It was a surprise party at the Stephens Central Library yesterday evening. City officials, area organizations and supporters gathered to witness a total of $150,000 given to 14 unsuspecting area organizations by the San Angelo Health Foundation in celebration of 20 years of the foundation's service to the San Angelo community. Mike Boyd and the Health Foundation's Board of Trustees indicated they felt it appropriate to fund unsolicited grants to organizations that actively help the community in a surprise fashion at the celebration.
“We’ve been pretty low key about who we award our grants to,” said Tom Early, President of the SAHF since 1996. “When the 20th anniversary was coming up, we decided to do something to commemorate it. As we talked it through we thought a fun way to do that would be to give each trustee some money and they picked the organizations they wanted to give it to. Giving out funds is what we are all about so what better way to mark our anniversary than doing what we do best? It’s a very big milestone for us, because we have now given out more than what we started with.”
"Paying it forward" is the mission of the SAHF over its 20-year history, granting over $44 million dollars in funds to non-profit organizations exclusive to the Concho Valley. The foundation started out with a little under $43 million dollars created from the proceeds of the sale of Angelo Community Hospital in 1995, and made possible through Myrtle Williams Estate. Ms. Williams had the generosity and desire to increase the quality of health care for the citizens of San Angelo. Those proceeds acted as a springboard for the SAHF to jump start the foundation, which in turn has helped to spawn others with the same "pay it forward" mentality.
“We have given seed funding to Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Young Life San Angelo are three that come to mind when talking about organizations that wouldn’t be here had we not stepped up and helped them,” said Early. “We try to provide some resources for either new organizations or for new programs within existing organizations, as well as helping with infrastructure issues like the library or the performing arts center.”
Many success stories have been made out of the contributions the SAHF has made. A short film was presented during the celebration featuring four local organizations that have been impacted most by the SAHF; ASU, Sagecrest Alzheimer’s Center, West Texas Rehabilitation Center, and the House of Faith.
Poster board-sized pictures lined the room depecting examples of the foundations success in helping area organizations. A shiny new fire truck for the Christoval VFD and extended facilities and equipment for East Concho VFD. were proudly displayed. "This last year we needed more room and so they gave us more funds to add on to our building," said Fire Chief Dennis Thompson of the East Concho VFD. "We started the fire department in my barn behind my house," he said as he described how firefighting has become family business. "My son lives out of town, but we still keep his gear and when he is here, he's ready to fight fires like the rest of us. The SAHF has taken us a long way from that barn and we couldn't be more appreciative."
As of 2014 the foundation has contributed millions to many types of causes, the big three being: $9,301,081 to educational institutions, $8,509,487 for health and rehabilitative purposes and $7,021,974 to human services. All of the monies donated has stayed in the Concho Valley, benefiting non-profits that pay it forward to the community in some form or fashion.
Organizations that received the surprise donations were: ASU Nursing Department, Adult Literacy Council, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council for the Concho Valley, Adult Enrichment Center, Boys and Girls Club of San Angelo, Childrens Advocacy Center, Concho Valley Home for Girls, Garden of Hope, Hospice of San Angelo, House of Faith, Laura Bush Institute, Meals for the Eldery, Tom Green County Library, and Young Life San Angelo.
Mike Boyd gave special thanks to Tom Early. "Without his efforts through the years none of this would be successful. He has done an outstanding job, for all ther former trustees and current, help me again thank him," Boyd said as the audience filled the room with applause.
Tom Early acknowledged the hard work and team work it has taken from the community and individuals in the Concho Valley before closing the celebration with two quotes from two influential people in history.
“The time is always right to do what is right.” —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“How wonderful it is to start doing good at this moment.” —Anne Frank
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