Polk County News - Breakout

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Patsy WilsonBy Brian Besch
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Last year, in celebration of Center of Hope volunteer Patsy Wilson’s life, the Wilson family donated bags of oranges and candy canes to help those in need around the holidays. A total of 112 bags of Cuties and 3,024 candy canes were donated around Christmas.

Growing up in Tyler, Patsy’s favorite thing at Christmas time was receiving an orange. It was outside the means of her family’s budget, but a treasure for that time of year.

This year, the Wilsons are beginning the second annual Patsy Wilson Citrus Drive in hopes of helping even more. Her daughter-in-law, Leigh Wilson, said her family would attempt to reproduce the success of last year.

“Because none of us are physically there this year, I called Gloria (Barber, Center of Hope Director of Operations) and said that all of us were going to donate money to the mission,” Wilson said. “That is what we’re going to do for our Christmas for each other. We picked the food distribution date of Dec. 16 to be when they will give out the oranges and candy canes as they did last year.”

The family’s goal this season is to raise $5,000 for Polk County Center of Hope. It is a busy time of year for the Center, and the money could go a long way toward helping those in need.

“Last year we kind of did it spur of the moment and, in the obituary for Patsy, asked to please make donations to the Polk County Mission,” Wilson said. “This year, we’re going to challenge Polk County to meet us and take what oranges they can, and whatever leftover money, to send so Center of Hope can use however they think is most needed.”

Wilson said the family is hoping to make the citrus drive an annual event, giving something different to the people of Polk County and providing a memorable Christmas. In the past, the Wilsons would donate to charity causes instead of purchasing Christmas gifts for each other.

The family is asking those who would like to participate to tell the Center of Hope “Patsy sent me,” with groceries, produce, checks or cash. The Center of Hope has a few Facebook messages this week encouraging the same. As of press time, $1,000 has been raised.

“The funds that come in specified for this time of year, we add to the food choices for Christmas dinners,” Barber said of Center of Hope’s efforts. “We try to just meet the needs of everyone and it is a hard time of year for a lot of people. We try to make it a little more cheerful.”

The Center’s director said toys for children are also part of the Christmas delivery.

“We don’t purchase, we have had a lot donated. The Hook ‘n Needle Club has crocheted more items and donated toys. Central Baptist has also donated toys, so we won’t purchase any, but we will hand out those
that have been donated. The main thing that we will purchase will just be extra food items, that way, you don’t just get the basics. You will get citrus and you will get stuffing and things that will help meals and spread a little cheer.”

If the Wilsons can reach their goal of $5,000, it would enable the Center of Hope to double the amount of families they reach. They already serve between 550 and 600 families in a month, which feeds 1,600-1,700 individuals.

“It just does your heart good to have people reach out,” Barber said. “Not just this group, but we have had food drives from the probation department, from the Montessori school, from different churches and Pedigo’s. The community just comes together and we live in a great community. It still always just warms your heart to see how many
people want to help in whatever way they can for the season.”

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By Emily Banks Wooten

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The Polk County Emergency Health Board (PCEHB) is a 501(c)3 organization that was established in 1986 to assist low-come (by federal guidelines) children and families with acute illnesses requiring immediate attention.

“What a year it has been as so many changes have happened to everyone because of the pandemic. Unfortunately, we have been unable to schedule our annual shrimp boil fundraiser at the Cochran-Hughes Ranch, but we’re hoping to have a Spring 2022 shrimp boil and we want to let you know that we’re still reaching out to those who need critical medical assistance, especially with medications, medical supplies and/or gas to get to medical appointments,” PCEHB President John Muzny said.

“We continue to need your financial support for those who have limited financial resources and little or no family support for medical essentials that are often life threatening,” Muzny said.

Six hundred patients were served in 2018 at an average cost per patient of $42.47. Six hundred eighty-two patients were served in 2019 at an average cost per patient of $31.85. In 2020 only 431 patients were served at an average cost per patient of $26.49.

The social work staff and volunteers at the Department of State Health Services screen the applicants, who are referred primarily by other agencies, churches, school personnel, hospital staff and the Polk County Indigent Program. Many applicants are also referred to other programs and clinics, such as the Health Center of Southeast Texas in Livingston. Most of the families served do not qualify for government programs or may receive only limited benefits.

