Message from Margo Nielsen, Rockwall Helping Hands

Margo Nielsen

ROCKWALL COUNTY (January 24, 2014) I can’t believe another year has passed – and so quickly.  But then, the days at Helping Hands are blurred because we have so many things going on each day. The latest event was the Board of Directors’ annual retreat.

We reviewed the 2014 projected budget of almost 2.4 million dollars, the same as 2013.

At the end of December we had 25 days of cash on hand and posted a 16% administration and fundraising cost for 2013.  That means that 84% of our dollars were spent on programs serving our clients and patients. Revenue sources were divided at 42% from contributions and grants, 37% from Thrift Store sales, 18% from Health Center fees and 3% from building rents.  We are proud of our broad base of community support that contributes to the agency’s financial stability.

The Health Center had an active year, serving more than 4,500 individuals of which 1,900 were new patients.  Our three mid-level providers conducted almost 7,000 office visits, not including lab tests and vaccines.

Volunteers and employees in the Assistance and Referral Program were busy, too.  They reported providing assistance to 3,627 unique clients during the year, giving out almost 25,000 bags of food, and providing toys for 1,045 children in 390 families.  Thanksgiving Food Baskets were distributed to 306 families and school supplies were provided for 196 children.

All of this was accomplished only because of your support.  Without donors like you,  an older woman named “Mary” would still be without a medical home she needs to manage her chronic conditions and “Tom”, who is now in transitional housing in Dallas – warm and dry for a change,  might still be suffering from ant bites he got while sleeping in his tent.

On behalf of Mary and Tom and the other thousands of people we helped this year, I thank you and wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year.

~ Margo Nielsen, Executive Director

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