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Bandera County Courier is published weekly by Gail S. Joiner, 1210 Hackberry St., Bandera, TX 78003. Subscription price $26 per year in Bandera County, TX; $36 per year for other Texas counties; $40 per year out of Texas. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Bandera County Courier, P.O. Box 1704, Bandera, TX 78003. Periodicals Postage pending in Bandera, Texas.

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Gail Joiner: Publisher
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Staff: Judith Pannebaker, Editor
David Arny, Writer
Dennis Allyn, Political Cartoonist
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James Henry Frazar, Composition Editor
Contributors: Stephanie Parker, Marlene Heavner, Doug White, Clare Barnett, Mikie Baker, Doris Doebbler, Jack Finger, Ed Longhurst, Bill Ellis, Bob Jamison and Jim Harris.

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'A Taste of San Miguel' final 'fun-raiser' for Nagel clinic
by Judith Pannebaker
BCC Staff Writer

Published Oct. 18, 2007

Disfrutan un fiesta, A Taste of San Miguel, the final local "fun-raiser" of the year for the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic, were "fun-raising" committee members, desde la izquierdo, Joe y Cindy McMullan, George y Necia Yax, erstwhile Chairmen Pat y Cindy Breedlove and Martha y Craig Bodiford.

BCC Staff Photos

Caterer Brick Gibson and staff, Sidny Cook and Dody Nolen, serving chateaubriand to, front, Alex Donalson and Jay Harmon

Under twinkling lights, nearly 150 participants enjoying "A Taste of San Miguel" at Pat and Cindy Breedlove's Casas de Amigo

Having a great time at the final "fun-raiser" for the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic, Cindy Breedlove, Jules Jourde, Pat Harrison and Jo Caudle.

Mary Kling, Kathy Overstreet and Opal Boyle at the “fun-raiser” held Saturday, Oct. 13

John Hutcherson serenading the crowd from a vine-covered balcony

Rachel Wyman and Krystal Lewis smiling for the birdie
Bellinda Barnett and Roz Brown, sharing a secret

   A thousand South Texas stars glittered down on "A Taste of San Miguel," the final local "funraiser" of the year for the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic, located at the Helping Hand complex, 1116 12th Street.
    Approximately 150 community leaders attended the Saturday, Oct. 13, event hosted by Pat and Cindy Breedlove at their beautiful hilltop hacienda, Casas de Amigo. The evening "fun-raiser" featured cocktails served in the Spanish-style courtyard by cascading Mexican tile fountains, star-gazing from rooftops, dining and dancing all evening to authentic Mariachi music.
    Margaritas and wine flowed, and funds for a worthy cause poured in.
    Since the "fun" began over two years ago, nearly $800,000 has been raised for constructing the building and staffing and operating the clinic.
    Foundation support for the new medical clinic included $250,000 from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation; $75,000 from the JE and LE Mabee Foundation of Tulsa, Oklahoma; $60,000 from the Baptist Health Foundation; $60,000 from the Cailloux Foundation; $45,800 from the Hal and Charlie Peterson Foundation; and $40,000 from The Meadows Foundation of Dallas.
    The gifts will fund the building and equipment with a portion being earmarked for the endowment, as well.
    Originally, Helping Hand administrators had requested $100,000 from the Kronkosky Foundation, but were both surprised and pleased to receive a check for $250,000 instead.
    During the clinic's groundbreaking last May, Rev. Richard Dunham of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church described a "serendipitous" encounter that paved the way for the eventual low cost medical care to serve uninsured residents of Bandera County.
    Characterizing philanthropist Arthur Nagel as a "faith-filled man," Dunham recalled the man who spearheaded the effort.
    "Mr. Nagel traveled frequently through Bandera to his home in Kerrville," Dunham said in an earlier interview. "He had a vision that Bandera County needed a free medical clinic and that it was his duty to initiate it."
    Nagel was referred to Dunham, who at that time served as president of the Bandera County Christian Fellowship. "As I spoke with Mr. Nagel, he laid out his vision for me. I could tell he was legitimate and had the wherewithal to bring this vision to fruition, so I directed him to Helping Hand," Dunham explained.
    At Helping Hand, Nagel spoke first with Executive Director Jesse Parks then to the board of directors, who also became convinced of Nagel's sincerity and commitment. Nagel's $150,000 seed money paid for the clinic's architectural design and basic structure, Dunham said, adding, "He envisioned the community filling out the project."
    Nagel's faith in Bandera's residents was not misplaced. His generous gift served as impetus for donations that eventually totaled over $110,000 in local donations, said Pat Breedlove, chairman of the "fun-raising" committee.
    Additionally, a Taste of San Miguel contributed $11,240 to the clinic coffers.
    Other "fun-raisers" included wine trails and the September 2006 "Safari Fun," hosted by George and Necia Yax at their Ranch in Medina, as well as the elegant "Run for the Roses" on Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday, May 5, courtesy of Joe and Cindy McMullan.
    Two rollicking performances of Harvey Raab's Dogsbreath Devereaux, the Dastardly Doctor at the 11th Street Cowboy Bar also contributed to the cause.
    Good triumphing over dastardly-ness proved profitable for the nascent health clinic. The old-fashioned melodrama netted over $6,000, which was earmarked for operational expenses.
    According to Breedlove, the final event for the "Fun-Raising" Committee to help build the Arthur Nagel Helping Hand Clinic was a big thank you to generous Bandera County residents and visitors.
    "Those attending various events contributed the money that facilitated grants to complete a fine facility to serve low income uninsured in our county," he added. "Everyone understood the importance of the project and the support has been tremendous."
    Breedlove praised the locals who opened their wallets, ranches and residences for the "exceptional events" that added an undeniable "diversity and flare to "fun-raising'."
    He reserved special accolades for his handpicked and hard-working committee that included his wife, Cindy; the McMullans, the Yaxs' and Craig and Martha Bodiford.
    If all goes according to schedule, the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic will open in February.

Helping Hands Serves columns archived in the on-line edition of the Courier

'A Taste of San Miguel' final 'fun-raiser' for Nagel clinic	Published Oct. 18, 2007
Columns: Oct. 11, 2007 Oct. 4, 2007 Sept. 27, 2007 Sept. 20, 2007 Sept. 13, 2007 Sept. 6, 2007 Aug. 30, 2007 Aug. 23, 2007 Aug. 16, 2007 Aug. 9, 2007 Aug. 2, 2007	Columns: July 26, 2007 July 19, 2007 July 12, 2007 July 5, 2007 June 28, 2007 June 21, 2007 June 14, 2007 June 7, 2007 May 31, 2007 May 24, 2007
'Monumental occasion' for Bandera & Helping Hand	Published May 17, 2007
Columns:	May 17, 2007 May 10, 2007 May 3, 2007 April 26, 2007 April 19, 2007 April 12, 2007 April 5, 2007 March 29, 2007 March 22, 2007 March 15, 2007 March 8, 2007
Social services fair March 7	Published March 1, 2007
Columns:	March 1, 2007 Feb. 22, 2007 Feb. 15, 2007 Feb. 8, 2007 Feb. 1, 2007 Jan. 25, 2007 Jan. 18, 2007 Jan. 11, 2007 Jan. 4, 2007
2006 Helping Hand columns	2005 Helping Hand columns

