In the wake of the tragic events at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022, American Lumber, in collaboration with Georgia-Pacific and various organizations, raised $255,000 to support the grieving community. American Lumber's ties to Uvalde run deep, with family and business connections ingrained in the city's fabric.
American Lumber, founded by Barry Hendler, felt a profound connection to the incident as its corporate headquarters were once situated in Uvalde. BJ Hendler, the Chief Operating Officer, shared a personal connection with the school, where his mother worked, and he himself graduated from Uvalde High School.
Upon the tragedy, American Lumber, along with collaborative efforts from Georgia-Pacific and other organizations, swiftly raised $255,000, including a substantial $100,000 match from American Lumber. The pressing question arose: how could the funds best serve the Uvalde community in both the short and long term?
After considering proposals from the community and various organizations, American Lumber chose to collaborate with the Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas (CBCST), a nonprofit with a proven track record in Texas, specializing in aiding those affected by tragedies.
Under American Lumber's leadership and with contributions from partners like Georgia-Pacific, the Uvalde Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas was established in a renovated space donated by St. Philip's Episcopal Church. The center, inaugurated on June 29, 2023, through a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by children impacted by the tragedy, provides free therapy, support groups, camps, and crisis response services.
Brenda Faulkner, the center's Director of Programs, emphasized its community-centric design, shaped by the needs of those affected. Children who experienced the tragedy at Robb Elementary School actively participate in programs, showcasing the center's impact and promoting the message that help and support are available.
CBCST Uvalde extends its services to children, adolescents, and young adults aged three through 24 throughout South Texas, with the possibility of including the enrolled child's family. The center stands as a testament to the resilience of the Uvalde community and its commitment to healing and support in the face of adversity.
