SABN Lions Secure $18,000 in Grants to Support Crystal City Flood Recovery

Funding from the Texas Lions Foundation and Lions Clubs International Foundation will strengthen continued relief efforts for families impacted by flooding

SAN ANTONIO / CRYSTAL CITY, Texas (August 1, 2026) — The San Antonio Bexar Necessities (SABN) Lions Club & Foundation has secured $18,000 in disaster relief grant funding to support continued flood recovery efforts in Crystal City, Texas.

The funding includes a $3,000 Disaster Relief Grant from the Texas Lions Foundation and a $15,000 Disaster Relief Grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). Together, the grants will help Lions continue providing essential recovery supplies and assistance to households impacted by the recent flooding.

The grants build upon relief efforts already underway by SABN Lions Club & Foundation in partnership with the Crystal City Lions Club, fellow Lions Clubs, community partners, volunteers and local leaders.

“This funding gives us the ability to continue showing up for families beyond the initial response,” said Martin Padron Jr., President of the San Antonio Bexar Necessities Lions Club. “From the beginning, our goal has been to listen to the community, understand what families actually need and then mobilize the resources to meet those needs. These grants allow us to take that work even further.”

$15,000 Lions Clubs International Foundation Disaster Relief Grant

Lions Clubs International Foundation awarded a $15,000 Disaster Relief Grant to support the ongoing Crystal City flood recovery response.

LCIF Disaster Relief Grants empower Lions to respond swiftly and effectively when natural disasters strike. The grants provide critical support for relief efforts in communities impacted by floods, hurricanes, fires and other catastrophic events, giving Lions resources to provide immediate assistance and remain engaged throughout the recovery process.

The LCIF grant was secured with the support and guidance of District 2-A2 Immediate Past District Governor Nan Patton, who assisted the club as it developed its request and navigated the grant process.

“We are incredibly grateful for the guidance and support we received throughout this process,” Padron said. “This is a great example of what happens when Lions at the club, district and international levels work together with one goal — serving a community that needs us.”

$3,000 Texas Lions Foundation Disaster Relief Grant

The Texas Lions Foundation awarded an additional $3,000 Disaster Relief Grant in support of the Crystal City recovery effort.

Texas Lions Foundation Disaster Relief Grants are made in response to natural disasters that cause significant injury, property damage and loss, providing Texas Lions with resources to respond to communities facing immediate and ongoing needs.

The grant was secured with the help of District 2-A2 District Governor Jeffrey Almoney and Past International Director Ernesto “TJ” Tijerina, along with the assistance of Texas Lions Foundation Chief Operations Officer, District 2-T2 PCC Bernie Gradel, Jr.

Their support helped SABN Lions move through the grant process while the club continued mobilizing resources and coordinating its response in Crystal City.

A Team Effort

Securing the two grants was a collaborative effort by SABN Lions Club leadership. The team worked together to document community needs, develop the proposed relief plan, identify resources and prepare the grant requests.

The club’s grant-writing team included:

• Martin Padron Jr., Club President
• Janet Franco, Club Vice President
• Julie Cavazos, Club Secretary
• Ann Islas, Club Service Chairperson
• Marsil Padron, Club Membership Chairperson

The grant requests were strengthened by information gathered directly from Crystal City residents through the club’s Crystal City Flood Impact & Community Needs Assessment and ongoing conversations with affected families. That information has helped Lions prioritize resources based on the needs identified by the community itself.

“This has always been about listening first,” said Ann Islas, Service Chairperson for the SABN Lions Club. “Families told us what they were facing and what they still needed. These grants mean we can continue responding to those needs and remind the community that Lions are still here, working alongside them as recovery continues.”

$18,000 to Continue the Mission

Together, the two grants provide $18,000 in new resources for the Crystal City Flood Relief mission, strengthening the ability of Lions to continue supporting affected households as they move from immediate disaster response into recovery.

SABN Lions Club & Foundation will continue working alongside the Crystal City Lions Club, Lions throughout District 2-A2, community leaders and volunteers as grant resources are deployed and additional needs are identified.

“These grants demonstrate what is possible when Lions work together at every level,” Padron said. “We are grateful to LCIF, the Texas Lions Foundation and every Lion who helped guide and support these requests. Every dollar represents another resource we can put to work for families in Crystal City.”

For SABN Lions Club & Foundation, the grants represent another step in a response that began by listening to residents and continues with a commitment to remain engaged as families recover.

“Crystal City welcomed us into their community and trusted us to help,” Padron said. “We take that responsibility seriously. Our commitment is to make every dollar, every supply and every volunteer hour count.”

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About the San Antonio Bexar Necessities Lions Club & Foundation

The San Antonio Bexar Necessities Lions Club & Foundation is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to serving communities through humanitarian service, disaster response, vision initiatives, hunger relief, youth programs, and community partnerships. Guided by the Lions International motto, 'We Serve,' the organization works to meet immediate needs while building stronger, more resilient communities throughout San Antonio, Texas and beyond.

For additional information, please email club@sabnlionsclub.org