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published Oct. 11, 2007

   It is nice, occasionally, to have a light week. Then we can focus on other meaningful things. Last week was a light week. We focused on our budget for next year. As the operations of Helping Hand grow, our expenses have likewise grown. The fundraising phase of building and operating the medical clinic is over, so we won't be competing with them as we plan our own fund- raising event in 2008. Most churches who support Helping Hand have contributed the same amount year after year.
    During their budget process this year, we ask many to consider pledging an increase in financial support.
    We focused on how we can improve the services to our Helping Hand clients. This one is easy.
    Over a period of time working with so many people in crisis some legitimate, some not we have a tendency to lose the one thing every person needs more than anything else. Jesus commanded us, Peter reminded us and John reminded us above all else to love one another. Why do we need to be reminded of this?
    We seem to have an enemy who never ceases to cause difficulties and try to put calluses over our hearts. A light week is a good time to scrape off the calluses and free the love and joy of the Lord to give to our clients.
    Clients like Ms X, a grandmother whose daughter and two children recently moved in with her. Her daughter has a job in Kerrville, but Ms. X needed a box of food to help her in the transition.
    Clients like Mr. and Mrs. Y have two children. They are both injured and can't work, one temporarily. He has applied for disability from Social Security. We gave them a box of food.
    We have our fall and winter clothes displayed on the racks in the Helping Hand Thrift Store now, so come and check out our clothes before spending much more money at the malls. You could easily find just what you need and save a lot of money at the same time. If you want to make a donation to Helping Hand or shop at our thrift store, come to 1116 12th St. in Bandera, or call Sandy or Jesse at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published Oct. 4, 2007

   The Alamo Area Work Source state agency comes to Bandera once or twice every week and provides some very beneficial employment services including training, employment interviews, GED high school graduate equivalency diplomas and child care. They scheduled Ms. X for an employment interview and referred her to Helping Hand for diapers and clothing for her one child. We were glad to provide that assistance. They are located in the Health Department building across from the Silver Sage Senior Center.
    Ms. Y, one of the waitresses from the Old Spanish Trail Restaurant, lost a week's wages when a fire forced the closing of that restaurant for a few days. She came to Helping Hand, and we paid her electric bill.
    Ms. Z is a single mom expecting another child. She has a steady job, but got behind in her bills and simply could not get caught up. She came into Helping Hand last week and asked if we could help her, so we paid her electric bill.
    One of the family crises that we encounter occasionally is a family moving to Bandera and needing food simply to begin living here. We gave a box of food to one such family last week. The father was out looking for work.
    If you would like to make a donation to Helping Hand, or shop at our thrift store, come to 1116 12th St. in Bandera or call Jesse or Sandy at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published Sept. 27, 2007

   Mrs. X's husband passed away, and she draws a widow's pension from Social Security. She had a job however, she broke her leg and is no longer working. Mrs. X's son also received a monthly check from Social Security through age 18.
    Those checks were to continue while her son is in college; however, due to some mix-up, they were dropped. Papers have been filed with Social Security to get the son's payments resumed. In the meantime, she came into Helping Hand, and we paid her electric bill.
    Mrs. Y's daughter suffered abuse from her husband in another town. She left him and came home to live with Mrs. Y in Bandera. Mrs. Yhas a job, but she spent all of her savings helping her daughter make this move. She came to Helping Hand, and we paid her electric bill. Her daughter now has a job, so they should be able to pay their household bills from now on.
    Mr. and Mrs. Z have three small children, and they recently moved to Bandera. Mr. Z has a job now, but things were financially tight for them during the transition. Jesse Parks, Director of Helping Hand, gave them a gasoline voucher to get one of the children to a doctor, and gave them a box of food.
    We also helped four families out with diapers this past week. If you would like to make a donation to Helping Hand or shop at our thrift store, come to 1116 12th St. in Bandera, or call Jesse or Sandy at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published Sept. 20, 2007

   Helping Hand was established to help people, particularly low income individuals and families, get through the crises that occurs in their lives. Our aim is to give people both hope and help at a crucial time of instability in their lives so they can regain order and self-sufficiency. The dictionary defines crisis as "an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person's life."
    Probably 25 to 30 percent of people asking for our assistance do not fall under this definition. Instead, they ask Helping Hand to simply support them. Many have no self esteem and a mindset that tells them they can't do anything to make a living. Some are so deeply depressed they have been deemed disabled by some official agency, so they draw monthly disability payments from Social Security. Many go from agency to agency and from church to church, seeking food and assistance.
    Mr. and Mrs. X both receive monthly disability payments and depend on an agency to pay their electric bill. Instead of paying their relatively small electric bill this month, they went on a vacation. When they returned, they discovered the agency that supported them was out of funds.
    So they came to Helping Hand, asking us to pay their electric bill, and we turned them down. We believe Mr. and Mrs. X have to face the responsibility of taking care of their own bills and not depend on some agency to support them.
    Mr. Y was laid off work eight months ago and, instead of seeking work somewhere else, has since adopted a lifestyle of going from agency to agency for the material and financial assistance he needs to survive. He came to Helping Hand, asking us to pay his electric bill, and we turned him down. We believe
    Mr. Y should face his own responsibilities and get another job. Helping Hand wants to help any family or individual facing a crisis in their life. If someone is deeply depressed, has lost all self-esteem and is under the care of some agency to help them recover, we will work with that agency and provide the assistance they request. But we do not offer psychological services ourselves.
    We gladly help a significant number of elderly and severely disabled residents every month who cannot work and have no family to provide for them. However, as a general rule, we want people to take responsibility for their own lives and not depend on Helping Hand to support them. Otherwise, we would run out of money to help the families and individuals that truly face some legitimate crisis.
    If you want to donate to Helping Hand or shop at our thrift store, come to 1116 12th St. in Bandera, or call Jesse or Sandy at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published Sept. 13, 2007

   One characteristic common to most crises is that they happen quite suddenly, and we don't see them coming.
    Mrs. W, a grandmother, had a good job which gave her sufficient income to raise two grandchildren.
    Then she hurt her back so severely that she had to have surgery. The doctor told her she could never work again. Her husband had recently died. She filled out paper work to receive a widow's pension and disability income from Social Security. Mrs. W does get food stamps, but is not old enough to qualify for Medicare. During this crisis period, she came to Helping Hand and we paid her electric bill.
    Mr. X, an elderly man with a wife, was shocked to discover he had been deceived by a lottery scam artist involving a counterfeit certified check. It cost him much of his savings. He does receive Social Security payments, and his daughter helps him some. He admitted the cause of his crisis to Jesse Parks, director of Helping Hand, and she paid his electric bill.
    Mrs. Y's husband walked out on her and their two children and left town, leaving no child support. She was trying to start a new business as a graphic designer, but had to abandon that effort and is now looking for a job. She came to Helping Hand, and we helped by paying her water bill.
    Mrs. Z has two children, and receives $200 per month in child support from a husband who left her. She also receives disability payments from Social Security. Due to her disability she cannot work but, fortunately, owns her own home.
    When she has to buy some essential items for her children, or pay for repairs, her bills can be more than she's able to afford. That was the case last week, so we paid her electric bill for her.
    If you want to make a donation to Helping Hand or shop at our thrift store, come to 1116 12th St. in Bandera, or call Jesse or Sandy at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published Sept. 6, 2007

