One year ago, I was bewildered by the success of a simple design I created on my husband’s laptop on a rainy Saturday morning. I’m no graphic designer or professional fundraiser, just a creative type who really loves her state.
Still Texas Strong one year later
Feeling helpless to do anything for the victims of the horrific Memorial Day floods in Wimberley, Martindale and San Marcos–where my mother spent the final years of her life battling early onset Alzheimer’s disease–I decided I could create and sell shirts on Teespring to raise money for recovery efforts.
strong – not easily broken, damaged or destroyed
Little did I know, my simple #texasstrong design was about to spread like wildfire through social media and then take on a life of its own across the U.S. Garnering the attention of People.com and various local news outlets and then making its way into central Texas boutiques, the shirts ultimately raised over $146,000 for flood relief!
You see, the fundraiser was never really about me or my design. It was about our community rallying together to help our neighbors in their time of need. I merely provided an easy way to do that.
#PrayforTexas #texasstrong fundraiser for Houston
One year later, we’re doing it again.
(Last year, it was the photo of water over the interstate next to my mom’s San Marcos nursing home that did me in.This time, the video of the tornado touching down next to my friend’s house in Bryan broke my Aggie heart.)
After numerous requests from friends, on Friday afternoon, I launched new, white #texasstrong #PrayforTexas tees and tanks, with all proceeds benefiting statewide flood relief through The Salvation Army’s Texas disaster recovery fund. Current relief efforts are underway in many parts of Texas, including the Houston area, where my mother was born and raised.
And, guess what?! You guys already raised another $1,300 for distaster and flood relief in one weekend. Simply amazing.
(No, it hasn’t gone “viral” like last year’s fundraiser, but it’s still pretty phenomenal.)
And a surprise!
Since my story of finding hope and resilience over the course of my mother’s illness inspired the original #texasstrong design and fundraiser, I decided I wanted to spotlight other Texas women living their purpose + passion here on the blog.
Thus, in January, the #texastrong Woman of the Month series was born. These monthly interviews with women throughout the state have become one of my absolute favorite things about blogging, and so…
Texas women, I’m asking for your help with a brand new endeavor.
I need your personal, true stories of courage, compassion, community, faith, legacy and love for a new book called strong. (The only requirement is that you were either born or currently live in the great state of Texas.)
Please consider sending me your story.
Do not worry that you’re not a good enough writer or that there might be typos. I love to edit; it’s my lifeblood. So don’t let perfectionism hold you back.
I just want your voice and your truth. Plain and simple.
(And if your submission is selected, there might be a pretty sweet launch party invite with your name on it. My hubby is already scared of what I might dream up for this shindig.)
Tell me your #texasstrong story.
Submissions should be approximately 1,000 words and written in first person.
Please click here when you’re ready to submit your #texasstrong story to be used in the book (or maybe even the blog).
I cannot wait to read it!!