Texans everywhere are mourning the devastating loss of lives after a flash flood ran through the city of Kerrville over the holiday weekend—taking the lives of more than 100 adults and children, with 161 still missing.
LATEST INFO: At least 109 dead in Texas Hill Country floods; 59 adults, 36 children confirmed in Kerr County, others still missing
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In the wake of this tragedy, many want to help by donating to support recovery efforts. However, with scams becoming increasingly sophisticated, it’s crucial to ensure donations go to reputable organizations.
KPRC 2’s Isa Gonzale-Montilla spoke with Captain Jeremy Walker, Area Commander for the Greater Houston Area Salvation Army, about how people can safely donate and avoid getting scammed.
Walker emphasized the importance of giving to well-known and trusted charities.
“You wanna make sure that you’re giving to a reliable charity, one that has a proven track record,” Walker said.
He acknowledged the unfortunate reality of scams and encouraged donors to be cautious and use secure links when giving online. He also offered practical advice for those hesitant about online donations.
“If you’re worried about giving online, you can always go to any Salvation Army. You can drop off your donation there. And when it comes to disaster, 100% of it will go to the area that is affected,” he said.
Walker explained the donated money is used “for survivors, for the affected areas, for all the feeding, for all of the recovery, all that is encompassed in this tragedy.”
He also highlighted that donations help provide meals, cleanup kits, and personnel to assist survivors in getting back on their feet.
To avoid falling victim to scams, Walker advised, “It’s a good question. And it’s getting harder and harder these days. But like I said, reputable organization, a charity that you can trust.”
He encourages people to contact Salvation Army directly if they have concerns about online donations, assuring that “we’ll make sure that the money gets to where it needs to be, 100% of it.”
If you’ve donated to a fake organization, Walker urged immediate action.
“Call the authorities. Let the authorities know as soon as possible so they can help their neighbors not be scammed by that same organization.”
Walker closed with a heartfelt message about the community’s resilience and the importance of support beyond donations.
“It’s a tragedy. Our hearts go out for those that have been affected and it’s gonna be a long recovery. So please join us in praying for them... Definitely donations are important, but prayer is even more important,” he said.
As Central Texas begins the long road to recovery, ensuring donations reach legitimate organizations is vital to providing effective aid to those impacted by the floods.
Donors are encouraged to verify charities’ reputations and consider supporting established groups like the Salvation Army to help survivors rebuild their lives.
MORE INFO: How to donate to victims of the Texas Hill Country floods
