A note about our upcoming meeting….
Dear Board Members,
The start of our fall program cycle feels a lot like a new beginning. There’s fresh energy as we focus on supporting our participants, welcoming new registrations, and connecting with our partner organizations to plan meaningful services in the months ahead.
Autumn itself reminds us of the beauty of change. The leaves begin to turn, the air grows crisp, and even as summer warmth lingers, whispers of snow are never far behind. Just as the season gently prepares the earth for spring, this new cycle gives us the chance to nurture hope, growth, and renewal in the lives we serve.
June & July at a Glance:
Secured $1,000 from William O. & Louise H. Mullins Foundation – our first-ever award from them
Received $2,600 from Ned O. & Linda Miller Foundation
Submitted a $10,000 request to Women’s Philanthropy Fund (June 2025)
Preparing new applications: Women’s Circle, Esther Heit Foundation, JDR Foundation
Note: Amarillo Area Foundation discretionary grant (Road to Hope) did not advance
Worked with Mariana to relaunch HHP Gatherings for the past participants, as well as our Grief Remembrance Cards
Ordered some branded booklets from Quality-of-Life Publishing for our First Step Packets
Restructuring our program surveys includes pre-service, end of program, and 1 year post-program.
📈 Grant Budget Update
We’ve now secured $83,850 or 60% of our total grant goal of $140,000 for the year!
Please note that the purpose of this page is to allow you to review agenda items before the meeting and submit your questions, comments, and concerns in advance, ensuring we have sufficient information prepared to address each item. You are not submitting your vote before the meeting.
In preparation for the meeting, please:
Review the Proposed Meeting Agenda (* indicates a vote is needed at the meeting)
Scroll down and pay close attention to each Pre-Read section (each section is no more than a 3-minute read).
Review the votes we plan on taking during the Meeting.
Add any thoughts or questions in advance using the comments section at the bottom of the page. Note that the team will only address the questions submitted based on your review of the materials, so it's important to share your insights beforehand.
We aim to maximize our time by thoroughly discussing each committee's business. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take the time to think through your questions beforehand.
Additional Resources:
Our Teams Channel is always available to you. This is where we generate our virtual calls and file electronic documents - such as board orientation, financials, board and staff contact lists, and meeting details. Click here to access our HHP Shared Calendar.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to a lively and productive meeting!
Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Be sure to let us know if you are unable to attend the meeting.
Unable to attend in person, but can attend virtually? Let Candice or Sabrina know and attend our meeting via TEAMS.
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 226 199 680 424
Passcode: XP7Va3Nr
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Sabrina Perez will offer this months blessing.
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Review the minutes in the link at the bottom of the page,
Once you have read through ALL of the sections, submit any corrections you see, along with any other questions or concerns from the financials, and pre-read sections by 8 am the morning of the meeting.
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Staff will address comments about their reports using the link provided in the pre-read sections.
Once you have read through ALL of the sections, submit any corrections you see, along with any other questions or concerns from the financials, and pre-read sections by 8 am the morning of the meeting.
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Heartfelt moments within our walls and/or Board-Led Community Engagements
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Good to Great Discussion: Issue 5
-Sabrina
Sabrina will share updates from our most recent Road to Hope meeting.
-Builder Bid Invitations
Executive Committee Nominations & Term Review
Your commitment means a lot to HHP!
We’re thankful that you use your time, talent and treasure to support the mission of HHP!
-Time: Serve at a minimum of 2 Events.
-Talent: Which can translate to both time & treasure. Use your strengths and connections to support us!
-Treasure: Be it a direct donation; introduction to a community partner; making the ask yourself; or hosting a shop or dine and donations.
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*Approval of financials
-Linked in the Finance Report portion of this page.
Once you have read through ALL of the sections, submit any corrections you see, along with any other questions or concerns from the financials, and pre-read sections by 8 am the morning of the meeting.
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Rests for the month of August
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Upcoming event:
Wings of Hope: 9/6
TBC: 10/7
-Competitors
-WMC Items
-VIP Tables
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Moment of Hope
Heartfelt moments within our walls and Board-Led Community Engagements
You are not alone.........
I know this is a huge impression we try and convey to our families when they come to HHP. We don’t want them to feel alone in their grief because they now have us and the other families walking through feelings of grief that soon become extended family to each of our participants in their back pockets. Working with grieving families through support groups is a niche type of job, so it’s not like I can just call anyone up and ask for advice or help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing Becky and I to attend Dr. Wolfelt’s Companioning Counseling Skills. It was so refreshing for my heart to be around like-minded people from all over the country who do similar work. Never did I ever think grief would be where I landed my career and many others at the conference would say similar things like, “Not sure how I got here, but I wouldn’t change it.” So, thank you for allowing me the privilege to meet and learn from people all over the United States, and the great Dr. Wolfelt so that none of us feel alone in this most important work.
Helping Hearts Heal
Pre-Read | Financial Update
Finance Committee Remarks:
Jerry completed the monthly statement review on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
The current HSB Trust numbers are incorrect. I’ve entered incorrect numbers at some point and need to go back and audit for the error.
ANB updated my CC in June, and some issues were processing the June & July payments. All late fees and interest charges have been reversed, and we’ve adjusted the account number to be paid from the Corporate Control number to my account number, which should correct the AP issue on our end.
