**Flood Cleanup Volunteer Event** - Holbrook Family Ranch

Over the July 4th weekend, the San Gabriel River flooded more than 15 feet and severely damaged the Holbrook family's End of the Trail Ranch in Burnet, Texas. Thankfully, their homes are safe, but the lower property was overwhelmed by debris and floodwater, destroying several outbuildings — including a historic pavilion that hosted community gatherings, and even USMA ‘04 Jason Holbrook’s barbecue before his death in Afghanistan.

The ranch is home to Jason’s widowed mother, Ms. Elaine, and his brother Stoney’s family. This place holds deep meaning for many of the family, friends, and classmates of Jason Holbrook — it’s not just the Holbrook’s home, but a sacred space where both Jason and the family patriarch and USAF veteran James Holbrook lay in rest.

We're asking for volunteers in the Fort Hood, San Antonio, and Austin areas to join cleanup efforts on Saturday and Sunday August 9-10, 2025. The work will be labor intensive and involve removing trash and debris, clearing and replacing downed fence lines, and helping restore the land.

Volunteer Daily Timeline

0800-0900: Arrival of Volunteers at Pavilion

Sunday 0815-0845: Riverside Worship service and Sermon at the Holbrook Pavilion

0900-0915: Safety Brief to volunteers

0915-0930: Crews identified, and priorities of work established by crew leads

0930-1200: Morning work shift

1200-1300: Benediction and Volunteer Lunch provided by the Holbrook – RSVP REQUIRED

1300-1630: Afternoon work shift

1630-1700: Packout, tool cleanup and departure

Please select a general admission ticket for each member of your party. If you are able to only attend on Saturday or Sunday please select the appropriate "Add On" to help us provide an accurate count.

The Holbrook Ranch is at 1825 Co Rd 203, Burnet Tx 78611

The front gate will be opened from 0800-1700 to facilitate entry and departure.

A volunteer will direct parking and direct volunteers to the cleanup site. A UTV will be available to ferry tools and people to the work site as needed.

A volunteer coordinator will be located at the riverside pavilion to receive all volunteers, provide a safety brief and direct them to work crew leaders to collect and sort debris and trash on both sides of the river and clear and repair fencelines.

The targeted area for cleanup of debris and trash includes both the north and south sides of the San Gabriel river

PRIMARY SAFETY CONCERNS

**PLEASE NO YOUNG CHILDREN**

-Heavy equipment and chainsaws: for movement of debris and trash, requires ground guides and constant situational awareness by all volunteers.

-Heat and dehydration: tasks will be labor intensive with limited water on site; please bring water sources.

-Running water with banks: the banks of the San Gabriel run from 3-10 feet high on either side of the river.

-Snakes, insects, cactus and wildlife in rocky terrain and muddy conditions: recommend gloves, jeans, boots, and long sleeve shirts to mitigate concerns from bites and stings. **Please have epi-pen injectors on hand, as required.**

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

-RSVPing: provides an accurate headcount for the Holbrooks to provide lunch on August 9th and 10th.

-No pets, please: the Holbrook Ranch is a working cattle ranch as well as a Wildlife Refuge.

-Limited facilities: a porta-john with hand washing station will be available for use at the pavilion.

-Limited First Aid: will be at the pavilion.

-Onsite Dumpster: for collected trash. Please plan to backhaul your own waste.

-Limited Cell Service: onsite volunteer leads will have a means to communicate.

-On site tent camping: authorized for volunteers on the evening of August 9, 2025. Please text me if you would like to camp.