TEXSAR - In the Community - 1st Quarter Update

A Note From the President and CEO

COVID-19 continues to steer almost all conversations now. And understandably so. That said, TEXSAR is working diligently behind the scenes to keep us moving forward and positioning ourselves for a rapid and decisive response to whatever comes our way. While no one can predict the future, we are planning for all possible contingencies.

At the moment TEXSAR has members in Harris County supporting COVID-19 testing centers, members in Central Texas supporting Incident Management Teams, with additional support opportunities developing in the coming days. TEXSAR has also set up two separate blood drives in Central Texas, supporting the dire need to stockpile local blood banks during the COVID-19 Pandemic. TEXSAR is committed to service above self and will continue to safely support our communities in whatever capacity is needed. To stay up to date with TEXSAR's involvement with COVID-19 you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or keep an eye on our website.

We are also aware of the upcoming Spring rainy season, the subsequent Hurricane season and are cognizant of the fact that natural disasters do not cease while Texas is quarantined. Now more than ever it is important that our members stay ready and able and that TEXSAR remains well funded to continue our service to our communities as a force multiplier. We appreciate everything you do to support TEXSAR. Your contributions keep TEXSAR funded and ready to serve. As we all assess our financial situation during these unprecedented times, please keep TEXSAR in your thoughts and consider us for your annual giving. We are already experiencing a significant decrease in donations this year and will most likely be unable to host one or possibly both of our major annual fundraiser, significantly impacting our ability to serve. The calls for service will keep coming in and TEXSAR must be ready to serve. Will you help us to continue to serve Texas?

We hope that you and your family are safe and exercising caution.

Thank you for your continued support of TEXSAR.

Sincerely,
Justin McInnis President/CEO

In Memory of Carine Chalfoun
Last month brought a very tough time to the TEXSAR family. As many of you know our beloved Carine Chalfoun passed away suddenly on February 18th, 2020. Carine was a special member of TEXSAR contributing invaluably from a professional level, she was a caring and supportive friend, and a dedicated public servant. She was passionate about everything she did and loved her TEXSAR family unconditionally. She was described as a geod by one of her friends: a tough exterior with the most beautiful interior. TEXSAR and the emergency management world are left with heavy hearts and huge void where Carine once stood. We appreciate all of the support and love as we begin to move forward. We are working with Carine's family to establish a scholarship fund on her behalf and we have some plans in the works to honor her in a much bigger way for years to come.

TEXSAR Blood Drive
It was brought to our attention that there was a need for blood across the country. In efforts to support this need TEXSAR put together two blood drives, as an opportunity for those looking for a way to give. They both booked up quickly and were a huge success!

A huge thanks to We Are Blood and Salt Lick BBQ for allowing this event to take place.

Check out the FOX 7 and KVUE's report on the blood drive last week:
KVUE Report Click Here

Supporter of the Quarter - 1st Quarter
Our organization is pleased to announce that Redbird Trucking has been chosen as the TEXSAR Supporter of the Quarter! This San Marcos, Texas based specialty pneumatic trucking company has been a generous TEXSAR supporter in several ways including attending our October 2019, 4th Annual Search Party Fundraiser and helping with mock training exercises. In a moment of need, Red Bird Trucking stepped up and provided a secure storage and staging area for TEXSAR assets that include but are not limited to Hum,vees, light-medium tactical vehicles (LMTV), command vehicles, high water transport vehicles, Zodiac rescue boats, K9 and dive support trailers, cargo and flatbed trailers, and a Type III fire brush truck, tow generator, and radio repeater.

Founded in 2012, Red Bird Trucking is primarily focused on transporting cement, fly ash, lime and mineral deposit fill to customers throughout Texas. As a logistics-based company with an in-house maintenance facility for its 70 trucks, our relationship was a natural fit and is advantageous to TEXSAR and our fleet as it is centrally based between our Austin and San Antonio teams and assets. With Red Bird Trucking’s generous support, this will prove to be a big win for the citizens and agencies of Texas!

Thank you Red Bird Trucking!

Updates, News, and Reminders

Amplify Austin - Thank You Cirrus Logic
A huge thank you to everyone that supported Amplify Austin; we raised $3521.35. A special thanks to Bo Wingo and his employer, Cirrus Logic. Cirrus Logic matched all donations made by their employees on this day.

Annual Report
Thank you to the TEXSAR Members, supporters, donors, agencies, and TEXSAR leadership for making 2019 the best year yet. Please take a look at the impact TEXSAR continues to have on the community.
Check it out here!

Paypal Gives
TEXSAR is enrolled with the PayPal Giving Fund. PayPal Giving Fund helps people support their favorite charities online. We receive donations through PayPal, eBay, and other technology platforms and make grants to our donors' recommended charities. PayPal Giving Fund is an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) public charity (Federal Tax ID: 45-0931286).

Amazon Smile
Amazon Smile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on Amazon Smile, the Amazon Smile Foundation will donate a percentage of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.
How to get started:

For more information about the AmazonSmile program, go to http://smile.amazon.com/about.