Hi, this is Mary Stelter, mom to Jim and mother-in-law to Callie. I am organizing this on their behalf after the horrible flash flooding that completely devastated their home town of Hunt, Texas.

On the morning of July 4th, our family got a text that stopped me cold:

“We’re ok. Hunt is gone.”

I opened the news—and my heart sank. What I saw was unimaginable.

That morning, severe storms knocked out power and cell service in the Hill Country. Cut off from the outside world, Jim and Callie had no idea of the devastation just miles from their home. Around 5 am, Jim stepped outside and saw floodwaters rushing down their road. His instincts told him it was bad. Very bad. He woke Callie and said, “We have to go—now.”

Being a veteran with Jim’s extensive military training and his six years as a volunteer firefighter with the Hunt Fire Department, he knew exactly what to do. He threw on his boots and ran out the door—not away from the danger, but straight into it.

That morning, Jim helped evacuate neighbors, rescued people, and tragically, recovered bodies. He was one of the early first responders on the scene at Camp Mystic and has barely stopped since. For 16+ hours a day, Jim has been on the front lines, volunteering in search, rescue, and recovery efforts. He is physically and emotionally exhausted—but still out there helping his community with everything he has.

Meanwhile, Callie has been organizing supply distributions through their church and trying to lift spirits by painting bright, hopeful quotes/scenes on the windows of surviving local businesses.

While their rental home was spared, they’ve lost more than they realize. Jim lost his work tools, supplies, and equipment—things he needs to earn a living. With no power, their food has all perished. All their outdoor belongings and items in outdoor storage are destroyed by water and mud. And now, their biggest concern: work has disappeared. Jim had been working in construction and project management, but every job on the horizon has been canceled or postponed indefinitely. Most rebuilding contracts are going to large companies outside the Hill Country, leaving local workers like Jim without income. Callie’s work as a local artist is inconsistent while the area rebuilds.

At first, their focus was solely on helping others. It wasn’t until later that the full weight of their own losses hit them. They’ve always been the ones offering help—never asking for it. But now, they need our support.

Jim and Callie are pillars of their community. Their hearts are in the right place, their hands are always busy helping others, and right now, they could use a hand themselves. With no steady work in sight, rent, bills, replacement of items lost, and day-to-day needs, even a small donation could help ease their burden as they continue to serve others during this difficult time.

If you’ve ever been touched by their kindness—or if you just want to support two incredible people doing everything they can for a community in crisis—please consider donating. Callie said today that it’s incredible that there’s “so much hurt and also so much blessing.” Let's all bless them now.

Please donate if you can, and share if you can’t. Every bit helps.