Donors helped The Ark shelter survive during pandemic

Trejo and Sister Tormo pose with the 2020 Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children’s $125,000 donation. Valero’s check will be a big help with The Ark’s expenses.

When 2020 began, The Ark Assessment Center and Emergency Shelter for Youth planned to commemorate the completion of two decades of service to more than 4,000 abused and neglected children at The Ark Gala in September.

The COVID-19 pandemic required the gala’s cancellation. That was a big blow because its proceeds help pay for the children’s services. Food costs increased. Donations declined – dramatically as people lost their jobs or became ill due to the virus. The number of children placed at the shelter fell significantly, which decreased funds received from the state. Hurricane Hanna caused an outage at the facility that resulted in major electrical problems.

Financially speaking, the situation didn’t look promising until donations and grants began arriving from near and far, enabling the agency to continue serving the children. 

The Ark extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who have generously made financial contributions to the shelter during the pandemic. Thank you to significant donors from April of this year through Nov. 16. They are U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program, Valero 2020 Benefit for Children, H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Ed Rachal Foundation, Most Rev. Wm. Michael Mulvey STL D.D./The John G. & Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, A.R. “Tony” and Maria J. Sanchez Family Foundation, Elizabeth Jones, Texas Center for Child and Family Studies, San Marin Laundry Company, Mayor’s Disaster Recovery Fund, Nueces County,

Also thanks to donors Elsa C. Jackson/Laura Trevino/Rosalinda Barrera, Most Rev. Rene Henry Gracida D.D., UPS Foundation, Fernandez Family, Anonymous, Michael E. Rektorik, LyondellBasell, Antonio Vera and Jesusa Sanchez-Vera, Optimist Foundation of Downtown Corpus Christi Texas Inc., Grace Ford Powers, Paul B. Crutchfield, Norman J. Acker and Katelijne F. Acker, Annaville Nursery and Florist, Jack Baker, Robert Black, Allen Borden, CP2 Partners, Mr. and Mrs. Luis A. Elizondo, Sandy F. Gibbs, Golden Girls Club, Javier H. Gomez LCSW, 

Additional donors are Gowan Elizondo LLP, W.O. Harrison Jr. Family LP, Sandy Hartensteiner-Worst, Dr. and Mrs. Aaron M. Harvey, Noe Lira M.D., Gabriel Lopez M.D. and Angelina R. Lopez, Thelma Lopez-Lira M.D. P.A., Josephine Miller, Patty P. Mueller in honor of Most Rev. Rene Henry Gracida D.D., Sarah O’Brien and Paul O’Brien, Robert Parker, Damaris M. Perkins, Carol C. Reding and Thomas M. Reding Jr. in honor of Josephine Miller, Res-Con, St. Patrick Church Works of Mercy, Sam’s Club, Larry J. Snapka and Carolyn J. Snapka, South Texas Electric Cooperative Inc., Vanguard Charitable, Walmart #464 - Calallen and Walmart #5460 - Portland. 

The Ark’s deepest appreciation also goes out to the 266 donors who contributed $92,748.59 to the shelter during the 2020 Coastal Bend Day of Giving.
 

Trejo and Sister Tormo pose with the 2020 Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children’s $125,000 donation. Valero’s check will be a big help with The Ark’s expenses.