Dale Hammon, a UCI (underwater criminal investigator) certified diver from East Liverpool, and his nephew, Nathanial Payne of Poland, display a check drawn on the remaining funds from the GoFundMe account established to help them go to Kerrville, Texas to help with flood recovery. The check will be sent to Kerrville to help with continued recovery. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Dale Hammon, a UCI (Underwater criminal investigator) certified diver from East Liverpool, and his nephew, Nathanial Payne of Poland, who left on July 8 to help with the search and recovery efforts of victims lost in Kerrville, Texas floods, are sent a check Tuesday to Kerrville to Texas State Rep. Josey Garcia who commanded the search and recovery efforts for recovery relief.

While in Kerrville, Hammon worked with other divers searching the river for the remains of those missing in the floods.

Garcia noted that Hammon was essential in helping some of the rescue teams learn to survey and search the waters. He also noted that he was in with approximately 300 divers.

Hammon requested assistance to cover the cost of the trip through a GoFundMe account. The duo received donations from individuals and four local churches: The Living Well Church and the First Christian Church in Wellsville, Maranatha Chapel in Calcutta and Westminster Church in Chester, West Virginia.

Hammon and Payne want to express their thanks to the individuals and churches who contributed and made the rescue mission possible.

Hammon noted that he doesn’t normally ask for assistance to provide aide, but he had assisted in Ashville, North Carolina after Hurricane Helene devastated the area and that pretty much wiped him out.

Hammon said he wants everyone who donated to help fund the trip to know that all the money collected is going to Kerrville. The $1,618 that was left after covering the cost of the check was withdrawn from the account at WesBanco and issued in cashier’s check which is being sent to Kerrville to help residents there. He also noted that he added some of his money from his Social Security check to bring the check to the amount to an even $1,650.

Kgarabrandt@mojonews.com