Our CEO, Adam Lampert, recently returned from the Texas Hill Country, where he spent several days volunteering to help with search and recovery. With this tragedy still on the minds of many, we felt his story was worth sharing. Here are Adam’s reflections.

My family was in the Hill Country during the July 4th flood, staying at our ranch, about 40 miles downstream from the center of the devastation. At the time, all we knew was that it rained nonstop for more than 24 hours, and that our property, thankfully, was spared from severe damage.

After returning to Dallas from the holiday weekend, I was struck by how deeply the tragedy had impacted people across the state. This sense of collective loss, especially seen in the empathy of my colleagues, inspired me to reach out to the Hunt Fire Department (HFD) in west Kerr County to see how I could help. HFD welcomed the idea and suggested I bring my heavy equipment from the ranch to assist in the recovery efforts near the headwaters. A local volunteer even offered to trailer the machinery more than 50 miles to Hunt, where I spent several days working along the river.

It was a humbling and inspiring experience. Here’s what I learned while working alongside so many selfless volunteers:

• The devastation was gut-wrenching. Personal belongings scattered everywhere. Trees of all sizes were shattered, torn apart. Cars were abandoned, some half-submerged, others battered by the flood’s fury.
• The community’s support was uplifting. I was just one of many volunteers who flooded in from all over. There was this incredible sense of “Put me in, coach!” People were eager to do whatever they could. I never had to ask for a meal or drink—strangers were everywhere, offering food, water and supplies for anyone working.
• Texans—and Americans—show up. People from more than 20 states came to help, and there was even a team from Mexico. Everyone was willing to do whatever it took, no matter how difficult the task.
• Let’s not forget who we are. In times of political division, it’s easy to lose sight of the values that make us strong. But the humanity on display in the Hill Country reminded me of our best selves—generous, resilient and ready to help others in their darkest moments.