Kerr County residents were the focus of discussion when administrators from AdventHealth and the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists gathered at the Adventist Community Services (ACS) Depot in Keene, Texas, on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
Trevor Wright, president and CEO for AdventHealth’s Southwest Region, shared the desire of its employees and leaders to help those affected by the floods in Kerr County this past July. Knowing that recovery efforts would take time, he encouraged them to start a collection to assist residents with long-term recovery efforts.
Wright then presented a check for more than US$33,000, on behalf of AdventHealth’s Southwest Region employees and leadership, to assist Texas ACS as they provide relief in Kerr County. He also extended his appreciation for community services’ responses to disasters and acknowledged Russ Weaver’s leadership in organizing AdventHealth’s Southwest Region’s efforts to have the greatest long-term impact. Weaver is AdventHealth’s regional vice president for mission, community, and advocacy.
“Many individuals like to assist with immediate needs when a disaster strikes,” Bo Gendke, Texas ACS director, shared. “While that is helpful and encouraging to those affected by the disaster, recovery takes time. When individuals and organizations like AdventHealth step up to help after the initial attention has lessened, it shows the residents they have not been forgotten.”
Gendke and his wife, Deborah, associate director of Texas ACS, plan to work with Kerr County officials in rebuilding efforts for that community. Their volunteers are ready and waiting for the green light to assist, one house at a time. At that time, they will share gift registries so people can purchase items needed for their houses. Even though it is hard to wait to help, it is important to be methodical.
“We always enjoy partnering with AdventHealth,” Texas Conference president Elton DeMoraes said. “This was more than a financial gift — it was a powerful reminder of what happens when mission-driven organizations come together to serve. AdventHealth’s commitment to whole-person care and to extending the healing ministry of Christ aligns beautifully with our mission to bring hope and help to hurting communities. We appreciate the wonderful work Bo, Deborah, and the many volunteers are doing and the facility that serves as a beacon of hope for so many.”
Their tour of the Texas ACS Depot showed the different stations where volunteers create clothing kits and cleanup buckets. They also visited the Victory Vault, which offers free professional clothing, and saw the vehicles set up to respond to a disaster.
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