Building for the Future
(ROCKWALL, TX – May 7, 2015) After three months of planning and labor, the Leadership Rockwall Class of 2015 unveiled the newly-renovated offices of Meals and Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County. The public reveal and ribbon cutting included tours of the MOWSS building, which is located on the Helping Hands campus at950 Williams St.in Rockwall.
Thanks to the LR Class of 2015 – along with generous donors, sponsors and volunteers – the completion of the project will have a significant impact on MOWSS’ ability to better serve the community’s growing senior population.
“We can’t thank the Leadership Rockwall Class of 2015 enough for choosing Meals on Wheels as its service project,” said MOWSS Executive Director Margie VerHagen at the April 9th celebration. “So much planning and labor has been put into this building over the past three months. It’s amazing how the community came together and donated to make this possible.”
After 11 years of serving the county’s elderly and disabled from Building C, Suite200 on the Helping Hands property, the structure had reached such a high level of deterioration that Helping Hands would have had no other alternative but to tear it down, forcing MOWSS to relocate and pay a much higher rent per month. That is, until Leadership Rockwall decided to help fix it up.
Every year Leadership Rockwall selects a major service project based on needs within the community, and the condition of the MOWSS building made it an obvious choice. The LR Class of 2015 helped raise $20,000 for the project from individuals and organizations. In-kind contributions from organizations totaled an additional $30,000 to complete the renovations and save MOWSS close to $90,000 over the next three years.
“John Howe with ABH Roofing and Construction acted as the general contractor for this project. John was a huge help to our Leadership Class throughout the entire process. He is a skilled contractor and a great guy,” said Holly Lyons, LR member and co-owner of Lyons Air Conditioning and Heating.
The MOWSS facility saw repairs to its structural problems courtesy of Williamson Foundation Repair, and the testing of mold by All-Mold Pro. Milestone Electric replaced faulty and disheveled sockets, and made updates to the electrical wiring and light fixtures. Total Plumbing provided an updated water heater and a re-plumb of the men’s restroom.
The extermination of rodents living within the building, exclusion work and gravel was donated by Stronghold Pest Control. A re-duct, tune-ups to the heating and cooling systems, and two new thermostats were added byLyonsAir Conditioning and Heating. Pk FloorUSAprovided new carpeting, while the Rockwall Police Officer’s Association paid for the carpet installation. Steam Pro Carpet Cleaning will provide future carpet stain removal.
Modern Woodmen donated funds to purchase the wood that ABH used to build the back porch. ABH also painted the interior and exterior of the building with Behr paint donated by Home Depot Rockwall.
According to VerHagen, the results could not have been any better.
“We are so excited because today it’s like walking into a brand new building,” she said. “We’re going to be able to hold our volunteer training here every month; we’re going to be able to have meetings in the back, and just do a lot more. Not having to move is going to really help this program save so much money.”
As guest speaker, Congressman and former Heath Mayor John Ratcliffe congratulated Meals on Wheels on its new headquarters and expressed his appreciation for the services the organization provides to the community’s senior citizens.
“When I was the mayor I had the chance to participate in a Meals on Wheels project, and it’s one of the most rewarding things that I’ve ever had the opportunity to do,” Ratcliffe said. “I can tell you from participating firsthand that another important factor – with respect to the services Meals on Wheels provides – is the human interaction and companionship that comes from the folks delivering meals. These are vitally important services for people who are so deserving in our community.”
‘Make More Happen’
Your vote can help Meals on Wheels win up to $10,000
April English, co-owner of English Insurance and member of LR Class of 2015, took the stage to announce that Leadership Rockwall recently had the opportunity – on behalf of English Insurance and through Safeco Insurance – to enter Meals on Wheels into a contest called “Make More Happen.”
With over 100 applications submitted across the country, MOWSS was one of 33 nonprofit organizations selected to receive a $3,000 donation by Safeco Insurance.
Now the public can help win an additional $10,000 for MOWSS. This phase of the contest features the 33 insurance agencies that were selected for the Make More Happen Award and the nonprofits they support. All 33 charities could end up with an additional $500 from Safeco, if a goal of 28,000 votes is reached. And the three teams with the most votes win additional money for the charities: $10,000, $5,000 or $3,000. Voting runs through May 18.
To vote, go to: safeco.com/about-safeco/community/make-more-happen-vote.
Leadership Rockwall Class of 2015
Graduation ceremonies for LR Class of 2015 will be Wednesday, May 20 at Liberty Hall located at the Rockwall County Courthouse. Members are: Kirk Aldridge, Scott Baker, Jim Bess, David Billings, April English, Lance Holmes, Jayson Killough, Rich Krause, Chris Kosterman, Holly Lyons, Kathleen Moreno, Katy Miller, Sheri Nerren, Tim Nichols, Mark Russo, Will Rugeley, Margie VerHagen, and David White. Class Advisors are Cindy Tayem, Darby Burkey, and Lea Ann Ewing.
Story and photos by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News reporter.
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