Press Release from the Salvation Army

07-17-25

Kerrville, Texas (July 17, 2025) – News of the July 4^th flooding in Central Texas was told instantaneously across the country and indeed the world. The outpouring of love and support received has been overwhelming and The Salvation Army has been working since the morning of the disaster to facilitate assistance to those impacted.

A supply distribution center was quickly established at The Salvation Army in Kerrville, receiving in-kind donations of essential supplies, clothing, and items to benefit impacted individuals and families. Local residents jumped right into the enviable task to receive, sort, and distribute donations – an enormous job – all to provide help to their neighbors in need. At the request of the city and the county, The Salvation Army stepped up to take on the responsibility to manage in-kind donations, and volunteer management during the first week of response.

“The people of Kerr County have come through for their neighbors affected by the flood. We have had so many volunteers and received an incredible number of in-kind donations that have been turned around and put in the hands of those who need them,” said Kathy Clark, Associate Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army in Texas. “For two weeks, The Salvation Army building has been a hive of activity, with literally thousands of people coming through our doors either to help, or to receive assistance.”

Sarah lives in Boerne, about 30 miles away from Kerrville, where her parents live. She felt compelled to help after the flood that devastated Kerr County. “I knew I needed to do something to help and quickly got connected with The Salvation Army. My daughter and I got to the distribution center on Monday, July 6^th, just a couple of days after the flood, and have been working here every day since then,” said Sarah. “I spent all the first week directing traffic outside in the heat. There was so much stuff coming in and it took a few days to get everything organized. We’ve had a great team of staff and volunteers and by Thursday people were coming to pick up the items they needed. I’m so pleased we have been able to do our part and make a difference for those who have lost so much.”

Other people traveled from further afield to lend a hand. Mary Ellen Wehr and her son Luke, from Baltimore, Maryland, saw the horrific news of the disaster on TV and felt a pull—one stronger than distance, schedules, or summer plans.

“We just kept seeing the images on TV,” said Mary Ellen. “And we felt called to come down to help however we could. We had a few free days and figured we could make time for this.”

Thanks to friends in Houston who had shared posts about local volunteer opportunities, the Wehrs found open volunteer shifts, registered with The Salvation Army, and made plans to head to Texas.

What the Wehrs found in Kerrville was not just devastation, but a powerful display of unity. They served at The Salvation Army mobile kitchen and distribution site, handing out bottled water, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, tools, work gloves and more.

“People have showed up not just for themselves, but for their neighbors too,” said Mary Ellen. “We had someone come with hand-written supply lists from nursing home residents who couldn’t get out themselves.”

Luke added, “The service, the donations and the volunteerism has been so touching to experience. Everyone is so passionate about supporting their community and taking care of each other. I’ve learned that ‘Texas Strong’ is a real thing. We’ve seen it and believe it.”

The Salvation Army has served as a central hub in this outpouring of support, providing meals, drinks and Emotional and Spiritual Care, organizing donation drop-offs, distributing supplies, and coordinating volunteers like the Wehrs.

“Those who have come to receive help and collect supplies have been incredibly grateful,” said Mary Ellen. “We had literally hundreds of cars come through last night to receive items. The need is real. And we’re just thankful to be part of the response and for The Salvation Army, and all the organization does.”

As they prepare to head back to Maryland, Mary Ellen and Luke leave behind more than hard work and services. They leave a legacy of kindness and compassion.

The Salvation Army has provided 6,407 meals, 39,949 snacks, and 40,316 drinks since service began on July 4. They have also distributed 1,119 cleanup kits, 1,986 hygiene kits, 1,028 cleaning supplies, and made 2,457 ESC contacts. Three mobile feeding units are mobilized in Kerrville, Ingram, and Hunt, and two additional units are working in San Angelo. Disaster Response Center’s are now open in San Angelo and Kerrville where flood survivors can apply for and receive immediate recovery assistance.

The Salvation Army is no longer accepting in-kind donations or spontaneous volunteers in Kerr County. To make a financial donation to support ongoing recover efforts, please call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or go to helpsalvationarmy.org.

For more information on The Salvation Army’s current disaster response efforts and specific feeding locations, go to www.salarmyeds.org.

 

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About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army annually helps nearly 24 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at nearly 7,000 centers of operation around the country. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on X @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

07-07-05

Several businesses and organizations have initiated efforts to raise funds and collect needed supplies to assist Kerrville with its relief and recovery efforts.

Oasis Outback and Tomas Valle American Legion Post 479 Uvalde, TX conducted relief efforts over the weekend through today.

