SAN ANTONIO, TX, February 22, 2021 – The Morgan’s Wonderland Inclusion Foundation (MWIF) will spearhead and seek donations from the community for Let’s Help SA, an emergency fund to assist citizens in desperate need recover from last week’s devastating winter storms.
“Our research indicates the greatest needs right now are food, water and shelter,” said Gordon Hartman, the driving force behind MWIF and creator of world-renowned Morgan’s Wonderland theme park. “To address these pressing needs, we have identified three local non-profits – the San Antonio Food Bank, SAMMinistries and Haven for Hope – that can use LHSA funds to address the urgent needs of those in difficult circumstances. Resources of these three organizations are already stretched thin.”
All tax-deductible donations to LHSA will go directly to winter storm relief. Those wishing to donate can do so at www.LetsHelpSA.com.
“Our hope is to collectively raise millions of dollars to help those in tough situations get back on their feet,” Hartman said. “The first $500,000 in donations will be matched by The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation, The Harvey E. Najim Family Foundation and the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation. This is a great start, but we really do need to raise millions to have a dramatic, positive impact for San Antonians in distress.”
A companion relief effort – SAWS’ Community Pipe Repair (CPR) Fund – will help pay for urgently-needed plumbing repairs, said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg.
“The CPR Fund will provide assistance for SAWS residential customers in Bexar County who suffered water pipe damage in their homes because of the recent winter weather event,” he explained. “The Fund will be hosted by the San Antonio Area Foundation, and the repair program will be administered by SAWS until all funds are exhausted. The program will prioritize emergency pipe repair that risks causing harm to life, health or safety of the occupants.”
Tax-deductible donations to the CPR Fund can be made at www.saws.org/cpr.
“The winter storm has passed, but the recovery is in its early stages,” he added. “Many of our friends and neighbors have immediate needs that they can’t afford to address, yet they also can’t delay. Donated funds will enable them to take care of those issues now. Helping each other get through hard times is the San Antonio way.”
The brutally-cold conditions and the lingering COVID-19 pandemic have combined to jolt the city with a one-two punch, Hartman added. “We need to be quick and aggressive in rushing recovery throughout the community,” he stressed. “We hope citizens who can afford to participate will give generously to the LHSA relief effort right away.”
He also noted that the Morgan’s Wonderland Inclusion Foundation wanted to take the lead in Let’s Help SA because the MWIF mission is inclusion. “We’ve been successful in helping children and adults with special needs, and we’re so grateful to San Antonio for helping us achieve our mission,” Hartman said. “Now, we’re stepping up to help our friends and neighbors in dire need right now because of the disastrous winter weather.”
MWIF, an outgrowth of the success of the world’s first theme park designed with individuals with special needs in mind and built for everyone’s enjoyment, coordinates planning, fundraising and communication among Morgan’s Wonderland and other ventures to help those who deal with physical and cognitive special needs. For more information about MWIF call (210) 495-5888.
The San Antonio Food Bank provides food to those in need. With only a 2 percent overhead, 98 percent of donated resources go to help set the table for 120,000 individuals a week, a total that has swelled recently because of frigid weather and the lingering COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.safoodbank.org.
SAMMinistries’ mission is homeless prevention, helping those at risk of becoming homeless attain self-sufficiency by offering – with dignity and compassion – shelter, housing and related services. For more information visit www.samm.org.
Haven for Hope provides, coordinates and delivers an efficient system of care for people experiencing homelessness in San Antonio. For more information, visit www.havenforhope.org.
