The ICA Help Your Neighbor program is sending $100,000 to Sanderson following a devastating EF-3 tornado that ripped through the small town Sunday.
ICA reps said the program is funded through a private donation, local businesses and ICA partners.
At least two historic buildings were destroyed and several people were injured during the tornado. Sanderson is the Terrell County seat — 54 miles east of Marathon and 65 miles south of Fort Stockton — with a population of about 740.
Video from Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland showed the tornado tearing through Sanderson. Some news reports indicate two Border Patrol agents were injured and several agent’s homes were destroyed/damaged in the storm.
Ferguson Motors, a coffee shop, eatery and event space housed in a historic car dealership building, received heavy damage throughout the establishment but particularly in the event space in the back that lost most of its roof, reports detailed. The business also housed art and other items for sale, much of it destroyed. A GoFundMe has been set up to help the business get running again.
ICA, owned by Odessa businessman and philanthropist John Bushman, is known for making big donations following tragedy.
In 2022, a donation fund that Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis put together for the community of Uvalde received a $100,000 donation from Bushman and ICA. In December 2023, deadly tornadoes in Clarksville, Tenn., tore through that city and ICA donated $100,000 in the name of the City of Odessa.
