Rapier Family Foundation donates $500,000 to El Paso families affected by mass shooting

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) –  The El Paso Strong Fund just got a lot stronger with more than half-a-million-dollars in donations from a local charitable foundation.

WellMed Senior Vice President Jimmie Keenan also serves on the Board of the WellMed Charitable Foundation,which raised $42,000 to help families of the victims of the mass shooting at a Walmart store in El Paso.

“Then to have Dr. George Rapier and Kym Rapier to come forth and tell us that they were going to pledge half-a-million-dollars to the effort brought tears,” said Keenan.

Twenty-two people were killed and 24 others injured in the mass shooting August 3. Chris Robles’ family was hit hard by the tragedy.

“We lost my nephew and his wife. They died protecting their 2-month-old son,” said Robles.

The baby’s mother fell when she was hit by a bullet, but she held on to her baby and he was not seriously hurt.

“He broke a couple of little fingers, but he wasn’t struck by a bullet because his parents shielded him,” said Robles.

Andre and Jordan Anchondo also left behind a young daughter, who was not with them at the time.

For those left behind, things will never be the same. Robles says he and his wife are more cautious, always on the alert. He says they always look for the exits when entering a building.

Unfortunately, there are many other stories of families affected by the tragedy, and Robles says they’re grateful for the support from the San Antonio community where he has lived for more than a year.

“It’s a great thing what the Rapier Family Foundation is doing and the WellMed Charitable Foundation. The people here are great and the support is unbelievable,” said Robles.

You can make a contribution to the El Paso Strong Fund at www.wellmedgives.org.