Pre-Read | Program Update
HIGHLIGHTS
In the Slow season......sort of
🙌Dr. Wolfelt Conference in Ft. Collins, CO. June 15-19
🙌Hope Camp at the Movies: Completed curriculum , secured Facilitators, hosted first step orientations
Hope Camp breakdown of participants, roughly,
1/3 returning from last summer's camp
1/3 participants from Spring Cycle
1/3 participants registered for the upcoming Fall cycle.
Hope Camp averaged 15 kids per day. July 8-11
🙌 Hosted Camp Alphie Parents and did the support tree activity. July 16
🙌 First session with Esther’s House @ FCM – July 31
LOWLIGHTS
On a sad note.....
7 kids total who were registered for Hope Camp backed out
Quite a few facilitators are taking sabbatical for this Fall cycle that will start in September. I will need to fill multiple facilitator spots
I haven’t had a spare moment to even begin looking at the kids’ curriculum.
KEY INITIATIVES
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Looking at both HP and SOSL participant interest and possible groups starting in Aug/September.
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Taking applications for the Fall Generations Cycle, most likely will need to start a waitlist until I have a better knowledge of how many families, before we are ready to begin the First Step process in September.
Pre-Read | Development Update
HIGHLIGHTS
The Big Cheese, October 7, 2025
At the June Board Meeting, I distributed several TBC-related materials. We are actively recruiting 25 cook-off teams, including school culinary groups.
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Coyote Bluff
Dillo’s
Ye Ole Pancake Station
United Market Street
WT Aramark Catering
YOLO’s
Pescarez
Pork-n-Things
Sunday’s Kitchen
Cheesecake HSTL
Aspen Creek
Macaroni Joe’s
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Kind House
2 Knives Catering
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Spicy Mike’s
That Weird Place
Savor
Palio’s Pizza
Delvin’s
FAV’s
TX Firehouse
Hoffbrau
Girasol
Calico County
Blue Sky (Coulter)
Bubba’s
Six Car Pub
X-Bar Steakhouse
The Brunch Truck
Martha’s
Tank’s Burger
The 806 Fix
The Chicken Coop
Email an update to Cakki about any prospective competitors you’ve reached out to, including their interest, as well as anyone your contacted about Who Moved the Cheese, or VIP tables.
“Building Energy and Connections for a Successful Event”
Decorations: Met with Dollie Henderson (Heath’s wife) to outline clear “dos and don’ts.” A décor committee is being formed to bring the vision to life with minimal stress.
VIP Area: Met with Alexis Bear, who is providing layout ideas and may assist with sponsor outreach.
Junior League Outreach: Hosted a tour for Erin Sprague; she plans to share our event and partnership opportunities with the Junior League board.
Raffle – “Never Cook Again”
Raffle tickets delivered to United Supermarkets’ main office.
United has agreed to:
Help sell raffle tickets
Organize a team to staff the raffle booth during the event
Setup Days
October 6 – Morning Shift (9:00 AM–12:00 PM) at Rex Baxter Building
10 Volunteers
Focus: Event space setup with Heath (heavy lifting required)
Unloading truck, tents, tables, chairs, stage, tubs, etc.
October 6 – Afternoon Shift (1:00 PM–5:00 PM) at Rex Baxter Building
10 Volunteers
Focus: Station setup and light decorating
Who Moved the Cheese, Raffle, VIP, Kids Korner, Check-In, etc.
Please recruit volunteers from your networks!
Clubs, churches, businesses, and organizations welcome.
Next Event – “Wings of Hope”
Location: Memorial Park Gazebo (near Amarillo College)
Park Fee reduced from $1,200 to $300
Volunteer Needs
15 Volunteers needed
Set-Up time: 8:30 AM (event runs 10:00 AM–12:00 PM)
Duties include setup, station support, and teardown
Publicity & Outreach
KAMR: Reached out for PSA coverage of Wings of Hope
Social Media: Please engage with posts (like, share, comment)
NoBox Creative: Working on additional content to highlight event and sponsorship opportunities
Junior League Outreach: Gave HHP tour to Erin Sprague. Positive connection—Erin plans to share event and partnership opportunities with the Junior League board.
Speaking Engagements:
July 14: Spoke at 100 Who Give a Damn – HHP received $1,000
July 24: Presented to Amarillo Ambucs, invited by Mr. Tam Boatler (Randall Co. Commissioner Pct. 4). Opportunity for continued community engagement and fundraising connections
Strategic Fundraising Goals
2025 Strategic Goal: Raise a total of $110,000 through event income
🟢 Progress to Date:
Goal: $80,000 from sponsorships (39% achieved)
-$30,350 raised through 9 sponsor partnerships
Half Marathon Registration Income: $14,421.59 (Budgeted $11,000)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
I'd love your feedback on how to better my approach. Please ensure that you submit your comments so I can provide a thorough response.
Submit your pre-read comments here
Below is a list of items we will vote on during the meeting. Please review the information provided and submit any questions you might have in addition to your pre-read comments using the form.
Questions, concerns, and comments must be submitted by 8 a.m. on the meeting day.
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Please see the links above in the financial preread section.