Driven to Help: Texas Teams Unite in Service

Multiple teams in Texas organized successful drives this summer to collect school items, as well as aid for victims of July’s catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country.

This summer, teams of employees across Texas came together to support their communities. From collecting school supplies for students to providing aid for families affected by devastating floods in the Hill Country, each meaningful effort was rooted in our Core Value of Service.

Inspired to Give in Corpus Christi

Crystal McGrew, coordinator, facility compliance in Corpus Christi, Texas, just joined the South Community Investments Committee this year and has already made an impact in her community.

“During our annual committee member training, I learned how other facilities have successfully participated in school supply donation drives,” she said. “It inspired me to get our team involved as well.”

Motivated by what she learned, McGrew rallied her team to collect school supplies for a local school in a low-income area. Their donations included essentials like pencils, crayons, notebooks, backpacks and more — and the effort is still ongoing.

“Children are the heart of our future, and we believe in empowering them with the essential tools to learn, grow and succeed,” McGrew said. “We hope to make a meaningful impact in their educational journey.”

Deer Park Team Expands Its Impact

In Deer Park, Texas, a team led by Sean Williams, supervisor, area operations, initially volunteered to assemble hygiene kits for The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a nonprofit supporting survivors of domestic violence. After delivering the kits and touring the facility, Williams was moved by the depth of the organization’s impact.

“I saw the importance and need for continued efforts to assist battered women and their children – and at that moment, I wanted to do more.”

To meet timely needs, Williams and his team – including Crystal Santana, administrative assistant; Ferdinand Fontenot, damage prevention operator; and Brandon Dinsmore, manager, operations – organized a back-to-school drive. Later, they returned to serve dinner to more than 120 individuals at the nonprofit.

Deer Park’s efforts didn’t stop there. Sean Forey, supervisor, damage prevention, helped lead a donation drive for victims of this summer’s catastrophic flooding in Texas.

“Bringing supplies to the banks of the Guadalupe River left a mark on my soul,” Forey said. “I’ve seen families searching desperately for their children and their loved ones. I’ve seen volunteers — people of every race, religion and political belief — working side by side, united by grief and hope.”

Momentum Builds at Mont Belvieu and Beyond

Thanks to coordination across Texas locations – including Bridgeport, Dallas, Downtown Houston, Galena Park, Hearne, Irving, Midland, Odessa, Pasadena, Silver Creek and Weatherford – donations were delivered to Deer Park for distribution.

Forey credited teamwork and the support of local leaders as key success factors, giving a special shout-out to the Mont Belvieu team, especially Megan Hammons, supervisor, project controls, for their dedication; Deer Park team members Crystal Santana, administrative specialist, and Jose Garcia, contingent worker, who helped load the trailer, and Fontenot. Also, damage prevention operators Justin Broadus and Daniel Gonzales, who ensured supplies reached those in need.

“This is about people,” Forey said. “Helping fellow Texans in their time of need.”

Houston Extends a Helping Hand

Along with their donation drive to support flood victims, Houston employees also put together care packages for homeless shelters. And when Angie Wells, community relations coordinator in Mont Belvieu, reached out with a local need for school supplies, Houston didn’t hesitate to help. Angela Reyna, administrative assistant, was a part of that effort.

“We try to do as much as we can when the opportunity arises,” Reyna said.

She shared that ONEOK’s strong community outreach program makes it easy for employees to stay involved and support local organizations. “We have a great team that keeps us connected and always looking for ways to give back,” she said.

These efforts, whether sparked by a single conversation or driven by urgent community needs, reflect the power of teamwork and the heart of ONEOK’s commitment to Service. Across Texas, employees continue to show up for their neighbors – proving that when we work together, we can make a lasting difference.