Although the Rotary Club of Hondo-D’Hanis, like so many other organizations during the coronavirus outbreak, could not meet “in person,” its members continued their hard work to make a difference in the lives of many in the community.
A recently appointed Club sub-committee composed of Jim Danner, Cynthia Prieto, Johnette Dixon, Russ Renaud and chaired by Kim Davis, met – using safe distancing guidelines – and outlined the threefold areas of focus which included:
- First responder’s acknowledgement
- Relief to families in financial need
- Assistance to local restaurants
In addition to funds provided by the Club, funds in the amount of $2700 provided by Vulcan Materials Company in Medina County covered 333 meals for first responders. Total amount of the entire three-part project was $7500.
According to sub-committee chair Kim Davis, the first goal of showing appreciation for first-responders was accomplished by partnering with El Azteca Restaurant in Hondo and Vulcan Materials to provide meals -- an enchilada plate with all the usual sides – to 333 first responders consisting of Median County Sheriff’s Office and Jail Personnel, two Hondo Police Department locations, D’Hanis Volunteer Fire Department, Hondo Volunteer Fire Company; and staff members of the Hondo Independent School District Food Services Department, Medina Regional Hospital Emergency Room and Clinic, Medina County Health Unit, and Hondo Public Works Department. Each meal included a thank-you card and information about our Rotary Club of Hondo-D’Hanis. These meals were delivered to the first responders’ work locations and Rotarians arrived at the scheduled times to greet, welcome and thank them. Many of our Club Rotarians contributed many hours to make this a huge success.
To respond to families in financial need, Kim Davis said, “We (the committee) worked to identify 70 families in Hondo who have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic, through furlough, loss of job or loss of hours. We sent them a letter with a $50 gift card to either HEB or Walmart. All total, we purchased 80 cards and HEB donated two more for the project. We held 12 cards back initially to locate 12 additional families in dire need.
Finally, to assist local restaurants, the Club purchased a single $25 gift card from every eatery (32 gift cards) between Hondo and D’Hanis and are working with the Hondo Area Chamber of Commerce, under Chamber Director and Rotarian Heather Curtsinger, to give these away through weekly Friday drawings. Kim Davis noted, “We are using this (not only) as a means of supporting our struggling local businesses but as a way to promote our Rotary Facebook page and let people know about the great things our Rotary Club of Hondo-D’Hanis does”. Those who consider liking our Facebook page and their friends who do the same will be entered in the weekly drawing to win a restaurant gift card. This is going on for 8 weeks with 4 winners each week for 8 weeks until the 32 cards we purchased have all been won.
Kim Davis concluded, “Regarding those who worked directly on the community aid COVID-19 project and engaged in fundraising all year, and because of their efforts, we were able to have the funds which enabled us to reach out and help during this pandemic and truly make a difference in Hondo and D’Hanis.