   He was only 18, had robbed a place here in Bandera, fought with policemen and spent time in jail when young Mr. X came into Helping Hand. He didn’t get along with his mom and didn’t know who his daddy was. His mom was away a lot, so he had been mostly on his own all of his life. His mom’s boyfriend told him he wasn’t welcome, so he spent most of his time on the street. He had dropped out of school.
    And yet, there was something about Mr. X that drew Jessie Parks, director of Helping Hand, to him. He would come into Helping Hand and talk to her. Jesse would listen to him, counsel with him and encourage him. She gave him food and had him see the nurse practitioner in the Hill Country Mission for Health Mobile Medical Clinic when he had an infection on his foot. Once she put him in a hotel for a week to get him away from the ones that got him in trouble. In spite of all he had lived through, she saw hope in him.
    Young Mr. X worked awhile in a minimum wage job. He was on many years’ probation and required to work many hours of community service. The sheriff’s office helped him get a GED, the high school graduation equivalent certificate. His mom finally told him who his daddy was and that he lived in another town in Texas. Mr. X called his dad and his dad paid his way to come live with him and his wife.
    Mr. X had lived with his dad for two months when his dad brought him to Bandera to report to his probation officer and do his required community service. His dad gave him enough money for meals and to stay in a hotel. But then, his dad’s truck broke down so he couldn’t return to Bandera to bring Mr. X home. That is when Mr. X turned to Helping Hand again for help. Jesse called me, and I took Mr. X to the Kerrville bus station, and we bought his ticket back home.
    Mr. X told me his dad was a successful insurance adjuster and planned to teach him all about the trade so he could follow in his footsteps. We had an enjoyable conversation, and I am glad to report Mr. X seems to have his feet solidly planted and is a very happy young man.
    If you want to make a donation to Helping Hand or shop at our thrift store, come to 1116 12th St. in Bandera or call Jesse or Sandy at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published Aug. 30, 2007

   Some 36 kids qualified and have received vouchers for school supplies so far this year. Many of them were also given back to school clothes.
    Ten Bandera County 10- to 12-year-olds went to the Salvation Army camp this summer and all reported having a great time. Helping Hand provided the meals while traveling to and from camp.
    Mr. X came by to express his deep appreciation to Helping Hand for paying his way to be with his dying brother in Florida over a year ago. He got there in time to be with his brother before he died and for his funeral. By our paying for his travel, he was able to leave some money for his family to live on while he was gone.
    Mrs. Y left her husband who had been physically abusing her in another town. She moved to Bandera and is being trained by the Texas Work Force Commission to become a medical insurance specialist for a doctor’s office. She receives disability payments from Social Security, and Helping Hand gave her food and clothing to help her during the training process.
    Mr. Z is under the county indigent care program to provide surgery and medical treatment for hernia and spinal problems that prevent him from doing any kind of physical labor. His sister from another town is helping him financially, and Helping Hand gave him food and clothing. If you would like to donate to Helping Hand or shop at our thrift store, come to 1116 12th St. in Bandera or call Jesse or Sandy at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published Aug. 23, 2007

   We are having our annual back to school (clothes only) bag sale Thursday and Friday, August 23 and 24. We furnish the bag and you can buy as many clothes as you can stuff into it for only $5.
    Cases of abused women and children probably draw our attention faster than any other clients. These situations are particularly disturbing and set us in immediate motion to help. Last week we received two such cases, both being referrals to us from Glennda Wilke, Director of the Hill Country Crisis Council. That organization does a wonderful job counseling with abused women and children, then helping them to resettle and regain their lives.
    Ms. X, single and pregnant, left her abuser boyfriend and found a new place to live. We helped her with her electric bill and gave her a box of food. Ms. Y’s husband kicked her and their two children out of his home, even locking up their clothes and other belongings. Glennda sent her to us, and we gave her and her two children three sets of clothes.
    Conversely, Mr. Z’s girlfriend left him with a baby and two other children. He is temporarily out of work and came into Helping Hand as his electricity was about to be turned off. We helped him with his electric bill, and he left trying to figure out who could take care of his children while he looked for work.
    We are now giving out school supply vouchers to children who need help. We invite Bandera County schools to send their students from income-challenged families to us for these free school supply vouchers.
    If you want to make a donation to Helping Hand or shop at our thrift store, come to 1116 12th St. in Bandera, or call Jesse or Sandy at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published Aug. 16, 2007

   Back to School Bag Sale, August 24 and 25 (Friday and Saturday). Clothes only. Put all the clothes you want in a bag, which we furnish, for $5 per bag.
    School supply vouchers will be available beginning Monday, August 13. Thanks to the employees of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), who voluntarily donate up to two hours of their monthly pay to support the Employees United Charities program. From this program, the LCRA employees donated $1,500 to Helping Hand for school supplies and other services.
    Mr. and Mrs. X had a thriving business in Bandera which they were forced to shut down due to their serious health problems. Mrs. X is now in a wheelchair. Medicaid has paid for most of their health care, but travel and other health-related expenses have depleted their savings. They came to Helping Hand for some assistance. We gave them a box of food and helped them catch up with their electric bill.
    Mr. Y is under the care of a state mental health agency (MHMR) in Boerne. He had to spend some time in the hospital, resulting in the loss of his job. MHMR sent him to Helping Hand, and we gave him a box of food. He is now both physically and mentally able to return to work.
    Pipe Creek Presbyterian Church and Templo Camino Nuevo Church joined together to assist Mr. and Mrs. Z and their two children find a place to live. They also helped Mr. Z find a job. They sent them to Helping Hand, and we gave them a box of food. We are most pleased to respond to requests from churches and agencies that send their families in need to us for assistance.
    If you wish to make a donation to Helping Hand, or shop at our thrift store, come to 1600 12th St. in Bandera, or call Jesse or Sandy at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published Aug. 9, 2007

   Mr. and Mrs. X, with two children, were moving to another town. Their rent had terminated here, and Mr. X had gone ahead and rented a place where they were moving, but they couldn’t occupy it for another three days. Mrs. X and their two children were left here homeless. Her in-laws made it known they that she and the children couldn’t stay with them. So the three of them came to Helping Hand saying, “We have no place to stay, what can we do?”
    Jesse Parks, Helping Hand Director, paid for a motel room for them for two nights until they could occupy their residence in the other town.
    School supply vouchers will be available beginning Monday, August 13.
    Jana McDermott, newly hired Executive Director of the Arthur Nagel Medical Clinic, attended her first meeting of the clinic board and was greeted with a very difficult case.
    Mr. Y had been examined by the Hill Country Mission for Health mobile medical clinic at Helping Hand, and sent to the emergency room at Sid Peterson Hospital in Kerrville. He had water on the brain, and it could be fatal if not treated immediately. The old Sid Peterson Hospital did not have the equipment needed to treat his condition, so the neurologist there would not accept him as a patient.
    Mr. and Mrs. Y have no money and can’t afford health insurance. Mrs. Y has a job that pays only enough to cover their living expenses in Bandera. The Arthur Nagel Clinic won’t open for patients until early 2008. (The recent rains have delayed the clinic opening.) At that time the clinic will have its own referring physician specialists, but we don’t have them now. Jana is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and is a consultant for Sid Peterson Hospital. After the clinic board meeting she returned to Kerrville to undertake to resolve Mr. Y’s medical dilemma.
    Mr. Z had brain surgery three weeks ago and will be out of work until he fully recovers. He is single and his employer said he would hold his job open for him when his doctor releases him to go back to work. In the meantime, Helping Hand gave him a box of food and paid his electric bill.
    If you want to donate to Helping Hand or shop at out Thrift Store, come to 1116 12th Street in Bandera or call Jesse or Sandy at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published Aug. 2, 2007

