On January 28, 2013, the Helping Hands Board of Directors conducted their annual meeting at The Hilton Bella Harbor. In attendance were board members/directors/officers, Helping Hands employees, volunteers and invited guests. Directors and officers were introduced along with several new Helping Hands staff members.
The presentation of board and volunteer awards highlighted the event. A total of 16,700 volunteer hours were logged in for 2012.
“We couldn’t do our job without our volunteers,” said Executive Director Margo Nielsen. “Individuals, schools, churches and business and civic groups combine to produce our volunteer force. Their dedication and contributions are vital to Helping Hands, and our achievements are so much greater because of them.”
Director Sherry Hamm began the Starfish Awards with the story of the “Starfish,” and awards were presented:
New this year was the presentation of the President’s Volunteer Service Award. The youth program was established in 2003 by President Bush to recognize volunteers across the United States. Chairman Lorne Liechty introduced the 2012 recipient, Garth Gulickson, and presented the award:
Assistance & Referral (Starfish Award)
Mrs. Joy Sharp
Mr. George Russell
Centsible Thrift Store (Starfish Award)
Mrs. Adele Hoofnagle
Health Center (Starfish Award)
Mrs. Liz Allen
Executive Director’s Award presented by Margo Nielsen
Mrs. Mary Liechty
The David Lensch Award presented by Dr. David Lensch
Dr. Robert N. Stark Jr.
The Ethel Moss Award accepted by COO Cindy Paris
Texas Health Presbyterian Rockwall
The Chairman’s Award presented by Board President Lorne Liechty
Mr. Jeff Progelhof
Presidential Volunteer Service Award
Garth Gulickson
The Soroptimist Ruby Award for Women Helping Women. Presented to Margo Nielsen in recognition of her work to improve the lives of women and girls through her professional and volunteer work.
The finance report for the year ending December 31, 2012, reported that revenue from Helping Hands Thrift Stores totaled $919,000 — a record high just short of the goal of $1 million. Major revenue sources for 2012 were:
Thrift Stores 40%
Health Center 17%
United Way 8%
Special events 7%
Property Donation 7%
Civic & Business 6%
Individual Contributions 5%
Leases 4%
Annual Campaign 3%
Presbyterian Medical Center 2%
Churches 1%
Elected of Officers for 2013:
Lorne Liechty, Chairman
Lee Gilbert, Vice Chair Thrift Stores
Sheri Starkey-Parks, Vice Chair Assistance and Referral
Bobby Stark, MD, Vice Chair Health Services
Jeff Progelhof, Corporate Secretary
Becky Speight, Treasurer
Story and photos by Sharon Lewis
Planet Rockwall.com
