heavy rains spurred deadly flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas on Independence Day, leaving about 137 people dead, including 27 children and counselors at Camp Mystic, a girls' Christian camp that sits along the river. Three people remained missing as of July 29.
"Our hearts break as we witness the devastating impact of the flooding in Texas," Cathleen McFarlane Foundation executive director Sunni Johnson said in a statement launching the matching grant.
Cathleen McFarlane Ross, a longtime Palm Beach resident, died in 2010.
The West Palm Beach-based foundation supports qualified nonprofits in South Florida that serve people affected by homelessness or addiction, as well as those focused on animal welfare.
The Texas Flooding Fund will support immediate and short-term needs such as shelter, food, clean water, emergency supplies, and other vital resources for individuals and families whose lives have been upended by the disaster, the Town of Palm Beach United Way said.
"The devastation and the tragic loss of life caused by this catastrophic weather event was heartbreaking," said United Way Board Chair Richard Rothschild in a prepared statement. "We are grateful to our Palm Beach neighbors who stepped up to help Texas communities on their road to recovery."
The funds donated to United Way have been distributed as follows: Americares, $25,000; Convoy of Hope, $25,000; Global Empowerment Mission, $35,000; and Team Rubicon, $25,000.
“We are so grateful for the support of the Town of Palm Beach United Way and its donors as we continue to assist individuals and families impacted by the Texas Flooding,” said Michael Capponi, founder and president of Global Empowerment Mission, in a prepared statement.
“The United Way’s contributions have enabled us to provide immediate relief to vulnerable communities during times of crisis, including food, water, cleaning materials, hygiene kits, and other necessities. Your continued support is deeply appreciated as natural disasters increase in frequency and intensity,” Capponi said.
Donations can be made online at www.palmbeachunitedway.org, by phone at 561-655-1919, or by check made payable to Town of Palm Beach United Way with "Texas Flooding" in the memo. Donations are tax-deductible, and 100% will go directly to relief efforts related to the flooding, the organization said.
Staff writer Jodie Wagner contributed to this report.
Carol Rose is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Town of Palm Beach United Way Texas Flooding Fund raises $188K
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