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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: fotgproject@gmail.com

Date: Monday, July 21, 2025

FOUND ON THE GUADALUPE: A HEART-LED FLOOD RECOVERY EFFORT THAT PROVED WHAT’S POSSIBLE WITHOUT A DOLLAR OF PUBLIC FUNDING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: fotgproject@gmail.com

Date: Monday, July 22, 2025

FOUND ON THE GUADALUPE: A HEART-LED FLOOD RECOVERY EFFORT THAT PROVED WHAT’S POSSIBLE WITHOUT A DOLLAR OF PUBLIC FUNDING

Kerr County, TX – In the critical first 72 hours after devastating floods swept through the Hill Country, two grandmothers—without funding, title, or government directive—mobilized a movement that would reach over a million people, return of countless items, and reunite families in the midst of heartbreak.

FOUND ON THE GUADALUPE, launched on instinct and compassion, now includes a community of over 42,000 members. What began with two women coordinating efforts from the ground and behind a screen has grown into one of the most visible, effective citizen-led recovery efforts in recent history.

“We didn’t have a budget. We had heart. And it worked,” said co-founder Dondi Voigt Persyn.

Within the first week, FOUND implemented:

• A team of high functioning, trauma informed moderators and volunteers

• Processing, listing and reunion protocols

• Preservation and presentation of items of a sensitive nature

• Information guide for textile, photo and material conservation including textile & archival experts

• A working digital catalog and photo-based item recovery system

• A Family Liaison Program to ensure privacy and verifiable reunification

• Temporary, climate-controlled warehousing secured through partner Cord Shiflet, who has also committed to funding private, respectful return shipping

• Ongoing collaboration with churches to fill the gap of sensitive reunification

• Working with local law enforcement and fire volunteers to intercept recovered items before they were lost to formal evidence intake

FOUND’s impact has drawn national attention. The effort has been featured in Texas Monthly, People Magazine, The New York Times, and multiple national primetime news segments. Individual item posts have received between 10,000 and 500,000 views, and the group has reached over one million people across platforms.

All of this was accomplished with less than $5,000 in total support— with a six-figure philanthropic offer still left on the table. We are stewards of our community’s benevolence , working effectively and efficiently.

WE CREATED THE STANDARD AND SET THE BAR HIGH

FOUND ON THE GUADALUPE is aware of developing efforts by public agencies to create a duplicate lost and found system for flood recovery, with an estimated start up cost of $75,500 in taxpayer funding requested from FEMA. While any sincere effort to support families is welcome, it must be acknowledged:

The people want to heal through connection and action. This project provides the opportunityfor just that.

The work has already been done.

The infrastructure already exists.

The trust has already been earned.

We created the standard, and set the bar not only for our beloved hill country, but for our friends among the nation and the world..

“This work demands a level of reverence, trust and precision we do not compromise on”” Persyn said. “

This project was born in urgency, not under contract. It was created by and for the people—with honor, speed, and sancity. Its success lies in its accessibility, compassion, and ability to move without bureaucracy.

With no intent to embarrass or expose, we identified a flaw in current recovery protocols: when items are turned over to certain agencies, they often become entangled in evidence custody systems, making reunification difficult or impossible. We have worked closely with local law enforcement and volunteer responders to respectfully address this gap—and we are open to continued collaboration to improve outcomes.

IN CLOSING

FOUND ON THE GUADALUPE will continue to serve as long as it is needed. We believe in dignified return, in healing through action, and in building systems that serve our grieving community.

“Found on the Guadalupe River Project is a heart-led community with no red tape and no tax burden. But most importantly- it’s an act of love”

– Dondi Voigt Persyn and DeAnna Lindsay

Founders, FOUND ON THE GUADALUPE