This week I have learned about both the terrible tragedy and tremendous heroism along the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country. The Guadalupe River rose 27 feet in under an hour! Apparently the rain was double the amount of Niagara Falls! I am so sorry for the families who lost loved ones, especially the parents of the children who died at Camp Mystic. At the same time, the stories of the teenage counselors who got the children into the rafters and onto cabin roofs and who remained calm while caring for the children in such a horrendous situation amaze me. So too do the first responders who are–as we speak–still trying to find the 160 people who are missing.

In addition to those who are mourning the loss of loved ones, so many people have lost their homes and everything they had. I have been looking for a way to help–a way we can help together.

I figure that right now the most immediate need is food, so I would like to donate 20% of all sales through Sunday to Mercy Chefs who are already there feeding those who have lost everything as well as feeding the first responders, many of whom are volunteers working terribly long hours right now.

In the longer term, those who have lost so much will need help rebuilding. For that I decided to make a new colorway called Texas Bluebonnet. It will be inspired by this photo:

If you have ever driven along a Texas highway in the spring and seen bluebonnets blooming in veritable carpets of color, you’ll understand the love we have for our beautiful state flower.

I’ll be donating 20% of the proceeds from this colorway through the end of the year to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. They are right in the midst of everything in Kerr County and have been around since 1982. I thought it made sense to give to a local organization that is likely to have the best understanding of what is needed. They also get a very high rating on Charity Navigator.

I should have the first batch of Texas Bluebonnet dyed, dried, and photographed by early next week, but if you like surprises, you can go ahead and order it now!

I hope you are safe and well and that you have a great weekend.