Foundation helps flood victims with $305k in donor support
Houston made the national news recently with the Tax Day Flood, and supporters of Lone Star College Foundation were there to help LSC students and employees.
"The Foundation Board of Directors made a unanimous decision to direct $50,000 to partner with the college and distribute it to students and employees affected by the flooding," says Leah Goss, Chief Advancement Officer. She went on to say, "Soon after, an anonymous donor stepped up and made a $250,000 donation to the efforts, which was just absolutely thrilling!"
With these funds, along with other gifts from the community, the Foundation was able to distribute a total of $305,372 in assistance to 642 students and 111 employees.
One of the community donations was from Inceptia, who has worked with Lone Star College financial aid offices for several years and felt a need to support the students.
"When we heard there was a need at Lone Star College, a school with whom we work closely in ensuring student success, we felt an obligation to support the students and families impacted by the flood," says Randy Heesacker, President and CEO at Inceptia. "It was powerful to see students, staff and the College working together to help those in need both at the school and within the community.We hoped that by making a donation, we would be able to make a difference in the lives of students by supporting their efforts to get back to school and continue with their education."
"A typical scholarship is around $1,000, and in most cases 20 or more students apply for just one scholarship," said Dr. Head. "These funds will go a long way in helping to make a college education possible for many hard-working and deserving students."
Applications for aid from students and employees shed a bright light on the extent of devastation felt by the victims. "It was not just a matter of people's cars and homes flooding and getting those things repaired," says Gabriela Andrade, the Foundation Accountant who reviewed all applications and processed all checks on a same-day turnaround basis, "it was also the ripple effects of people losing jobs because they were unable to get to work for weeks; or people who had to replace all of their clothing, medicine, books, computers, and household items; and the logistics behind those efforts during such a chaotic time.... it was overwhelming to read about it all."
One application came from a 32-year employee of LSC, Bobbie Stafford, who wrote that "we have been living without utilities and have lost all of our food for over four days. Tornadoes tore up our neighborhood making it unsafe. Power lines and trees down everywhere. It is so dark in our area. There has been widespread looting. I am afraid to stay."
Receiving her assistance check provided immediate relief, as Bobbie went on to say, "I feel as though the blessing we received from the Foundation made a real difference, it enabled us to keep moving forward, to climb out of the situation much faster."
Bobbie is so appreciative of the donors who made her assistance possible and encourages everyone to donate whatever they can: "Please make a donation if you are able...Some have lost everything and just a light at the end of the tunnel can make all the difference."
Thank you to all of the donors who made this assistance possible, for all of the college staff who made distribution feasible, and to everyone still feeling the effects of the flooding, we continue to send our best wishes and prayers.
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