The Uvalde Hesperian will be creating a special Kerrville Relief Page on the Uvalde Hesperian website. Any effort to assist the Kerrville Community, please let the Uvalde Hesperian know.

Note: The Uvalde Hesperian chose to run this press release to spotlight a unique business and experience Uvaldeans might enjoy!

Press Release from Glow Row Kerrville

04-22-25

Kerrville – Guadalupe River Kayak Routes | Glow Row

Choose from our Bat Tours at 8:00pm and, upon request, Glow Tours at 10:30pm. Discover a new perspective on the Guadalupe River and its natural wonders during nighttime. Even before you get on the kayak, watch as the bats emerge from their daytime slumber at dusk, swirling into the sky in search of food. Once on the water, witness the fascinating river life as you navigate through the waters, illuminating them with uniquely designed lighted kayaks and paddles.

Join me and my team as we reveal the secrets of the Guadalupe River.

Vincent Mifsud, GlowRow Kerrville

Press Release

Top Photo Credit Shelby Loveland

Trailhead Beer Garden will be hosting its first ever Pot O’ Hot Fest! “A Kerrville Crafted Soup Cook-off” on Saturday February 24^th from noon to 8pm.

“The intent is an original and creative celebration of food and beverage makers in Kerrville’s beautiful cold season,” says Jeremy Walther, owner of Trailhead.

Admission to three different live music performances is free throughout the day, and Schreiner University’s Communication Design Department will have block printing demos inside the beer garden.

  “We’ll be selling blank canvas tote bags, and a choice of 3 or 4 artist designs that can be printed on the totes while you watch,” says Schreiner Graphic Design professor Clay McClure.  “Or you can bring your own T-shirt, bandana, or even card stock paper and we’ll print one of the designs on your material for $5.”

  The event also includes a Pub Crawl.  A $25 ticket includes a custom 5oz tasting glass, a pub passport, and half-pours at six craft beverage tasting rooms in Kerrville:  Basement Brewers of Texas, Pint & Plow Brewing Co, Off Main Brewing, Busted Sandal Brewing, Turtle Creek Olives & Vines, and Trailhead Beer Garden.

“We try to host monthly pub crawls that connect all the downtown breweries and wineries, so Pot O’ Hot would be the February version,” says Doug Landrum, co-owner of Basement Brewers of Texas.  “The first five pubs are all within walking distance of each other.  And Trailhead is an easy walk or ride down the River Trail from downtown.”

But the heart of the festival: good old homemade soup.

Ingram ISD Superintendent Bobby Templeton was one of the first to sign up as a judge.  “People get in to soup.  We see chili cook-offs, bean cook-offs, gumbo cook-offs, but there are endless variations to soup.  I’m coming hungry.”

Templeton joins Sheriff Larry Leitha, County Commissioner Jonathan Letz, Schreiner University professor Kiley Miller, Doyle Community Center’s Clifton Fifer, La Escondida’s Anabel Medrano, Fredericksburg Standard editor Brent Burgess, and other community leaders on the Judges panel, which will award a $500 prize purse to the most worthy soups.

Walther anticipates a memorable culinary experience.  “One of the chefs from the Dietert Center kitchen has signed up as a Soup Maker.  I’m told they took home a $10,000 win at a national soup competition a few years back.  Makers are bringing their A-game.”

Soup Makers are limited to 25 entrants, and there are few spots left.  Walther says there’s been even more interest from Soup Makers than Soup Judges.   “We’ve had a great response.  I was hoping for more smack talk between restaurants and other commercial kitchens, but the majority of that has come from the individuals who have entered.  That $10,000 pro hasn’t scared anyone – actually, its made them even more eager.  They all want to take down Goliath.”

Tickets to be a Soup Taster are $30 and are limited to 150.  Each Taster receives a custom soup mug and two voting tickets for the Tasters Choice awards.  “I was doing the math of what it would cost to buy tickets for everyone I know”, says Soup Maker entrant Kim Durden from Comfort.  “But that got out of control, so I’m just gonna win this thing with soup.”

Pot O’ Hot Fest is sponsored by Schreiner University, Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, Rick’s Near Beer, The Kerr County Lead, and Pint & Plow.

For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit the Trailhead Beer Garden website – www.trailheadbeergarden.com

List of Judges:

Anabel Medrano

Jonathan Letz

Justin McClure

Bobby Templeton

Clifton Fifer

Brent Burgess

Larry Leitha

Kiley Miller

Tim Rye

Rick Sralla

Ashlea Boyle

Eric Maloney (tentative)