From the Chairman: Donate to support Texas Flood Victims

99 RFTW Family,

The RFTW Family extends beyond the riders – our dedicated supporters along the way are an important part of that family.  When Hurricane Helene struck Asheville, North Carolina less than a year ago, RFTW helped set up a fundraiser in support of local rescue and recovery operations.  To more effectively and quickly engage for large scale tragedies that may befall communities that mean so much to us, we are working to establish a process through which RFTW participants may safely donate to direct support operations in the areas affected.  We are enacting the first attempt to engage that process now…

The horrific tragedy that came upon folks around Kerrville on July 4^th has touched people from around our nation, especially considering the many young lives that were so suddenly cut short.  Like you, my thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims and the missing – very much like those we daily consider on our own Mission to support our nation’s KIA and MIA.  I believe this similarity is why the tragedy hits so close to home for so many of us.

Many of you know that Kerrville, Texas is the home of the Annual Texas Riders Reunion held each September to welcome and honor all RFTW participants who can attend.  Although not a stop on any route, the many hundreds of folks who have attended this Reunion over the past 20 years know that the people of Kerrville are as Patriotic as the best you would find at places like Wytheville, Rainelle, Cookeville, St Clairsville and the many other places along our various Routes.  Folks there are coming together to support their neighbors and to help people who have lost everything find a way to keep going, to start rebuilding their lives.

Knowing that there are RFTW Family Members in that area, I reached out to Roger “Cowboy” Mead, Kerrville resident and former Southern Route RC for info on the current activity and gage the need for direct support.  There were dozens of large and well-known Charitable Support entities on site, but we wanted to seek out one that was 1) a Veteran support-based volunteer organization, 2) fully engaged in direct support to victims and 3) not a big name, fully funded operation.  Cowboy suggested that donations go to the Hill Country Veterans Center, located in Kerrville.  They are a 501(c)(3) operation actively serving and supporting the Veteran Community since 2013.  As a veteran support-based organization, Run For The Wall aligns with their Mission Statement which says:  “Dedicated to assisting veterans of the Texas Hill Country who have honorably served & sacrificed for our freedom.”

HOW TO DONATE:  RFTW has set up a link where you can provide donations to the Hill Country Veterans Center in support of the Texas Flood Victims in the area – Link Below:

Click here to donate to Texas Flood Victims through the Hill Country Veterans Center in Kerrville, Texas

Through this link, 100% of your donation will go to the Hill Country Veterans Center to support the victims there.  They are an all-volunteer organization that will ensure your dollars go to Veterans affected by this tragedy.

RFTW is kick-starting this fund with a donation $1,000 to get this process of support to Victims and Veterans in the flood area rolling.  If we all pitch in, we can make a significant difference in the ongoing operations to support folks who need help right now.  I’ll be throwing the first pitch with a $100 donation and a challenge to all current and former RC’s to do the same.

All roads lead to all roads, and right now they all go through Kerrville.  Together we can make a difference!

Sincerely,

Bugs