   She is 18 years old, very pretty, but malnourished and thin. Her family history is one of tragedy, death and abandonment. Her classmates shunned and abused her with cruel remarks, so she dropped out of high school. She lived with a young man who battered and fed her poorly, so after two years, she left him and was then homeless.
    That’s how we met Miss X, who wandered into Helping Hand this week, searching for some kind of help and someone who cared. As you can imagine, she also carried with her a lot of emotional problems, including anger.
    Helping Hand Director Jesse Parks listened to Miss X’s story and told her she had come to the right place. Jesse offered to pay for a place for her to spend the night, but Miss X said she had a friend with whom she could stay. So Jesse gave her some food and called Glennda Wilke, director of Hill Country Crisis Council. She directed Miss X to Glennda’s office.
    Parks knew that Glennda would take Miss X under her wing, counsel her, provide a place for her to live, help her find a job and assist her to prepare for taking a GED test to obtain her high school diploma. Jesse advised Miss X that Helping Hand would also provide food and clothing, as well as any needed furniture and household items. Miss X left with a small ray of hope amid a large backdrop of skepticism grown out of life’s experiences.
    Ms. Y’s face was so swollen and she was in such pain that when she arrived at Helping Hand, she could barely talk, making it hard to understand her. Her horrible dental problems had caused infection to spread throughout her body.
    Ms. Y qualified for Medicaid but dental work is not covered under that program. Her only income was from SSI Social Security Disability which she used to pay her rent. She was forced to use some of her income to have an abscessed tooth pulled, This caused her to fall behind on her rent, and her landlord threatened her with eviction.
    Ms. Y has a son serving on the front lines in Iraq, but thinks he has enough problems of his own and doesn’t want him to know about her health concerns. Jesse gave her some food and a gasoline voucher and brought her rent up to date. She called Doc Caswell, outreach director for Flying L Chapel, who told Jesse their church would try to help Ms. Y get back on her feet in good health.
    If you’d like to volunteer or donate to Helping Hand or shop at our thrift store, come to 1116 12th Street in Bandera or call Sandy or Jesse at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published July 26, 2007

   Mrs. X’s husband of eight years maxed out all of their credit cards, pocketed the money, left her and two of their children with all of the bills and took their only car with him. Emergency situations usually happen unexpectedly, leaving the victim in a state of shock. Mrs. X came into Helping Hand and told us about her crisis.
    Fortunately, Mrs. X does have a good job, even though she now has to walk for transportation. She has helped many others in the past, working with churches and bringing several clients to us for assistance. Now she is the one needing help. We provided the assistance she requested and Jesse Parks, director of Helping Hand, told her to come back for food.
    Mrs. Y lives in another county, but her teen-aged boy made some wrong choices and wound up in trouble here in Bandera. Mrs. Y had enough gasoline to get here and $25 to give to a judge with a promise to pay $25 per month until her son’s court costs, reduced to $160, were paid. The judge referred her to Helping Hand, and we gave her a voucher to pay for enough gasoline to drive her son back home. She has a job, and went back to work the next day.
    Mr. Z is disabled and receives monthly disability checks from Social Security. In addition, he works as a substitute teacher to supplement the income he needs to cover household expenses. Since it is summertime, there is no teaching work for him, so Helping Hand gave him a box of food to get by until the fall semester starts in August.
    If you want to volunteer or make a donation to Helping Hand or shop at our thrift store, come to 1116 12th Street in Bandera or call Jesse or Sandy at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published July 19, 2007

   Some reflections while Jesse Parks, the director of Helping Hand, is on vacation.
    Sandy Stells, assistant director and thrift store manager, and faithful volunteers Lucy Esparza, Sue Matox, Tim Sanchez and all the others just move right in and do the work so the service of Helping Hand doesn’t miss a beat. That’s a sign of good directing. Sandy even found the time to set up and type the semi-annual newsletter which will be distributed this month.
    The recent June-July rainy period we had was good for farmers and ranchers; good to see the creeks back to normal and sure beats the drought of 2005 and 2006. But it has delayed the construction of the medical clinic. The projected opening date has been bumped forward from November to December of 2007.
    Speaking of the medical clinic, a terrific highly-qualified group of Bandera citizens have volunteered to serve on the clinic board overseeing the clinic operation. They are Dan Wise, president; Reverend Pablo Hernandez, vice-president; Delmar Potter from Helping Hand’s board of directors; retired nurse Shirley Vangness, treasurer; Dr. Clarence Jernigan, secretary; retired EMT Ginny Brient and businessmen Joe McMullan (insurance) and Dean Schmelling (computers).
    As much as we need and appreciate contributions from churches and individuals, income from our thrift store is the primary source of funds to keep Helping Hand doing the things we do for people and families in crisis. Most folks in the county have never seen all of the good clothes, gifts, furniture, and household items we have for sale. If you are one of these people, come in and check out our thrift store. We are located at 1116 12th Street in Bandera (behind Braun Pharmacy). You may be surprised to find we have just the items you are looking for at very low prices. Every purchase contributes to Helping Hand’s operation.
    I know the city has a lot on its plate, and they don’t want to waste money renovating 12th Street between Helping Hand and Highway 173 South until construction on the clinic building is near completion. But we would surely appreciate their keeping the pot-holes in that street filled so the public can have access to us.
    Those are all my reflections for now. Jesse will be back next week.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published July 12, 2007

   Referrals go both ways between organizations which work closely together and respect each other’s services. This past week, we referred an adult to Mental Health Mental Retardation (MHMR) in Boerne, and they referred a Bandera County resident to us for food and health care. Another person called about an adult with schizophrenic problems who was referred to Adult Protective Services by us.
    We have recently written about our working relationship with the Hill Country Crisis Council (serving battered and abused women and children), the San Antonio Independent Living Services and the Bandera County Boys and Girls Club. In the past two weeks, the Food Bank in San Antonio referred three different people to us for food, all awaiting approval of their food stamp applications.
    The Community Council of South Central Texas now has an office in the Kronkosky Library. They are available to serve families on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. We refer people that have large past due utility bills to them, and they refer people with other needs to us.
    I could list many other organizations and agencies with which we maintain this kind of close relationship. Probably the largest number of two-way referrals is between Helping Hand and St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Charities. We often work closely with them to help a family with needs beyond what our individual budgets can afford.
    We are happy to be part of the combined efforts of the many organizations and agencies which serve the needs of Bandera County residents who face some kind of crisis. We all know that we need the services which others provide.
    If you want to make a donation to Helping Hand, or shop at our thrift store, come to 1116 12th St. in Bandera or call Jesse or Sandy at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published July 5, 2007

