Last updated on September 8th, 2023
The Butt family and H-E-B have announced they will commit $10 million to help build a new elementary school campus in Uvalde, Texas.
In partnership as founding donors, the family and H-E-B will work with other stakeholders and organizations on the development of the project. Texas firms Huckabee and Joeris General Contractors, which are also founding donors, have made commitments to donate their services and time to the effort, which will help the children, families, staff and Uvalde CISD community move forward.
Built in the 1960s, Robb Elementary had served 538 students in second through fourth grades. The school has been permanently closed following a May 24 attack by an 18-year-old gunman that left 19 students and two teachers dead and another 17 people wounded. Plans are in place for the school to be demolished, ensuring students and staff will not have to return there.
The new school will enhance educational offerings and implement safety and security measures and infrastructure to support the availability of new technology. Its location and design have not been determined, nor has the timeline for the project. The school district will work with the Uvalde community, donors and other stakeholders to solicit ideas and gather feedback.
“Our first store in Uvalde opened in 1959, and Uvalde people are our people,” said Charles Butt, H-E-B’s chairman. “As we continue to mourn this tremendous loss, I join with my family and H-E-B in working to ensure the Uvalde community can move forward from this tragic event. Our children are this country’s future and our schools should be a safe place where children can thrive and envision new possibilities.”
For those who would like to join the effort, contributions can be made to the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation, a nonprofit established to raise funds for the new campus, as well as serve the immediate and ongoing financial needs of Uvalde CISD. Donations can be made online at UvaldeCISDMovingForward.org.
In addition to this project, H-E-B last month launched a donation campaign and announced it would commit $500,000 to support the victims and families affected by the tragedy. Earlier this month, the H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust announced a $500,000 donation to support nonprofits helping Uvalde.
“We thank our loyal H-E-B customers for their unwavering support of communities in times of need,” Butt said.
Since 1905, H‑E‑B has donated financial support and emergency supplies, as well as providing efficient ways for customers to assist those affected by tragedy and disaster.
