Fall 2019<br>News Briefs
LLFC: Assembling and deploying Lego Robots, June

What’s happening around the Foundation…

ECHO VALLEY RENOVATION CAMPAIGN MEETS CHALLENGE GRANT BY MABEE FOUNDATION

Because of our amazing supporters, the Mabee Foundation Challenge was met way ahead of the scheduled deadline! This means the $4.2 million goal for twelve new cabins was met. There is an additional $1.4 million goal to replace the septic system, build a gathering plaza next to the Ranch House, and complete some much needed road work and landscaping through the site. If you would like to be a part of the campaign, please contact Bonnie Finley, Director of Development at 830-315-9266.

AN INVITATION TO NEIGHBORING TOGETHER

On October 9, the H. E. Butt Foundation is hosting a discussion and workshop called “Who Is My Neighbor? A Conversation and Call to Action.” We’ll share lunch together and hear from Jeremy Everett, the founder and executive director of the Texas Hunger Initiative based at Baylor University, about why the stark rise in inequality of opportunity is an urgent challenge that concerns all of us. We’ll also think together about how best to respond in support of families and children across our community.

Location: Tri-Point Center on N. St. Mary’s at 281, San Antonio, Texas
Time: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
RSVP here

LLYC: ONE FAMILY, FOUR GENERATIONS IN THE CANYON

Bill Cody is one of the founders of Laity Lodge Youth Camp and the namesake of Laity Lodge’s Cody Center for the arts. His legacy with the Foundation goes back to the 1960s, and this summer, his granddaughter developed that family legacy even further.

Sarah Cody came to the Canyon as an LLYC parent for the first time.

In a recent blog for LLYC Alumni, Sarah says, “My husband and I just dropped off our two oldest boys at LLYC yesterday for the first time, and I can’t explain how incredible the feeling was … Apart from being super jealous that I couldn’t stay, and sad to leave my babies, I’m over-the-top excited for them because I know what an amazing place they’ll be in.”
Visit llyc.org/the-cody-legacy to read her full reflection.

FRIO RIVER CANYON GETS ROADBED UPGRADE

Quietly over the past year, two of the dirt roads servicing the H. E. Butt Foundation Camps have received an invisible but important upgrade. The foundation’s Property Planning & Stewardship team tested an environmentally sensitive additive—sprayed directly onto the road base—which reduces erosion and mitigates the once commonplace plumes of dust generated when cars and trucks drove through the Canyon. According to Kevin Wessels, assistant director of stewardship at the H. E. Butt Foundation, the new road surfacing provides greater tire traction on hills (the initial test was done on the steep drive up to Quiet House), are less likely to add silt to the Frio River, and are safe for the Canyon’s plants and animals.

PICTURED ABOVE:
(1) LLYC – five-legged racing at Rodeo Night, June
(2) Laity Lodge – assembling a Calderesque stabile at Creativity Week, July
(3) Conjunto Hall of Famer Bene Medina teaches accordion to campers at Girl Zone’s “Dare to be Powerful” summer camp in San Antonio’s Dignowity Park. Girl Zone is a program of Martinez Street Women’s Center, a recent member of the foundation’s Capacity Building Cohort. Girl Zone also brings students to Foundation Camp each Spring.

The Latest

It’s Your House Now

When they were going to condemn her San Antonio house, here's how Olga Escobedo got it back.

I Am Unbeatable!

Compass Rose Journey is helping its students and teachers to get off the couch and into the outdoors.

She Found Her Spirit to Soar

Aliyah Jackson got off the street and into college with help from SA Youth.

Announcing The Congregational Collective

David Rogers announces the launch of a nonprofit to help San Antonio faith communities support mental wellness.

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