   Battered and abused women are top priority for assistance by Helping Hand staff and volunteers.
    On these cases, we work closely with Glennda Wilke, director of the Hill Country Crisis Council (HCCC). The council provides counseling, a place to stay, job training – whatever is necessary to help women get past their abusive experiences and get back on their feet emotionally and financially.
    To this end Glennda looks to Helping Hand to provide other kinds of assistance.
    This past week, we had two cases of women whose husbands had battered and abused them. Ms. X’s husband had left her with two children and a three-month past due mortgage, which forced her and her children to move. Due to a severe injury, Ms. X had also been scheduled for surgery. She had no place to go when she came to Helping Hand, and we referred her to the HCCC. They found a place for the family to stay, and Helping Hand supplied them with food. Ms. X remains under the care of the crisis council.
    Ms. Y had no children when she left an abusive husband. A hard worker, Ms. Y did odd jobs, but she also had no place to stay. The HCCC found a place for her, and they are offering her counseling to get her back on her feet. Again, Helping Hand supplied Ms. Y an ample amount of food plus a gasoline voucher for her to get to work.
    We’re very pleased to work closely with Glennda Wilke who, with her staff and volunteers, does an outstanding job helping battered women and children put their lives back together and gain self-sufficiency. The Hill Country Crisis Council deserves the support of the entire Bandera community.
    A very interesting young man, who had been abandoned by his family, has just finished high school.
    He found a good job with a firm who trained him and paid his way to continue his education. The young man had found an inexpensive unfurnished place to live and came to Helping Hand to see if we could help with furnishings. We were happy to give him several pieces of furniture and a variety of household goods.
    If you would like to donate to Helping Hand or shop at our thrift store, come to 1116 12th St. in Bandera or call Jesse or Sandy at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published June 28, 2007

   Ms X was crying as she spoke to Jesse. “I wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for Helping Hand and the Hill Country Mission for Health Mobile Medical Clinic. You have both been a lifeline for me,” she said.
    Ms. X is disabled and unable to work due to a bad heart condition. She lives alone, and her only income is a monthly disability check. She is now on Medicaid, and government insurance provides for her medical care. But she was originally diagnosed and cared for by the Hill Country Mobile Medical Clinic, and Helping Hand provided for needed prescriptions. At the time, the Medical Clinic came to Helping Hand two evenings per month, but now only comes once a month until our own medical clinic is built. It is expected to open this fall.
    As helpful as the clinic and prescriptions were for Ms. X, the main thing she told Jesse she appreciated, as her eyes filled with tears, was Jesse just being there to listen. Jesse has learned over the years that a lot of people, in addition to physical assistance, just need someone to listen to them explain their problems, and describe their fears and frustrations in the crises they face. Then, in addition to the physical services she provides, Jesse will also counsel solutions to them and pray for them if they are open to receive it.
    Ms. X recalls leaving Helping Hand with new hope, replacing her old feelings of fear and hopelessness.
    Mr. Y has a wife and three children and was always someone who helped others. So he felt embarrassed to come into Helping Hand needing help himself. He worked full time at a job that paid an amount that only allowed his family to barely get by. Now, with the price of gasoline as high as it is, he was short on the cash he needed to get gas to drive to work. Jesse gladly gave him a gas voucher. Mr. Y’s need could be considered a small crisis, but it was very real to him.
    If you want to make a donation to Helping Hand, or shop at our thrift store, come to 1116 12th St. in Bandera, or call Jesse or Sandy at 796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published June 21, 2007

   “I walked all the way here from Brownsville, on the border, and I need a bus ticket to Kansas City. The police told me to report to you,” said Mr. X, a strong and stocky man. He said this to Jesse Parks as she drove into the Helping Hand parking lot at 7:30 am.
    “We don’t open until 9 am,” replied Jesse, “and there are no buses running out of Bandera. The nearest bus station is in Kerrville, and they have a Salvation Army there where you can get a bus ticket.”
    Mr. X became upset at Jesse, saying, “I’ll be back with a police escort.”
    Jesse said, “Fine,” then hurried into the Helping Hand building and locked the door, as there was no one else there. She was alone and didn’t want to take any chances.
    Mr. X came back at nine and asked how Jesse could help him get to Kerrville. Jesse said Helping Hand had no transportation and he would have to hitch a ride on the highway. He didn’t like that answer and again expressed his irritation. Jesse asked him why his two hands were wrapped in bandages, and he replied it was because he does a lot of pushups. Mr. X’s story simply didn’t add up, and he was very intimidating. He eventually accepted some food from Jesse and left the building, and everyone was glad to see him go.
    Mr. Y needed a gas voucher to go apply for a job. He came back the next day and reported he got the job but needed some food to get by until he received his first paycheck. Jesse gladly gave him a box of food.
    Mrs. Z, like a lot of folks, has made a bunch of mistakes in her life. She has six children, three grown and three still at home. Her husband works part time, but in low income jobs. Helping Hand has tried to help her over the years. Now she is in college and attempting to get her life straightened out. Jesse gave her some food and a gas voucher to get to school. She received a small student loan to help with some expenses.
    Ten kids from Bandera, ages 10 through 12, will be leaving July 25 by bus for the Salvation Army camp south of Dallas. We are partnering with the Salvation Army offices in Boerne and Fredericksburg – who are also sending some kids to camp – to pay for the food , in addition to the bus trip to and from the camp.
    If you want to donate to Helping Hand, or shop at our Thrift Store, come to 1116 12th St. in Bandera, or call Jesse or Sandy at 796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published June 7, 2007

   One of Helping Hand’s most effective services is to refer a client to other service organizations and agencies that handle special needs.
    Ms. X is elderly. She is disabled. She didn’t work long enough to earn social security benefits when she was young. She wasn’t married long enough to a veteran, now deceased, to receive a widow’s pension. And, she has no shoulder bone, so she has to live with continual pain.
    Ms. X had two things going for her, however. She received disability payments from Social Security. She owned a small piece of swampland in Alabama which she traded to her aunt for a small piece of land in Bandera County. Ms. X lives in a small trailer to live in on that little piece of land.
    Then her aunt in Alabama died, leaving her that small piece of swampland. Following Social Security regulations, Ms. X notified them about her swampland inheritance. Immediately, Social Security stopped her disability payments.
    Ms. X attempted to call Social Security and tell them the Alabama land was worthless, but personnel refused to even talk with her about it. That’s when she turned to Jesse Parks, director of Helping Hand. Jesse had helped her in the past with food and showed her how to get food stamps. Ms. X explained to Jesse that she can’t even give that worthless swampland away.
    Jesse phoned an organization called San Antonio Independent Living Service (SAILS). They help people receive government benefits while still holding a low-income job, allowing them to maintain independent living and self-esteem.
    SAILS staff immediately went to work on Ms. X’s case. In only a few days, she received a very sweet call from Social Security telling her they were sure they could work everything out and she would continue receiving her monthly disability benefits.
    Both Jesse and Ms. X were delighted and impressed. It’s a blessing to be able to refer people to specialty organizations who have the skill and heart to get things done for our clients. If you would like to make a donation or shop at our thrift store, come to Helping Hand at 1116 12th Street in Bandera, or call Jesse or Sandy at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published June 7, 2007

