By Belle Nelson

After seeing damage caused by a second major flood since Memorial Day in Hays County, Matt Behrens, pastor at The Well church in Buda, wanted to find a way to help. 

The project was bolstered after Behrens saw firsthand the hardships suffered by a family he knew. 

“Personally, I knew of a family that was living in a hotel because of the damage done to their home, and I thought, how can I reach more people in the same situation?,” said Behrens.  

Through partnering with area churches, Behrens hopes their fundraising campaign, Flood Hays With Hope, can help survivors recover from the flood. 

Behrens said the idea was crafted after he initially discussed it with members of his congregation. 

“We wanted to be generous, but we also knew we needed a way to generate revenue so that we could give even more,” Behrens said. 

Along with six other churches, The Well put together the Flood Hays With Hope idea, which is to raise money to give back to members of the community in need. 

Fundraising would be accomplished by selling wristbands with the slogan #FloodHaysWithHope on them. 

Proceeds from the fundraiser would be given to the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN). 

“We can’t possibly know who all needs our help and support, or in what way they might need it, but the ADRN is able to reach each region that needs help simultaneously,” Behrens said. 

Over 400 cases have been opened with ADRN since October 30, and 15 families so far have been sponsored. 

Over $15,000 was given away by ADRN in the first week to help assist flood families to meet their immediate needs. An estimated 1,800 homes in Travis County, and 5,500 homes in Hays County were affected. 

Monetary donations to the ADRN help equip them with the resources they need including personnel, supporting materials, equipment and other disaster related materials to help fulfill its mission to meet the physical needs of those affected by disaster. 

A donation of $5 is asked for each bracelet; the cost to manufacture and ship the bracelets is $0.50 each, so $4.50 of each purchase goes immediately to victims of the floods. 

“As far as advertising, like banners and a website, the churches have come together to cover those costs themselves,” Behrens said. 

According to Behrens, the group is attempting to gain support from “as many other churches as we can.” That includes churches in Travis County. 

“A lot of people that go to church in Austin live in Hays County, and they see firsthand the effect the flood had,” Behrens said.

According to a press release, the group is creating awareness for their cause via social media as well. The fundraising campaign is working through mediums such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

For Behrens, the partnership is one that he believes “crosses denominational lines” and includes people from all walks of life.

“We’re also raising awareness of the impact God’s church has in our community,” Behrens said. “We want our neighbors to recognize the unity we have with brothers and sisters in faith, and we want to see a unified witness of love and mercy.”