In the wake of the Robb Elementary School tragedy, H-E-B and the Butt family, which founded the chain, have announced a $10 million commitment to help build a new elementary campus in Uvalde, Texas.
In partnership as founding donors, the Butt family and H-E-B will work with other stakeholders and organizations on the development of this project. Texas firms Huckabee and Joeris General Contractors, which are also founding donors, have made commitments to donate their services and time to this project, which will help the children, families, staff, and Uvalde community move forward together, says the retailer.
“Our first store in Uvalde opened in 1959, and Uvalde people are our people,” said Charles Butt, H-E-B’s chairman, in a statement. “As we continue to mourn tremendous loss, I join with my family and H-E-B in working to ensure the Uvalde community can move forward from this tragic event. Our children are this country’s future, and our schools should be a safe place where children can thrive and envision new possibilities.”
The new campus will significantly enhance educational offerings and implement state-of-the-art safety and security measures, and infrastructure to support the availability of new technology, according to H-E-B. The location and design of the new campus and timeline for the project have not been determined. The school district will work closely with the Uvalde community, donors, and other stakeholders to solicit ideas and gather feedback for the project.
Built in the 1960s, Robb Elementary serves approximately 538 students in grades second through fourth. The school has been permanently closed, and while a timeline hasn’t been determined, plans are in place for the school to be demolished, ensuring students and staff will not have to return to the building at the site of the tragedy.
In addition to this support, last month, H-E-B launched a donation campaign and announced it would commit $500,000 to support the victims and families affected by this event. Earlier this month, the H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust also announced a $500,000 donation to support nonprofits helping fellow Texans in Uvalde.
Related: H-E-B Offers Campus Delivery; H-E-B Ranks as Top U.S. E-Grocer.