UST Community Rallies to Support Kerrville Flood Victims

The hearts of our University of St. Thomas community went out to all those affected by the devastating floods in Kerr County, Texas, that occurred between July 4-5, 2025.

"We, the UST family, are holding the residents of Kerr County in our prayers, particularly those who have lost loved ones from Camp Mystic," said Interim President Fr. Dempsey Rosales Acosta. "In these incredibly difficult times, we stand in solidarity with them, offering our deepest condolences and unwavering support. May God's strength and resilience guide them through this period of grief and recovery."

Fr. Dempsey reminded the community that the Letter of James 2:14-17 says that our faith in God is actively demonstrated through acts of charity and service to those in need. In a tangible display of solidarity, UST began accepting donations July 7-10, 2025, through the leadership of Dr. Trisha Nicole Ruiz, Senior Director of Veteran Services, and her team at the Veteran Success Center. Our community responded with overwhelming generosity, filling the Veterans Success Center and a second location on UST campus.

During the four-day donation drive, we estimate that UST collected and sent to Kerrville more than 300 cases of water, 100 bags of pet food, 1,000 pounds of clothing and 2,500 pounds of food. Among the hundreds of people bringing donations was Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, who represents the district in which UST's main campus is located. The volume of packages and donations received was truly remarkable, showcasing the compassionate spirit of the UST family. Several volunteers also showed up to help pack the donations - students, faculty, staff, alumni, veterans and community members working together.

A native of Kerrville, Dr. Ruiz led the donation efforts and offered a personal reflection on the experience of hearing about the devastation in her hometown, collecting donations from the community and delivering them to Kerr County.

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I knew that Houston was a powerful city, but witnessing how quickly an entire city and university community could come together to support the Hill Country was astonishing.

On the first day of us accepting donations, I realized that I had underestimated how much support we would have. What set out to be a small initiative for the city I was born in quickly turned into a major operation deeply rooted in love, compassion, empathy and sorrow from a city that has witnessed devastation itself.

As Houstonians, we have been here before. Watching a city we love get destroyed by mother nature and the long process of rebuilding is far too familiar to us Houstonians. Houstonians wept as they dropped off their donations to us as news continued to spread about the loss of children at Camp Mystic. Houstonians lost their lives in that storm. One donor shared through her tears that her daughter with special needs attended Camp Mystic for 14 years and for the first time, her child was treated like everyone else.

Children's clothes, toys, shoes, and favorite foods poured in. Our veteran non-profit organizations and partners supported us by offering manual labor in loading up pick-up trucks, trailers, and U-Hauls. Representatives from the Mayor's Office, Combined Arms, and Camp Hope ensured we had enough hands to load everything up. I am incredibly thankful to my fellow Veteran Success Team members who had the leadership and the willingness to take on this challenge that was a labor of love.

On the drive to Kerrville, we trailed a convoy of approximately 20 police officers and fire fighters from Bellville, Texas who were enroute to Kerrville as they escorted a hearse to pick up the remains of an 8-year-old little girl. We wept and prayed over them knowing that a large convoy signified they were on a very important mission.

When our team arrived in Kerrville, we were immediately met with a heaviness that cannot be described. As we unloaded food, cleaning supplies, and bottled water, we were surrounded by military helicopters still conducting recovery missions. The citizens of Kerrville who helped us unload barely spoke. It was evident that they were tired and weary yet continued to put one foot in front of the other just to help in any way possible.

The supplies delivered to Kerrville were being disseminated to various parts of Texas that were impacted by various storms. The supplies collected by UST were sent to San Angelo, Burnet, and any other city that expressed a need.

This initiative allowed us to live out the values that define UST, goodness and community. Our commitment to service is reflected in this initiative to support our fellow Texans. I am incredibly thankful to the UST community for the support shown to the Hill Country.

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Fr. Dempsey said in a letter to the community, "As a community of faith, we are called to actively respond to the suffering of others and cannot remain indifferent." In the spirit of charity and prayer, UST and Houstonians shared their God-given resources with those in dire straits and Fr. Dempsey celebrated a Mass for all victims and persons affected by the flood on July 17 in the Chapel of St. Basil.

To support the effort, monetary donations are being accepted by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families and communities grappling with this immense sorrow and we pray for God's mercy as the community begins the long road of rebuilding.