Sunset Mall Hosts Annual Community Day for Non-Profits

Sunset Mall hosted their annual Community Day on Saturday, Sept. 12, where over 30 organizations hosted booths for the public.

Sabrina Tatsch, Sunset Mall’s Marketing Managaer, said that this is one of the only times during the year that non-profits have the opportunity to be together and showcase their services.  She also noted that it is beneficial for members of the community because the event “gives you the opportunity to see a lot of agencies at one time.”

The opportunity to visit several agencies was exactly why Registered Nurse, Cindy Peevy, attended Community Day. Peevy works for Hospice of San Angelo, who was also represented Saturday, and came to find resources at the Adult Enrichment Center table for her patients that either come off of HOSA’s services or do not qualify for hospice care.

“So many times, our patients come to us and do not yet qualify for our care. I want to try and help them find services that do fit their needs,” said Peevy.

Two other agencies represented at Community Day were New Bridge Family Center and Children’s Hope.

The New Bridge Family Center recently underwent a name change, and unfortunately, there has been some confusion surrounding their services and whether or not their doors are still open.  It was important to Pam Colbert, New Bridge’s Program Director, to have a presence at Community Day to let the community know that they are ready to offer their services to anyone in need.

Colbert emphasized, “We just want the community to know that we are still here and ready to help them in any way we can.”

The New Bridge Family Shelter offers education against domestic violence and is working to help both adult and child victims of abuse cope with their situations. They are currently accepting monetary donations and are in need of volunteers.

Another organization with representatives present was Children’s Hope, a relatively new agency in the Concho Valley.

“We have offices all over Texas, but this office is new to San Angelo,” said Bailey Elhers, the agency’s associate director.

Children’s Hope is an agency seeking foster parents who are willing to care for abused and neglected children. The San Angelo branch is also working to place foster children in permanent homes with adoptive parents.

Allison Pruitt, a senior Social Work major at Angelo State, is currently working with Children’s Hope as in intern. She has become passionate about the organization’s work, and hopes to continue as a full-time employee once she graduates.

Sunset Mall has sponsored Community Day for over a decade, and thanks to Coca-Cola, one of the mall’s sponsor’s, they were able to organize another successful community day this year. The event is only growing, and they hope for an even better turn out next fall.