People
June 18, 2024
Union Pacific Backs Texas Recovery Group’s Mission to Safely Rebuild
Nearly seven years after Hurricane Harvey devastated the Gulf Coast of Texas, displacing thousands of people and damaging homes, the Golden Crescent Long Term Recovery Group continues to safely rebuild the community. The organization’s disaster response project provides populations impacted by the hurricane and 2021’s Winter Storm Uri with funds for construction materials and contractor labor costs.
Last year, a grant from Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program supported the organization in assisting homeowners in Bloomington, Texas.
“Each homeowner deserves a safe and sanitary home to provide protection to their families during and after natural disasters,” said Rick Villa, executive director of the recovery group.
Working alongside community partners, contractors and volunteers, Golden Crescent Long Term Recovery Group aims to rebuild homes that are better suited to withstand future storms. In the past year, the organization supported 19 home improvement projects, assisting individuals with interior and exterior repairs such as roofing, electrical or plumbing.
“It’s our relentless mission to help renters, homeowners, small nonprofits and churches in the Golden Crescent region with disaster response and recovery,” Villa said.
Union Pacific is proud to support Texas organizations through its Community Ties Giving Program. In 2023, the railroad provided more than $1.6 million to nonprofits around the state, including the Destined For Empowerment Community Development Corporation, SPARK and Keep Victoria Beautiful.
In 2023, Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program proudly awarded nearly $5.1 million in local grants, benefiting 543 nonprofit organizations across its 23-state system. The small- and medium-sized grants support initiatives centered around the railroad’s key areas of giving: safety, workforce development, community spaces and environmental sustainability.
To read more about Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program or apply for a grant, visit up.com/communityties.