On behalf of the Board and Friends Of Cinco Charities, I want to thank our loyal supporters for helping us achieve some wonderful goals this year. Our sphere of support continues to expand with each fund-raising event, networking opportunity, as well as the new relationships we have developed in the Katy Medical arena.
2011 has been an exciting, yet challenging year for the Charity.
We are extremely thankful to MD Anderson for honoring us with a $5000 operations grant to assist in our mission of providing temporary housing in the Katy area for individuals & their families when receiving treatment for life threatening illnesses. The Board toured the Katy MD Anderson Medical facility and were truly amazed.. We have a group of the finest Drs & staff, first rate cutting edge medical equipment, & unprecedented opportunity for diagnosis & treatment at our fingertips… A couple of the Drs. shared with us how Cinco Charities truly is making a difference for their patients-some who would not have been able to come to receive their treatments had it not been for Cinco Charities Housing options..
With the opening of the new hospitals we have experienced a significant increase in the number of patients requesting housing assistance. The volume has more than doubled since last year. We have had the opportunity to assist 40 families so far this year, and have no idea how that number will look by the year’s end. One of the challenges has been, because of our limited budget, we have had to limit the number of days we can assist each patient with housing & many of them have extended periods of treatment which calls for weeks -not days of need. Local hotels & Extended Stay Suites around Katy have been excellent to work with us housing our guest.
We have been patiently, and sometimes impatiently waiting, seeking an opportunity to purchase land, or even better- have land donated to build our Cinco Charities House.. In the midst of our efforts -actively seeking our land –which we believed would be our next step– we had a divine appointment. Dr Sunil Patel, one of the leading Oncologist in Katy, told one of his cancer patients about Cinco Charities-she contacted us–offered us the use of a sweet 3 bed room home for our guest – close to the Hospitals–furnished it beautifully-and handed us the keys. Talk about the gift of hospitality, this amazing lady while fighting her own battle, was thinking of others who might not even be able to come for their treatment. We are humbled & forever thankful for this this generous gift. This will allow us the opportunity to be more flexible with the days we can assist our guest-an answer to prayer.
September 1st about 50 of Cinco Charities friends & friends of Monty & Erin Ballard, our generous donors, gathered at our new “Starter Home “ for an Open House celebration. In the midst of a toast, that this home will be a blessing to numerous families over the next year, Monty made a declaration which brought tears to our eyes & joy to our hearts. He pledged $1.5 million for the building of our Dream Home–one that will house 12 to 15 families- be a safe, warm inviting “home away from home” for patients who will come to the Katy area seeking medical treatment. Monty & Erin are outstanding examples of the giving spirit alive in Katy.
Exciting days are ahead for Cinco Charities & the community of Katy as we move forward with our own Hospital Hospitality House. Stay tuned- I am believing our next update will be to announce the location-Yes, we believe our land is in sight.
As a non profit, we operate solely on donations and grants. We ask that you please consider making Cinco Charities, your charity of choice either as an individual or corporate supporter. Thanks for visiting our website to find out how you can make a difference.
Ginger Hopper, Chair