   "I know what the scriptures say about our loving one another," Jesse said recently. "Jesus said for us to, 'Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and to pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.' But when I saw my verbena plants in the bed of Mr. X's pickup, I lost it. The love of God totally left me."
    Jesse Parks, executive director of Helping Hand, had helped Mr. X get back on his feet after he faced a crisis in his life. Then, the man returned last week asking for food. Since he had not been in for several months, Jesse agreed to give him a box.
    aWhile standing at the sink, she looked out the window and saw her verbena plants – flowers that she had planted and cared for in our Helping Hand garden – in the back of Mr. X's pickup.
    When she took the box of food outside to Mr. X, she confronted him about the flowers. At first he denied that he had taken them. However, when she showed him the hole he had left in the garden where the verbena flowers had been, and that she saw the plants in the back of his pickup, he confessed.
    "How could you do that after all we have done for you?" Jesse asked. "Because they were so beautiful," Mr. X replied.
    Jesse laughed while she told me this story. "I was so mad, I just told him to put the plants back in the garden, and then he could leave."
    Fortunately, Mr. X types are pretty rare. However, Jesse got a call from a pharmacy just prior to closing last week. The pharmacist told her Ms. Y was there asking for a prescription, telling them Helping Hand would pay for it. That was a lie. Last week was strange.
    We were able to help Ms. Z, a single mom with a sick child, and whose electricity was about to be cut off. We paid part of her electric bill. She has a job, so I don't expect we'll have to do that again.
    If you want to make a donation to Helping Hand or shop at our thrift store, drop by 1116 12th Street in Bandera or call Sandy or Jesse at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published May 31, 2007

   Every family and individual residing in Bandera County facing a life crisis can come to Helping Hand and receive assistance and help. With the right kind of help, everyone can overcome difficulties and become self-sufficient individuals filled with self-worth.
    That’s why Helping Hand is here at 1116 12th Street, from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday; this is why we were established by churches and the community almost 25 years ago.
    A few people, particularly newcomers to the county, mistakenly think Helping Hand is a welfare agency that doles out food and other assistance monthly. Although that is not our primary purpose, a few elderly and disabled families and individuals on fixed income, who cannot work, receive assistance on a regular basis.
    We’re primarily here to help people help themselves get back on their feet when going through a crisis. We’re here to help people develop a plan for their lives when they feel trapped with no way out. And we’re joined in this effort by other very capable and caring organizations in the county.
    Electricity was shut off on the X family who have a baby. Mr. X is disabled but works part time and brings in some income. Mrs. X’s parents just moved in with them and are looking for work. , Helping Hand Director Jesse Parks paid Bandera Electric to have the family’s electricity turned on. She expects them to be able to make their payments in the future.
    Mr. Y is raising three children without a wife. He is disabled and receives disability checks each month from Social Security – his only income. He comes into Helping Hand for some assistance once or twice a year when he simply can’t make ends meet. In those infrequent times, we’re happy to provide whatever help the family needs.
    If you’re facing somae crisis, we’re here to help, and we keep all assistance confidential. There is no reason for anyone to feel any shame about asking for help; most of us need help sometime in our lives.
    To make a donation or shop at our thrift store, come to 1116 12th Street in Bandera, or call Jesse or Sandy at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published May 24, 2007

   Summer camp comes to the forefront for parents and children this time of year as the school year comes to a close and summer vacation begins. Parents of children aged 10 to 12, prior to July 1, take note: Camp Hoblitzelle, sponsored by the Salvation Army, is free for boys and girls in that age group who cannot otherwise afford to go to camp.
    Camp for Bandera County youth is scheduled for June 25-30. It is located south of Dallas, and transportation will be provided by Helping Hand. Applications are available through Jesse Parks, Director of Helping Hand (796-8300) and Trish Green, Director of the Bandera County Boys and Girls Club (796-8109). If you want to know how much fun it is and how much your child will gain from the camp, just ask those who attended the last two years.
    Jesse Parks has been helping a homeless elderly man who receives a monthly Social Security check, but who lives in his car. She asks, on his behalf, if anyone has an inexpensive place he can rent to call and let her know.
    Mr. X recently moved here from California and did find an inexpensive place to rent, but we had to help him with some household items, since his only income is a monthly disability check.
    Meet Sue Mattox, who volunteered this past February but works in-and-out five days a week wherever needed. She tells me she was just bored, and came to Sandy three months ago and asked "can I help?" Now she is one of the hardest workers we have. Sue says she just enjoys it, and enjoys the people, both the other volunteers and the clients.
    If you want to volunteer, make a donation to Helping Hand or the Thrift Store, or if you just want to shop, come to our facility located at 1116 12th St. in Bandera, or call Sandy or Jesse at (830)796-8300.

'Monumental occasion' for Bandera & Helping Hand
by Judith Pannebaker
BCC Staff Writer

Published May 17, 2007

With hugs and gratitude, Helping Hand President Delmar Potter received a check for $60,000 from Baptist Health Foundation Board Chairman Marilyn I. Ellicott.

BCCStaff Photo by Judith Pannebaker

   According to Rev. Richard Dunham of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, a "serendipitous" encounter that occurred a year and a half ago paved the way for a free and low cost medical care for uninsured residents of Bandera County.
    On Thursday, May 10, a groundbreaking ceremony took place at the Helping Hand complex, 1116 12th Street. This fall the site will be transformed into the Arthur Nagel Helping Hand Medical Clinic.
    Characterizing philanthropist Arthur Nagel as a "faith-filled man," Dunham recalled the man who spearheaded the effort. "Mr. Nagel traveled frequently through Bandera on his way home in Kerrville," Dunham said in an interview. "He had a vision that the county needed a free medical clinic and that it was his duty to initiate it."
    In his quest, Nagel first visited a local grocery store where personnel referred him to Dunham, who at that time served as president of the Bandera County Christian Fellowship. "As I spoke with Mr. Nagel, he laid out his vision for me. I could tell he was legitimate and had the wherewithal to bring this vision to fruition, so I directed him to Helping Hand," Dunham explained.
    At Helping Hand, Nagel spoke first with Executive Director Jesse Parks then to the board of directors, who also became convinced of Nagel's sincerity and commitment. Nagel seed money paid for the clinic's architectural design and basic structure, Dunham said, adding, "then he envisioned the community filling out the project."
    Nagel's faith in Bandera's residents was not misplaced. His $150,000 gift served as impetus for donations that eventually totaled nearly $800,000, with over $150,000 raised locally, said Pat Breedlove, chairman of the "fun-raising" committee.
    Community leaders, both elected and otherwise, gathered after work last Thursday for the symbolic groundbreaking. Aware that the rock-laden soil might make it difficult for Parks and Delmar Potter, board president, to turn over the ceremonial shovelful, Breedlove hauled in a load of top soil for the occasion. "I brought this dirt in from my house, so I know you can dig in it," he joked.
    Nagel was represented by his son, Gary Nagel, and a sister, Lily Skinner.
    In his remarks, County Judge Richard Evans noted, "A wonderful project like this doesn't happen without commitment and help of the people of the county."
    City of Bandera Mayor Denise Griffin offered, "This is the type of facility you never hope you'll need, but if you do, you're grateful it's here."
    After thanking corporate and philanthropic foundations for their support, Dan Wise, who assisted with grant writing, reiterated, "The key is ‘you,' the people of the community who supported the project."
    Foundation support totaling $530,800 included $250,000 from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation; $75,000 from the JE and LE Mabee Foundation of Tulsa, Oklahoma; $60,000 from the Baptist Health Foundation; $60,000 from the Cailloux Foundation; $45,800 from the Hal and Charlie Peterson Foundation; and $40,000 from The Meadows Foundation of Dallas. The gifts will fund the building and equipment with a portion being earmarked for the endowment, as well. In addition, board members contributed $2,000 and special events raised $10,000. In kind donations included electric service from Bandera Electric Cooperative, land from Bandera County Helping Hand and legal services from Cynthia Cox Payne.
    Originally, Helping Hand administrators had requested $100,000 from the Kronkosky Foundation, but were both surprised and pleased after receiving a check for $250,000 instead. "They knew our needs better than we did," Wise commented.
    As Kronkosky Grant Manager Tom McGuire pointed out, "Mr. and Mrs. Kronkosky were generous with their money and wanted it to go for a good cause. This is a good cause."
    During his invocation, Pablo Hernandez of the Spanish Baptist Mission gave thanks to the American people and the Bandera community.
    "America is dedicated to the well-being of all people. It offers equality, freedom and opportunity to people often overwhelmed by loneliness and helplessness. As a example of ‘the American way,' this clinic will serve as an oasis in the middle of a world that often forsakes other people's suffering."
    After the brief ceremony and reception, it was business as usual for members of the construction committee. "We have six more months of hard work and then we'll all be back this fall for the grand opening of the Arthur Nagel Medical Clinic," promised Chairman Bill Bringhurst.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published May 17, 2007

