How the Texas Team Mobilized for Hill Country Disaster Relief
On July Fourth, historic flooding struck Kerr County, sweeping away homes, camps, and cherished community spaces across the Texas Hill Country. In true Texas spirit, local Houston teammates jumped in to find opportunities to join the neighbors, volunteers, and organizations who quickly mobilized to support recovery efforts.
“When we saw the devastation in the Hill Country, we couldn’t stand by,” said Alicia Valdez, a member of the CCS Facility Services’ Houston account management team, “As Texans, we support each other no matter what. It doesn’t matter if it’s your town or not—Texans pull together.”
“So many of us are connected to the Hill Country,” said Karen Martin, Business Development Manager. “It’s truly the heart of Texas—a special place where generations of families have made memories.”
The Houston team was so passionate about doing something meaningful, and company leadership offered their full support to aid in relief efforts. “In times of crisis, our company steps in with both hands and hearts,” said Bill King, CCS Facility Services Chief Operating Officer. “Our markets are always there to support our company and employees, so we try to always be there when these communities need us most.”
From Houston to Hunt
The Houston team quickly got to work, driven by their deep commitment to service. Branch manager Rob Wilson and Alicia took the lead on securing most needed supplies– first aid kits, trash bags, and other heartfelt items.
The team loaded everything into Karen’s Bronco, and she drove straight to the Hunt Fire Department in Kerr County.
Along the way, Karen stopped at a small, family-owned restaurant giving out free meals to emergency responders and families impacted by the disaster. It was a reminder of what makes Texas strong: communities that show up for one another, offering kindness, resilience, and help however they can.
“When I got out to survey the damage, I was completely overwhelmed,” Karen recalled. “But seeing how people came together—neighbors helping neighbors, strangers stepping in without being asked—that’s what truly stayed with me. It reminded me that having a Service Heart is about showing up for each other.”
From San Antonio to Austin
Meanwhile, Brian Stewart, Director of Strategic Account Operations, was in San Antonio helping at a client site when he heard that the client was organizing a cleanup effort outside Austin. Brian immediately asked what CCS Facility Services could do to support it. With leadership’s full support, he filled his car with essentials from Costco—bug spray, trash bags, and more—and joined the volunteers.
“As a parent whose kids also go to camp, all I could think about was how those families must feel, and how much I wanted to help,” he said. “Sometimes showing up is the most powerful thing we can do.”
One Company, One Heart to Serve
In just a matter of days, CCS Facility Services employees across Texas mobilized to join on-the-ground relief efforts, and showing what it means to live the company’s mission. Additionally, the company made a donation to the Kerr County Flood relief fund to support further relief efforts, an organization recommended by the Houston team.
It was a powerful reminder that CCS Facility Services doesn’t just talk about having a Service Heart, it lives it. Whether serving customers, employees, or communities in need, the team shows up, ready to help.
“I’ve never been prouder to work somewhere,” Karen said.
