This summer, our #texasstrong shirts raised nearly $150,000 for flood relief, in memory of my mom, Dixie, following Memorial Day floods in San Marcos, Wimberley and Martindale, Texas.

Texas Strong flood relief for the holidays

Now, after Halloween Eve floods hit Buda and Kyle (and south Austin), as well as San Marcos, Wimberley and Martindale, Texas, for a second round, I’ve teamed up with my amazingly talented friend and fellow Bethany Lutheran Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) momma, Ashlea Kerr of Cookie Kerrations in Kyle, Texas, to offer #texasstrong flood relief in the form of tasty treats!

Only for the month of December, Ashlea’s creations will feature limited edition holiday designs–think shimmering snowflakes!

Cookies are $24 per dozen, limited quantities available. All proceeds benefit United Way of Hays County Disaster Recovery Fund for flood victims in Hays and Caldwell counties. Please contact Ashlea as soon as possible with your order.

United Way of Hays County (UWHC) President and CEO Michelle Harper explains this fund’s purpose and mission:

The board of directors established a Disaster Recovery Fund to provide a transparent, efficient, simple process to direct flood relief donations directly to relief organizations in the current priority needs of housing and support of elderly, children and disabled survivors and single household families. Our role is to help coordinate efforts, mobilize our vast network of volunteers, and reach out to our donors for support to be distributed to local organizations providing direct services.

Based in San Marcos, UWHC has worked with St. Bernard Project to help rebuild homes and has distributed funds to various local relief organizations, including Southside Community Center, Serve San Marcos and Community Action in San Marcos; Ministerial Alliance of Caldwell County in Martindale; and Barnabas Connection and My Neighbor’s Keeper in Wimberley.

To donate to UWHC’s Disaster Recovery Fund, please click here. Or you can text FLOODS to 41444.

You can also shop our online gift shop, for drinkware, home decor, jewelry and stationery benefiting UWHC’s Disaster Recovery Fund. Put some #texasstrong in those stockings this Christmas!

#FloodHaysWithHope shirts and wristbands

Another great initiative, Hope4Hays, is a partnership of local churches and businesses raising funds to help flood victims in Hays and Travis counties.

Their #FloodHaysWithHope shirts and silicone wristbands support flood victims through partner churches and through Austin Disaster Relief Network:

In response to floods of October 2015, churches in Hays County and south Austin have begun to work together to raise financial support for families impacted by this disaster. Many of our churches are on the front lines, already having provided assistance for immediate needs. We have committed to raising funds to continue meeting needs of our neighbors. All funds raised in the #FloodHaysWithHope campaign will assist families recovering from these most recent floods. At least half of all proceeds will be directed to Austin Disaster Relief Network. The remaining percentage (no more than 50%) of gifts collected will be used for direct assistance of families through local churches.

Hope4Hays partners include HEB and my sweet friend Amanda Terry’s Summermoon Coffee in Buda. So go order a Wintermoon after you buy groceries, and support central Texas flood relief this holiday season!

Love,

Lauren