   The ground-breaking ceremony signifying beginning of construction on the Arthur Nagel Medical Clinic was celebrated Thursday, May 10, and it came none too soon for many of our clients with medical problems. The clinic is scheduled to open in November.
    At present, the Hill Country Mission for Health mobile clinic only comes to Helping Hand one evening a month for three hours. This schedule causes problems for our clients.
    Many low income working families without insurance have family members who need immediate help to treat viruses, colds and similar illnesses. With the mobile health clinic's present schedule, patients sometimes suffer two to four weeks before seeing a doctor or nurse practitioner. Records are stored in the main office in Boerne while the mobile clinic is here in Bandera.
    That, too, causes problems. In addition, the pharmaceutical industry's free prescription drug program records are also kept in Boerne, which causes delays and problems in getting prescriptions filled. Clients with difficulty driving after dark are often unable to get to the mobile clinic.
    A large number of people look forward to the opening of our new medical clinic.
    Ms. X has a serious medical condition and a three-page long list of prescriptions for her and her husband. However, her Medicare insurance only pays for three prescriptions, leaving her to purchase 16 prescriptions from her social security income. Since she is on Medicare, she doesn't qualify for the free pharmaceutical industry prescription drug program. Helping Hand gave Ms. X a box of food and plan to help the X family with food for the next six months.
    Ms. Y was a registered nurse with a good paying job. However, after she started losing her vision, she had to quit work. Despite many tests, physicians cannot determine the cause of her vision loss. With no insurance or no income, Ms. Y's doctor and medical test bills have piled up. Helping Hand Director Jesse Parks made an appointment for her with the once a month mobile clinic. Ms. Y is certainly looking forward to the opening of our medical clinic.
    If you would like to make a donation to Helping Hand or shop at our thrift store, visit 1116 12th Street in Bandera, or call Sandy or Jesse at (830)796-8817.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published May 10, 2007

   Many small crises which occurred last week can cause stress and anxiety as well as large ones.
    Ms X, a single mom with two children, just started working and wouldn't be paid for two weeks when she received notice she had to pay her electric bill or service would be cut off. She came to Helping Hand, and we paid her electric bill.
    Ms Y's husband left her and three children and an unpaid electric bill. Although she worked full time, she now had to cover all bills and didn't have the money to maintain electrical service. She came to Helping Hand, and we paid her electric bill.
    Ms Z left an abusive situation in another state, moved to Bandera, and set up a tent to live in temporarily until she could get her Social Security disability payments transferred here from her previous address. She came to Helping Hand, and we gave her a gasoline voucher to drive to Kerrville and file her SSI change of address papers with Social Security.
    Child Protective Service (CPS) brought three children with only the clothes on their back to the A family, but provided no immediate income for their care. They came to Helping Hand for food and clothes for the children until CPS started monthly payments.
    Another family had 5 children brought to their home out of their dysfunctional drug-using family. Again, the only clothes they had was what they were wearing. The family came to Helping Hand, and we gave them food and clothes for the five children.
    Ms B was in the process of moving her trailer home to another county, and she had no place to stay. Helping Hand Director Jesse Parks knew about her situation and had helped her in the past, so she paid for two nights' lodging in a local hotel. Ms B has now moved to another county.
    If you want to donate to Helping Hand or shop at our Thrift Store, come to our location at 1116 12th St. in Bandera or call Sandy or Jesse at 796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published May 3, 2007

"Huge Success," was often heard describing The Food Fair jointly sponsored by the Food Bank of San Antonio and Helping Hand last week. It involved a lot of work, but was a great blessing to Bandera County residents and organizations. Besides over 100 low-income families receiving a box of nourishing food, large quantities of food were delivered to

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Charities
Silver Sage Center for the elderly
Boys and Girls Club
Cedar Creek Residential and Rehab Center
Lakehills after school program
Lakehills care for the elderly
Various church pantries for the needy

    Our heartfelt thanks go to the Food Bank of San Antonio for providing the food and to the many volunteers who helped with the distribution and clean-up.
    Another "Huge Success" was the $5,479 net generated by two melodramas this past week for the Arthur Nagel Medical Clinic operation to open this fall at Helping Hand. Two live melodrama performances by the Cowboy Capital Primetime Players at the 11th Street Bar was well attended and enjoyed by around 750 people. We sincerely thank the talented performers and Mr. James McGroarty, owner of the 11th Street Bar for both successful events for the medical clinic.
    Although the above described events highlighted this past week, help for needy families and individuals continued to be our primary concern. For example, Ms X moved to Wharton's Dock near Medina Lake in Bandera County to flee from an abusive relationship in a northern state. She was referred to Helping Hand by the Wharton's Dock Baptist Church, and we helped her get settled with food and propane gas.
    If you want to make a donation or shop at our Thrift Store, come to Helping Hand at 1116 12th St. in Bandera, or call Sandy or Jesse at 796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published April 26, 2007

Volunteers hand out some of the 18,000 pounds of food donated by the San Antonio Food Bank at the Helping Hand facility Friday, April 20. By mid-afternoon, 77 families and individuals had redeemed their food vouchers and received a variety of grocery items in return.

Helping Hand board members Ann Edge and Helen Franks helped provide curb service with a smile to area residents who showed up for the free groceries.

   For about five years, Mr. X, a Navy veteran, chose a traveling homeless lifestyle and came into Helping Hand all rough and scary looking. In addition to getting him eye glasses and a tent, Director Jesse Parks offered Mr. X some serious counsel.
    Last year, the counsel finally sunk in. Mr. X moved into his parents' cabin, and Helping Hand gave him food and clothing. A neighbor offered him a job doing yard work, and Mr. X picked up a few other odd jobs, as well as new skills such as fence building. The neighbor said Mr. X was the best worker he had. Now he pays his own utilities and buys his own food and other household needs.
    At the Thrift Store this week, Mr. X expressed his appreciation for all Helping Hand did for him. In particularl, he thanked Jesse for the counsel that changed his whole attitude and helped him settle down. Since, Mr. X doesn't have a car, Jesse referred him to someone who had an inexpensive used car for sale.
    A Bandera merchant called Jesse about another homeless man, Mr. Y, an elderly man who lived in his car parked on the merchant's parking lot. Jesse told the merchant to send Mr. Y to Helping Hand, and she would see what she could do.
    Mr. Y, a former ranch hand had lost his job – perhaps due to his advanced age. Jesse told him to check back with her the next day, after she had chance to call around for him, but, to please, stay off the merchant's parking lot.
    Jesse called a woman who said to send Mr. Y to her for an interview. If he were willing to do the outdoor work, she had a trailer he could live in. After three or four days, Mr. Y returned to Helping Hand. Jesse sent him for the interview. He was hired, but then he failed to show up for work.
    Some things work out, and some things don't.
    If you want to make a donation or shop at our Thrift Store, come to Helping Hand, 1600 12th St. in Bandera, or call Sandy or Jesse at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published April 19, 2007

