Disaster Relief
Thomas J. Henry Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund: Restoring Hope After Disaster
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About the Project
When Hurricane Harvey devastated South Texas in 2017, Thomas J. Henry stepped in swiftly and decisively, launching a dedicated relief fund to support long-term recovery. By personally matching every pledge up to $100,000, he ensured that donations delivered twice the impact to communities still reeling from the storm.
$100,000
Personal Matching Commitment
Supporting Counties Across the Coastal Bend
Hundreds of Thousands Strengthened Through Relief
Who We Helped
The Relief Fund provided critical resources to residents of counties hit hardest by flooding and wind damage, including:
- People and families in Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio counties—where communities were overwhelmed by flooding and infrastructure loss.
- The Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group, operated by the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, ensuring funds remained local and directly impactful.
Our Goal
The mission behind the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund was clear and empathetic:
- Deliver rapid and reliable support to areas facing long recovery paths.
- Double the power of every dollar donated, thanks to a dollar-for-dollar personal match.
- Ensure transparency and effectiveness by routing funds through local disaster recovery infrastructure.
Thomas J. Henry’s leadership transformed individual generosity into amplified relief—fueling restoration efforts across the Coastal Bend.
Fund Highlights
- Matching Gifts: Every donation to the fund was matched by Thomas J. Henry, up to $100,000, magnifying the community’s giving.
- Partnership for Delivery: Funds were channeled through the Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group to maximize local impact and coordinate response efforts.
- Accessible Participation: Donations were accepted via Crowdrise, offering preset levels—from $10 to $500—and allowing donors to include personal messages or remain anonymous.
“When I saw what Harvey did to our friends, neighbors, and towns—I felt driven to help even more. By matching donations, we could amplify hope and relief where it was needed most.”
Making a Difference
The Thomas J. Henry Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund became a vital pillar of support in South Texas.
- Doubled every donation, ensuring local families and first responders received critical aid at scale.
- Bolstered long-term recovery, through trusted local partners familiar with each county’s unique needs.
- Unleashed community generosity, inspired by the matching pledge and transparent giving process.
Through this effort, Thomas J. Henry reinforced how leadership, matched giving, and trusted partnerships can heal communities in crisis—rebuilding homes, lives, and spirits one donation at a time.
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