EDINBURG, Texas – The Moody Foundation has awarded $250,000 to Hidalgo County to support first responders and frontline workers and to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE).
The foundation, which began in 1942 and is headquartered in Galveston, has committed over $9.7 million in relief funds across the state of Texas.
Ross R. Moody, trustee of the Moody Foundation, said that as Hidalgo County weathers the negative impacts from both the pandemic and Hurricane Hanna, The Moody Foundation reached out to help.
“We know that our friends in South Texas have been hit by unprecedented hardships,” Moody said. “First responders and frontline workers are making tremendous sacrifices to serve their community, and it is our honor to aid their heroic efforts and to provide PPE to keep them safe.”
Moody’s forbearers established The Moody Foundation “to benefit in perpetuity present and future generations of Texans.” This directive is upheld by subsequent generations of the Moody family in its stewardship of the now $1 billion-plus asset organization, of which grant making interests include children’s issues, social services, arts and education, with grants restricted wholly within Texas.
Hidalgo County has a population in excess of 800,000. Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez said the timing for the grant has been especially crucial as Hidalgo County responds to recovery efforts following the hurricane.
“We are grateful to the Moody Foundation for this generous donation,” Cortez said. “Dealing with a pandemic in the middle of a hurricane has tested our resources to the limit. This money will assist our first responders by empowering them with more resources to serve our people in need.”
Moody said the grant was awarded as part of the Moody Foundation’s recent round of COVID-19 relief grants to continue supporting immediate basic needs and first responder assistance in Texas.
“The Moody Foundation stands with all Texans, and we’re committed to working with our Texas communities who have been hit hard by the pandemic,” Moody said. “Hidalgo County is a resilient community, and we’re confident they will emerge stronger and better than ever.”
The Moody Foundation has a board of three trustees: Frances Moody-Dahlberg, Ross Moody and Elizabeth Moody. To learn more about the foundation go to MoodyF.org and/or follow the Foundation on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
It was established by W.L. Moody, Jr. and Libbie Shearn Moody in 1942 to share their good fortune and make a difference in the lives of the people of Texas. Since then, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.8 billion in grants throughout the state to organizations that have educated, healed, nurtured and inspired generations of Texans.
The death rate from COVID-19 in Hidalgo County is twice the state average. The total number of fatalities stands at 682. On Monday, Judge Cortez reported that a further 26 residents had died due to COVID-19 complications. Another 398 tested positive for the virus which brings the total number of known positive cases to 17,751.
“My deepest condolences to the friends and families who have lost a loved one today,” Cortez said. “COVID-19 is still very present in Hidalgo County. If you or someone you care for are at higher risk of getting sick from COVID-19, take preventative steps to avoid getting sick. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid close contact with people who are sick, washing your hands often and wearing a facial covering.”
Cortez said there are currently 763 people hospitalized with complications from the virus; 227 of those cases are being treated in intensive care units.
There are 4,986 net active cases and 35 people were released from isolation on Monday, Cortez added. The 35 Hidalgo County residents have been symptom-free for 10 days, including three days without a fever.
Editor’s Note: The main image accompanying the above news story shows Ross R. Moody.
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