   Ouch- we hit a problem in the indigent health care system.
    Mr. X had a job that paid expenses for his family until the day he experienced a bad heart attack. Mrs. X cares for their 3 children. She is trained to work as a Veterinary Assistant and would have gone to work, except that Mr. X came under indigent care to pay his high hospital and doctor bills, and now his doctor says he must install a pacemaker in Mr. X's heart. If Mrs. X goes to work, Mr. X will lose his indigent care status and can't afford the high cost for the essential pacemaker installation surgery. They have lost their home and everything, are staying with family, and have come to Helping Hand for assistance. We have helped with food, school supplies, and prescription vouchers.
    Mr. Y has severe long term medical problems and has applied to Social Security for disability payments. Applications often take much longer than a year to process. Mrs. Y worked during the day and enrolled in nursing school for evening classes. She has graduated but doesn't have the money required to take the state certification exam. They were unable to pay their water bill for a long period; therefore their water was cut off, and they have had to carry water for their household needs. They had been without water for several months when someone called Helping Hand and told us about the problem.
    We called St. Vincent de Paul, and they have joined with Helping Hand and Salvation Army to get the water turned back on for the Y family just before Easter. If requested, we are available to work on a plan to get Mrs. Y's state exam fees paid so she can take and hopefully pass her exam and become employed as a nurse at a good salary.
    If you want to donate to Helping Hand or shop at our Thrift Store, come to 1600 12th St in Bandera or call Jesse or Sandy at (830)796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published April 12, 2007

   A Harvey Raab Production, Dogsbreath Devereaux, the Dastardly Doctor, will be performed by the Cowboy Capital Primetime Players at the 11th Street Cowboy Bar, 307 11th Street. All proceeds from the old-fashioned live melodrama will go toward operation of Helping Hand's Medical Clinic. Construction, which has already been funded, will begin next month with the clinic opening this fall.
    A family matinee of the melodrama begins at 2 pm, Sunday, April 15. Cost is $6 for adults with children under 12 accompanied by an adult admitted free.
    An adult dinner theatre version will be performed at 7:30 pm, Wednesday, April 18. Cost is $10 for adults. Between 5:30 pm and 7 pm, everyone's invited to bring their own steaks for grilling and chairs for sitting. Plates and sides will be provided. Enjoy a nice steak dinner, stay for the melodrama and assist Helping Hand along the way.
    Tickets for either performance are available at Helping Hand, Bandera Convention and Visitors Bureau or at the door.
    Our thanks to "Baskets and Bunnies" for giving us 13 Easter baskets with bunnies which we distributed to children who otherwise would not have had an Easter basket. Thank you Curves Fitness Center for your food drive to stock our Helping Hand pantry. They gathered 900 pounds of canned goods.
    Don't forget the Food Fair give-away provided by the San Antonio Food Bank in the parking lot of Helping Hand between noon and 4 pm, Thursday, April 19. You must get your voucher from Helping Hand by Tuesday, April 17, to exchange for a free box of food. Avoid a line, get your voucher now.
    Mr. and Mrs. X recently moved to Bandera and both got jobs. Before they could afford an apartment, they pitched a tent outside of town. Then the rains came and flooded them out of their tents; so they came to Helping Hand seeking assistance. We put them in a hotel for two nights. Now they're able to take care of themselves.
    If you want to volunteer, make a donation or shop at our thrift store, drop by Helping Hand, 1600 12th Street in Bandera, or call Sandy or Jesse at 830-796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published April 5, 2007

   Wanted – Your advice and opinion
    As part of the planning process at Helping Hand, we're busy identifying:
    • weaknesses, such as competition from other thrift stores with more visible locations. Another is continual need for volunteer training. Another might be an inability to identify church members with a passion for helping the needy and are willing to be on our volunteer list to help when needed. Can anyone think of any other weaknesses?
    • opportunities, such as expanding our medical and possibly dental service at a proposed new medical clinic. Another is providing a one-stop location of non-profits for clients. Can anyone think of any other county needs not currently being addressed that we should consider doing?
    • problems, such as long distance and lack of communication for low income residents of the Lakehills area. Another problem is the need for generating more revenue – possibly from an annual fund raising event. Can anyone come up with other Helping Hand problems we need to do something about?
    All recommendations and suggestions should be mailed to Helping Hand PO Box 1092, Bandera, 78003, or contact Director Jesse Parks, 830-796-8300.
    Don't forget the Food Fair "give-away," provided by the San Antonio Food Bank, between noon and 4 pm Thursday, April 19, at Helping Hand parking lot. To qualify for a free box of food, incomes must be under:
    $18,130 for an individual
    $24,420 for a family of two
    $30,170 for a family of three
    $37,000 for a family of four
    $6,290 for each additional family member
    In addition, applicants must fill out an intake form and receive a voucher from Jesse Parks by Tuesday, April 17. On April 19, vouchers will be exchanged for free box of food at the Food Fair "give-away."
    To avoid a long wait for the required voucher, anyone interested in receiving a free box of food should see Jesse as soon as possible.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published March 29, 2007

   Food Fair, a food give-away program sponsored by the San Antonio Food Bank, will take place from noon to 4 pm, Thursday, April 19, in the Helping Hand parking lot, 1600 12th St., in Bandera.
    To qualify for a free box of food, you must have an income under:
    $18,130 for an individual
    $24,420 - family of two
    $30,170 - family of three
    $37,000 - family of four
    $6,290 - for each additional family member
    Those qualified to receive food must fill out an intake form and receive a voucher from Helping Hand Director Jesse Parks. Intake forms are available at Helping Hand. On April 19, you simply give your voucher to an Food Fair attendant in the parking lot and receive your box of food. Please fill out your intake form and get your voucher as soon as possible as we expect a large number of people will take advantage of this free food give-away. For more information, call Jesse or Sandy at 830-796-8300.
    A cancer patient, Mrs. X was literally wasting away. She has three children, her husband was also sick and the doctor bills were piling up when she came to Helping Hand. We helped her with a box of food, and the Community Council of South Central Texas paid her electric bill.
    Now she has completed her chemotherapy treatments and feels much better. Her husband has also recovered and is back to work. While shopping in our thrift store last week, Mrs. X expressed deep appreciation for our help during the family's time of crisis.
    Mrs. Y also has three children plus her grandmother living with her. She is disabled and has applied for Social Security disability payments. Her husband's illness caused him to lose his job.
    For a period of time, we helped the extended family by assisting with food, a gasoline voucher, electric bills, propane gas, and school supplies. Now Mr. Y is recovered and back to work. If you would like to donate, volunteer or just shop at our thrift store, come to 1600 12th St. in Bandera or call Jesse or Sandy at 796-8300.

Helping Hands Serves
by Bob Jamison

Published March 22, 2007

Helping Hand Thrift Store, 1116 12th St., will be closed