Boots on the Ground in Liberty Hill

Just 30 minutes from my AvantGarde office and our home, Liberty Hill families were in need and hurting after the devastating July 4th Texas floods. David and I had the privilege of showing up, rolling up our sleeves, and helping with clean-up efforts in a city led by someone I deeply admire — Mayor Crystal Mancilla, a former AG Project Manager turned bold leader who’s been working nonstop for her city and people.

People drove in from hours away. One well-known strawberry farmer from Fredericksburg jumped in like everyone else. That’s Texas. That’s community. And that’s the kind of leadership and compassion that gives me hope.

No red tape. No red carpets. Just Texans — showing up with gloves in hand, ready to serve. I was especially moved by one couple we helped — both foster care survivors, and he a military veteran. Their gratitude and grit were humbling.

This sweet family is also caring for a beautiful horse named Jr. After the flood, his electric fence — which had allowed him to roam freely on their land — was badly damaged. With no enclosure, they were forced to keep him in a small pen until repairs could be made. Weeks later, the homeowner called me near tears. The vendors she’d lined up to give quotes never showed, and Jr was still stuck in the cramped space. She was worried — he was acting anxious, making strange noises, losing weight, and had eaten everything in sight. “He’s not used to this small area,” she said. “I can tell he just wants to roam, but I don’t know what to do to make him comfortable.”

We immediately paid them another visit, checked on Jr, and followed her to the local lumber store to help purchase everything needed to rebuild the electric fence. That same day, she texted me pictures and a video — Jr was back out on the land, free and happy again. My granddaughter Bella, who loves horses, had joined us for that visit — and I like to think it was her little spark of joy that helped get things moving!

I’m grateful for the health and strength to serve, and proud to be part of this moment.