University Health Foundation to present $350,000 to two Uvalde nonprofits tomorrow

Following the May 24, 2022 shooting at Uvalde’s Robb Elementary School, the Level I trauma center at University Hospital received four patients with critical gunshot injuries – a fact that was shared across the country and the world. “It’s natural that many people hear this type of horrific news and want to help the victims,” said University Health Foundation President Sara Alger. “Knowing that the injured patients in our hospital might need financial assistance or other special resources to help with their physical and mental recovery, many of these generous people contacted us.”

The Foundation quickly set up the Uvalde Victims Relief Fund and received $550,084.92 in donations from 1,851 individuals or organizations. Over the past 28 months, these funds have provided needed assistance to victims cared for by University Hospital. However, it became clear over the first year that the donated funds exceeded those needs. So the Foundation team began researching how they could best use the remaining dollars to make an impact on the Uvalde community.

“Of the many worthy organizations that have stepped up to help the people affected by the shooting in Uvalde, we wanted to identify the ones whose missions aligned most closely with ours,” explained Alger. As a result of that work, the Foundation presented its recommendation to the Bexar County Hospital District Board of Managers, which unanimously approved donations of $250,000 to Family Service and $100,000 to the Uvalde After-School All-Stars Program.

Family Service has a history of supporting, strengthening and serving San Antonio and surrounding communities since 1903. Its office in Uvalde has been actively supporting that community since 2000. Since the shooting, its team has been providing counseling, grief and mental health support, as well as crisis management resources.

After-School All-Stars is a national program which launched programs at three Uvalde elementary schools following the shooting. Phase one of their efforts included writing, gardening, cooking and community service, as well as academic tutoring, sports, dance and yoga. Phase two focuses on long-term mental health along with tools to process trauma and grief, and help students thrive.

Check presentations will be held on Friday, October 6, 2023:

• The Family Service check presentation will be at 10 a.m. at their office located in the Wal-Mart at 3100 E. Main Street in Uvalde. Mary Garr, CEO of Family Service will accept the check from University Health President/CEO George B. Hernández, Jr. and University Health Foundation President Sara Alger.
• The After-School All-Star (ASAS) presentation will be held during a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the Elliott Building on 114 East North Street in Uvalde. Hernández and Alger will be joined by Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai in presenting the check to local ASAS officials and ASAS National Board Member Jane Macon. Uvalde County Judge William R. Mitchell and Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin will also take part in this special event.

Through these gifts, University Health Foundation aims to help advance and sustain the healing work these two organizations are doing in this community.