By R.J. Morales |TX3DNews
When disaster struck on July 4th and floodwaters overwhelmed communities in Kerr County, North Texans didn’t wait to be asked. They acted.
And here in TX-03, the response wasn’t just fast — it was fierce, faithful, and full of heart. Residents mobilized. Trucks were loaded. Supplies gathered. Social media lit up with one question: How can we help?
Several neighborhoods in central Texas were inundated, hundreds of families displaced, and lives across the region upended. The images were heartbreaking — but the response from TX03 residents has been nothing short of inspiring.
This is what this community does best — not just talking about values, but living them. And in the face of devastation, it proved once again that the TX03 community rises together, regardless of politics or distance.
In McKinney, longtime community leader and former First Lady of McKinney, Maylee Thomas-Fuller, didn’t wait for an official press release. She jumped into action. And true to TX-03 form, her community followed.
“As soon as I heard the news, I wanted to help — and I knew McKinney residents would jump on the opportunity,” she told TX3DNews.
Thomas-Fuller’s nonprofit, Love Life Foundation, now in its 33rd year of service to at-risk families, began coordinating relief shipments to flooded areas. A phone call from Angelica Kabirzadeh, director of food and events at Treaty Oaks Distillery connected her with Team Luck of Willie Nelson’s estate and the broader Luck Reunion initiative, which has been actively organizing aid for flood victims.
A truckloads of critical supplies — boots, gloves, pet food, flashlights, gift cards — has already been delivered. And there’s more on the way.
“We will be taking another load next Saturday, as there are still people missing, hundreds of households in need, and volunteers who need assistance through this tragic event,” Thomas-Fuller said.
The next shipment is scheduled for Saturday, July 20, and community members are encouraged to donate.
“We are a very generous city that has always supported our efforts to help the underserved,” she said. “This was a chance to show our neighbors… what it means to love one another with action.”
What’s Needed Most:
- Work gloves
- Men’s size rubber boots
- Dog and cat food
- Flashlights and batteries
- Hydration packets
- Shovels and cleanup tools
- Gift cards (Home Depot, groceries, etc.)
📧 To help or donate, email Maylee at: maylee@lovelifefoundation.com
A Wave of Support — On the Ground and Online
That same urgency has spilled into local social media. From Allen to Princeton to North McKinney, Facebook groups have filled with residents asking “Where can I take donations?” and “How do I help?”
In a digital landscape often filled with culture wars and political trolling, the unity has been refreshing — and deeply human.
Evan Hunt Praises the Effort, Urges Broader Support
Democratic congressional candidate Evan Hunt issued a statement applauding the swift and generous relief efforts across Texas — including a remarkable show of solidarity from beyond our borders.
“Following the tragic July 4th floods, we’ve seen families, volunteers, and first responders working tirelessly to support the Kerr County community,” Hunt wrote in an email to TX3DNews.
He specifically highlighted H-E-B’s early response, noting the company’s deployment of mobile kitchens and $2 million donation to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.
But it was the international aid that Hunt called “equally moving.”
“Volunteer firefighters and Fundación 911 from Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, crossed the border to help with search, rescue, and recovery efforts — proving that compassion and solidarity don’t stop at state or national lines.”
In a moment when U.S.-Mexico relations have been strained by rhetoric and policy, the gesture has not gone unnoticed.
“It’s a reminder that humanity rises above politics,” Hunt added.
He also noted that one of his own campaign team members has been directly involved in the rescue efforts and urged supporters to donate to trusted relief organizations.
Hunt recommended several reputable organizations for those outside the area looking to contribute:
- American Red Cross – Texas Gulf Coast
- Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN)
- SBP USA
- West Street Recovery
- Feeding Texas
In a Time of Division, TX-03 Chooses Unity
This flood didn’t just test our roads and rivers — it tested our resilience, our values, and our willingness to show up for one another. And McKinney responded the way it always does: with empathy, humility, and hands-on service.
In a time when it’s easy to feel divided — politically, culturally, even digitally — this moment cut through the noise. The need was real. The response was undeniable. TX-03 showed up.
We’re often told that politics divides us. But faith — in our community, in our shared humanity — still has the power to unite. From social media volunteers to schoolkids donating flashlights, from neighbors with pickup trucks to a former First Lady of McKinney leading the charge — we saw the best of who we are.
When the call comes, TX-03 doesn’t ask who you voted for.
We grab the boots. Load the shovels. And answer with love in action.