Hundreds lined the streets of Beaumont on July 10 for the homecoming of Ella Cahill, a Beaumont graduate killed in the Hill Country flooding of July 4. The following day, with Cahill’s longtime beau, Aidan Heartfield, still missing, his family asked for support to continue in the form of donations rather than boots on the ground.
“At this point, the recovery operation in Hunt and Kerrville is beyond the scope of what we, as civilians, and Aidan's family, are able to organize effectively,” Aidan’s father, Beaumont attorney J. Thad Heartfield wrote to fellow barristers.
Heartfield urged those already en route to Hunt on July 11 to check in with Hunt-area churches to assist with their organized recovery efforts. All other volunteers were asked to stay in Southeast Texas as contribute to “an organization in your own community or donate to the Kerr County Relief Fund, if you are in a position to do so.”
“We are so grateful for each and every volunteer who has offered their time and energy to help find Aidan and reunite other families with their loved ones,” Heartfield expressed. “There are ways you can help at home. This disaster has ripple effects that are reaching every corner of Texas, and people need help everywhere. Folks are displaced from their homes and need support. Those organizations will, in effect, help us and families like ours.”
Hunt authorities have previously routed interested volunteers to report to the Kerrville Salvation Army by calling (830) 465-4797 or showing up in person at 855 Hayes St.