Medication is the primary request, with transportation assistance running second. If a child is in need, the prescription is filled and the family is given assistance in filling out a Medicaid or CHIP application. Often it is necessary to limit assistance to adults, as their medications are so expensive.

Muzny gave the following examples of Polk County residents who have been helped by PCEHB during the past year:

• A mother who is taking care of a young adult son with a brain tumor called for help as the doctor had prescribed new medications and they could not afford the insurance co-pays.

• A single adult with disabilities needed multiple medications (including mental health meds) and had reached indigent program limits for the month.

• A family needed assistance to pay for medications for a special needs child as his father had contracted COVID and lost his job, including his insurance.

• A senior couple with disabilities and on a limited income just lost their son to COVID and no longer had help with paying for medications (including insulin and diabetic supplies).

A widowed grandmother who is the guardian of three grandchildren needed help to buy medications after an emergency room visit so that she could continue caring for them with no disruptions.

“The telephone calls to PCEHB volunteers may come as a last resort from a family member, caregiver, social worker, home health or hospital staff, but all are reaching out to find assistance for patients who are often in a crisis situation and have no other options to obtain needed medications,” Muzny said.

“We all want to do our part in making the community that we share a better place. We want to continue providing medical assistance and referral services to help them avoid the ER, saving money for everyone. Because volunteers provide needed services, only minimal administrative costs for mailings are needed for this program,” Muzny said.

“A gift of love to PCEHB from your heart to the hearts of those who desperately need it is so precious to out Polk County neighbors. Where does the love go? It is in the bottle of medications that you provide, in the gas to get to medical appointments, in the medical supplies to bind an open would, and in the sharing of our blessings with those who not only need our help, but hope and a future,” Muzny said.

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GRATITUDE DISPLAYED Volunteers with the Families And Individuals Thanking Heroes (F.A.I.T.H.) Military Support Group were pleased recently to receive this picture and email from some of the heroes who have received care packages from the group. The email said, “Good afternoon. Thank you for all the care packages you have sent! It means the world to us. There was a day last week where we were out working and missed breakfast and lunch. Those care packages came in handy so much that day! Thank you for your support.” Courtesy photo

From Enterprise Staff

The Families And Individuals Thanking Heroes (F.A.I.T.H.) Military Support Group will gather to pack care packages for members of the military at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 4 in the parking lot of Livingston Physical Therapy at 305 W. Mill St. and is seeking volunteers to come out and help. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

The group gathers to pack boxes on the second Thursday of every month except December when it meets on the first Saturday morning so the heroes may receive two packages in time for Christmas. They start with prayer and announcements and then begin packing the care packages which usually takes about an hour.

F.A.I.T.H. was formed in June 2006 to provide encouragement and support to military personnel while they are away from home. Each person on the list has a tie to Polk County, as each person’s address has been given to the group by someone locally. But not all heroes are from Polk County. The list includes all branches of the military and since 2006, F.A.I.T.H. has shipped more than 23,000 care packages to the troops.

A charitable 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the volunteers are individuals from the community showing respect to the men and women serving the country, as well as local church groups, service organizations, youth groups from various schools and the Livingston High School NNDCC (ROTC).

Since starting, only two months of sending packages have been missed -- once when Hurricane Ike came through Livingston and once during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the shortage of supplies.

Packed with love and support, the care packages contain Hormel meats and soup, peanut butter, snacks, hygiene items and various goodies to keep their energy and spirits up while they are away. The group tries to include as much protein as possible each month.

Postage for the care packages costs $17.80 for large overseas boxes and $13.75 for the medium domestic boxes, plus the cost of the products. The group is currently sending an average of 125 boxes per month. The average monthly postage cost is approximately $2,100. Although the community contributes items for the packages, additional items to supplement it are still needed. Approximately $2,400 per month is typically spent for the additional items, bringing the total to $4,500 per month. Expenses include postage, care package supplies and labels. All administrative tasks are donated. One hundred percent of all donations are spent on the care packages and postage.

Delivery of items and cash donations are taken at the Livingston Physical Therapy office at 305 W. Mill St. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and from 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays. The office is closed for lunch daily from noon until 1 p.m.