December 6, 2022 | 1:35 a.m.
Convoy of Hope was invited again to serve the people of Uvalde, Texas, on December 3. The walk-up event, which was put on through partnership with Tree City Church and other community leaders, served more than 1,000 people. Areas of services included haircuts and a Kids Zone. Counseling services were also provided to anyone who desired them.
And, to everyone’s delight, each child received gifts to take home, and every family received groceries.
“This is truly a blessing to our community. Because the gifts that these children receive today … this may be the only thing they get for Christmas,” said Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin, who attended the event. “What that shows — the compassion and the love that we’re seeing from total strangers that don’t even know us — it just blows our mind.”
Convoy of Hope is honored and humbled to serve the community of Uvalde and to be part of the healing process.
August 15, 2022 | 10:07 a.m.
Convoy of Hope was invited to take part in an outreach on Friday, August 12, in Uvalde, Texas — the site of an unthinkable shooting at an elementary school in May. Convoy was honored to help show kindness to the people in Uvalde and provide hope for the upcoming school year.
Along with volunteers from Tree City Church, Convoy of Hope handed out an entire tractor-trailer’s worth of goods to the hundreds of guests who visited the drive-thru distribution. Those who came received the following.
- Backpacks
- Snackpacks
- Shoes
- Socks
- Water
- Sports drinks
- Hygiene kits
Pastor Joe Ruiz, who leads Tree City Church, was the one who invited Convoy to participate. When asked why, he said, “It [Convoy’s participation] gives us the resources that we don’t have. For you guys to come out and be a part of our community, it means a lot. It means there are people out there who do love and do care for people.”
Nichole, a counselor for the school district and whose daughter was at Robb Elementary School the day of the attack, was thrilled to see a back-to-school event like this one. “I’m actually at a loss for words. This is beautiful. It’s amazing. We appreciate how much love has come from all over the country for us.”
She and Pastor Ruiz both confirmed that the community is still struggling.
“Uvalde … we’re still coming to a place of really understanding what went on,” said Pastor Ruiz.
“I think some of us are still hurting quite a bit,” Nicole said. “I think some of us are really anticipating the start of a new school year so we can get our kids back into what we’d consider a normal-type routine. I know my kids want to go to school, and I can’t wait to see my new students.”
This response is one of many in what has been a unique year for Convoy of Hope. Different types of crises — from Uvalde to Ukraine — demand creative and unconventional responses. Thank you for what you do to allow Convoy to be part of events like this one, to be part of the healing process, and to demonstrate God’s love through kindness.
