It was a sweltering afternoon in Houston, but that didn’t stop Rice University student-athletes and staff from showing up — some straight from practice — to help collect donations for families impacted by the devastating floods in Central Texas.
Outside the Brian Patterson Sports Performance Center, students and staff unloaded cars, sorted supplies and greeted donors with smiles and gratitude July 10-11. For many, it was a way to respond to the images and headlines dominating the news — entire neighborhoods underwater, lives upended and a long road to recovery ahead.
“When something like this happens, you just want to help,” senior soccer player Naija Bruckner said. “We’re lucky to have the resources to give back, so anything we can do, we’re doing it.”
Jackson Moran, a recent Rice graduate now pursuing his master’s degree and continuing to run with the cross-country team, echoed that sentiment.
“We’re really fortunate to be here at Rice,” he said. “Giving back — especially when people are hurting — feels like part of what it means to be a student here.”
Rice Athletics organized the two-day drive to gather essentials like canned food, diapers, hygiene products, cleaning supplies and pet items for those affected by the flash flooding that swept through Central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend. Rice Athletics staff plan to drive the donations directly to Kerrville early next week.
“We just want to do our small part,” head football coach Scott Abell said. “We’re on the other side of the state and can’t always be there in person, but the little things we can do from here, along with our prayers, hopefully provide some relief.”
Abell said his players take pride in being part of something bigger than themselves both on and off the field. “We talk a lot about what it means to win in everything, and that includes being a good teammate to your community. I’m proud of our guys for stepping up.”
Tommy McClelland, vice president and director of athletics, said the relief drive reflects the kind of leadership and values that define the Rice community.
“When you think about this campus, you think about the people,” McClelland said. “There’s a real spirit of service here — from our students and athletes to faculty and staff. When a need arises, people don’t hesitate. They show up.”
Funmi Blakemore ’07, Rice Athletics’ director of administration and chief of staff, said the effort came together quickly because so many departments jumped in to help.
“Disasters don’t give you a heads-up,” she said. “We saw the need and got moving. I tapped into department after department — everyone stepped up without hesitation. That kind of collaboration doesn’t happen everywhere. Rice is doing it right.”
The drive also drew donors from across Houston, including Cynthia Whimbley, who made the trip to Rice with a friend to deliver supplies.
“God’s blessed me, so I want to bless others,” White said. “I was glad to find a place that was doing something. This was a way to help.”
Dan Gross, a food service broker with Jones Natural Group, brought canned goods and dry items on behalf of his company.
“We just wanted to be part of it,” Gross said. “You watch what’s happening, and your heart breaks. It’s so easy to feel helpless, but this was an easy way to help.”
U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston/Fort Bend County, also stopped by to show support and drop off donations.
“There’s so much happening in the world that can make you feel powerless,” Blakemore said. “But this? This was a way to do something.”