The home at 1917 Cochran Lane in Rockport was recently rebuilt as part of a partnership between CITGO and Aransas County Habitat for Humanity. It is one of 24 homes the partnership is renovating after damage by Hurricane Harvey almost a year ago.
In February, CITGO Petroleum Corp. donated $1.4 million to the Aransas Pass nonprofit to help the community recover from the disaster. Rockport took the brunt of the Category 4 hurricane Aug. 25-26, 2017.
“The work being done on the homes is a combination of both volunteers and skilled labor,” said Patty Butters, executive director of Aransas County Habitat for Humanity. “The families we have helped in Rockport with the CITGO donation would have had no other means to repair their homes and, potentially, could have left the community. This keeps more of our workforce and families here, thus slowing the growth decline. That is a major win for our community.”
CITGO’s “Fueling Good. Rebuilding Lives.” initiative also provided potable water and fuel immediately after the storm. It donated another $500,000 to the Coastal Bend Community Foundation to provide food, water, and other necessities to storm victims.
Since February, a volunteer team of CITGO employees, friends, family, retirees, and contractors have been removing debris and rebuilding homes. The volunteers assist nonprofits in completing projects, including beach cleanups, across the Coastal Bend.
"CITGO is proud to contribute funding and volunteer support to our neighbors in Rockport," said Art Klein, vice president and general manager of the Corpus Christi refinery. "Hurricane Harvey threw everyone for a loop, but the fact that we are able to lift up our community and offer aid is a special privilege and honor."