Over 100 of Reba’s Ranch House volunteers gathered together for the Annual Volunteer and Meal Ministry Award Luncheon. The event was originally launched following the creation of the prestigious Betty Holland Service Award. This year’s Betty Holland Award recipient was Kimberly McKiddy. As an RRH Morning Volunteer, Kimberly makes our kitchen welcoming and warm. She not only assures coffee is brewing, but makes warm cinnamon rolls and hot meals. She is always finding better ways to serve our familes as well, like adding to-go coffee cups and breakfast bags for those in a hurry to get back to the hospital. She works tirelessly and smiles effortlessly. Kimberly follows past recipients including Betty Holland, Ron Ballou, Billy Langley, Sonnie Estes and Martha Nuckles.
The award was named after Betty Holland who seldom missed a day at the Ranch House since it first opened its doors in 1992. After 20 years of service, Betty retired from her volunteer position at the age of 92. This award was launched and presented to Betty in 2012.
Reba’s Ranch House volunteers help us greet guests, deliver meals, keep our pantry full, hold fundraising events and take on special projects.
Mary Hamel received The Meal Ministry Award. Meal Ministry volunteers give of their time, deliver groceries and prepare meals – bringing comforts of home to our families. One of our RRH guests shared, “Thank you all for making this stressful time easier. Please express my gratitude to all the Churches and organizations who brought food!”
Director, Marilyn Bice and RRH Guest Relations, Susan Hooper presented Carol Brownlee with the Room for Hope Volunteer of the Year Award. Carol has invested countless hours making handmade totems to raise dollars for the Room and coming up with creative and new ideas for us to grow and care for those facing cancer.
Ruiz Food and Tate’s Cleaning also received Awards. Ruiz was recognized with the RRH Community Organization Award for their time devoted to holding fundraising events, making hundreds of handmade hats for our Room for Hope and for their continued financial support.
Tate’s Cleaning received the Friend of Reba’s Ranch House Award for going above and beyond to help fulfill our mission. Tate’s Cleaning not only keeps our house beautiful, they do so with passion, a smile and true care for our guests.
Other honorees included the Grayson County Co-Op. students who help clean the sidewalks, make beds and do laundry as part of their life skills class. “Grayson Co-Op” brings joy to staff every day they serve. In addition, the 2017 Intern of the Year Award was given to Austin College student, Alex Haj. Lemming shared that interns have been a critical component of THF since the foundation was created in 2007 and Alex exemplifies hard work, character and heart.
In addition to awards, Chairman Brett Graham distributed a special, personal gift from Reba for each recipient.
Reba’s Ranch House is one of six core projects of the Texoma Health Foundation. This last year THF gave over $1.3 million in nonprofit grants and support of RRH, just under a million to support the building of the THF Park and just under $250,000 in private donations from families for a total of $2.25 million. In addition, THF is proud to administer the Reba McEntire Fund supporting those in need across the US and world.
We call the Ranch House the heart of THF. “We could not do what we do at the level we do it without our volunteers”, said Chairman, Brett Graham. “They make our house a home”.