The charitable trust also gifts $1 million to support building new elementary school in Uvalde, dedicates mortgage-free homes to three severely wounded military Veterans
One of the largest charitable events in the nation, the H-E-B Tournament of Champions announced that it raised a record-breaking amount of money to support Texas nonprofit organizations. This year, the annual event brought in a record breaking $13.5 million, bringing the total raised over 38 years to more than $159 million.
As part of its charitable giving this year, the H-E-B Tournament of Champions, a charitable trust affiliated with the San Antonio-based retailer, also announced it will make a $1 million donation to support the building of a new elementary campus in Uvalde. Additionally, the trust will gift three mortgage-free, fully furnished homes to severely wounded military Veterans and their families.
From June 7-9, H-E-B Partners, vendors, suppliers, and nonprofits gathered in San Antonio for the annual H-E-B Tournament of Champions, which includes a day-of-service that’s among the largest one-day volunteer events in the city.
“We are thrilled to have set another record, raising the largest amount in this event’s history. Each year, we’re amazed at the enduring generosity from so many committed organizations, which allows us to provide much needed support to nonprofits across Texas,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B Group Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs. “Through this giving, we’re also proud to continue our support of the Uvalde community as it works to recover and rebuild.”
The trust’s $1 million gift will benefit the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation, a nonprofit launched last year to support the building of a new elementary campus in Uvalde. The project is currently in the planning and design stage. The school district expects to begin construction on the school later this year. This recent gift from the Tournament of Champions follows a lead gift of $10 million from Charles Butt, the Butt family and H-E-B to support the effort. Last year, the Tournament of Champions also committed $500,000 to support nonprofits and victim families in Uvalde. Since last year, H-E-B, the Butt family, and the Tournament of Champions along with gracious donations from H-E-B customers have raised more than $12 million to support the building of the new school and other community efforts in Uvalde.
Each year, H-E-B Tournament of Champions works with H-E-B vendors and suppliers to raise funds that support nonprofit organizations focused on the needs of children and families throughout the Lone Star State. Launched in 1986, the event has supported hundreds of organizations across Texas with direct-impact program gifts and looks forward to continuing those efforts with this year’s success.
The H-E-B Tournament of Champions also partnered with nonprofit organization Homes for Our Troops to gift three mortgage-free, fully furnished homes to three wounded military Veterans and their families. The homes, which also were stocked with food and home supplies, are customized to make them more accessible with finishes such as wider hallways, lower countertops, automatic doors, and roll-in showers. This year’s home recipients are:
who sustained multiple injuries to his arms and legs when his vehicle drove over an improvised explosive device (IED) during his deployment to Iraq in 2005.
who sustained severe damage to his left leg when the vehicle carrying him struck an improvised explosive device (IED) during his service in Afghanistan in 2011.
who sustained injuries after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his vehicle while he was on a route escort mission in Iraq in 2009.
The brave military Veterans and their families were presented with the keys to their new homes during a special dedication ceremony.
A total of 20 homes have been donated over the years through the H-E-B Tournament of Champions.
This year, the H-E-B Tournament of Champions and H-E-B, through its Operation Appreciation Homes Built for Heroes program, will hit the milestone
of gifting 50 mortgage-free homes to severely wounded Veterans, an effort that began in 2013
The brave military Veterans and their families were presented with the keys to their new homes during a special dedication ceremony.
A total of 20 homes have been donated over the years through the H-E-B Tournament of Champions.
This year, the H-E-B Tournament of Champions and H-E-B, through its Operation Appreciation Home Built for Heroes program, will hit the milestone of gifting 50 mortgage-free homes to severely wounded Veterans, an effort that began in 2013.
Beyond its financial gifts, the Tournament of Champions hosted multiple volunteer activities across San Antonio that benefit local nonprofits. These transformative volunteer projects have become a mainstay of the three-day event in recent years. This year, the H-E-B Tournament of Champions supported Child Safe, Homes for Our Troops, Mission Road Ministries, the San Antonio Food Bank, and YWCA. For one afternoon, more than 1,800 volunteers helped these important organizations with renovation projects, children’s activities, and beautification efforts.
Nonprofits in Texas seeking support for their organization can apply for funding from H-E-B Tournament of Champions at hebtoc.com.
