A Kerrville businessowner planned a free event in Hunt Sunday to give residents and first responders a chance to relax and recoup following the devastating flood.
HUNT, Texas — The hard-hit town of Hunt is looking for ways to heal following the devastating July Fourth floods.
Part of that journey took place on Sunday at the local pavilion, where a free community event gave residents and volunteers a much-needed break.
The event was organized by Kerrville business owner Scotty Schmerber.
“This is how we are. This is what we are,” Schmerber said.
For several hours, people gathered to enjoy free food, drinks, live music and the opportunity to pick up essential items.
“If we can take their mind off the situation for an hour or two, give them some food, some live music—that’s what we’re going to do,” Schmerber said.
Schmerber emphasized he didn’t do it alone. He asked friends across Kerr County for help, including Danny Feller, who coordinated the live music.
Feller became emotional when asked what it meant to bring the community together three weeks after the flood.
“The camps have been a great thing here,” Feller said. “We hate to lose all these kids and the families. So today was all about, let’s have a little uplifting and make something good happen.”
Feller, a longtime Hunt resident and former fire chief, said that while he’s grieving—he finds comfort in how people have responded to the tragedy.
“You find out where the good is in your heart in an event like this,” he said.
Schmerber had already raised money for flood relief prior to the event and used those funds to buy gift cards for every Hunt ISD student and teacher. He said the gift cards will be waiting for them on the first day of school.
“The first day of school is going to be a positive day,” Schmerber said.
During Sunday’s event, he continued collecting donations. The money raised will go toward rebuilding The Hunt Store.
If you’d like to contribute, a GoFundMe has been set up for The Hunt Store.