“It’s wonderful,” Coulter Blunt said of the repairs.
Her mother, Pearlie Coulter, continues to be amazed that people would donate to help them. “It is a great blessing,” she said.
For Josh Stubblefield, the co-leader of Strong’s workday at Coulter Blunt’s home, this was an easy decision. “Helping other people is one of the best things we can do,” he said. “We have the skills, and we have the labor.”
Some members know the impact of getting help. “I was on the receiving end as a kid,” said Seth Peacock. “It’s really life-changing to be able to take something like this and turn it into a livable space.”
Coulter Blunt is one of the recipients of the 27th Statesman Season for Caring program. Since November, the community has come together to give their neighbors $1,549,428 in monetary donations and $216,199 in in-kind donations for a total of $1,765,627. This season was the best ever, beating the 2021-22 year by almost $7,000.
Since 1999, the program has raised $23.5 million for local nonprofits. All of the monetary donations are distributed in grants through the Austin Community Foundation.
The agencies use the grants to help their featured families first, and then help hundreds of other families throughout the year with rent, medical bills, utility bills, transportation, groceries and other basic needs.
“Season for Caring is regarded as an amazing service by our patients and families,” wrote Herb Dyer, Hospice Austin CEO, in a thank-you note to the Statesman.
Communities In Schools CEO Sharon Vigil echoed that sentiment: “Season for Caring has been truly life-changing for our family. We are so grateful.”
The success of this Season for Caring was spurred by a $500,000 matching donation by community member Brian Sheth. Pat Munday donated another $500,000. Other big donations came from James Mitchell, $50,000; Cathy and Mike Godfrey, $24,000; Nyle and Nancy Maxwell, $20,000; Ross Moody, $15,000; David Heitt, $12,000; Daniel and Peggy Kellan, $12,000; and Debby and Steve Oatman, $10,000. Hundreds of people gave as they could — $25, $100, $250, $1,000 and other amounts — to be part of the community of donors.
While the Season for Caring impact will be felt throughout the year by neighbors around Central Texas, the featured families have enjoyed immediate changes to their lives. Here is the difference the community has made:
Adriana and Isiah Alaniz, who have a 1-year-old son, Elijah, with a rare genetic disorder, and daughter Aubrey, 4, who has autism, received many things on their wish list, including adaptable seating for Elijah provided by Greater Texas Credit Union. Any Baby Can, 512-454-3743, anybabycan.org.
The Babrakzai family from Afghanistan had many things on their wish list taken care of by Grisham Middle School. Hutto Premiere Dentistry also helped with items on their list. Season for Caring funds will help them pay off their travel loan and gas money to get to San Antonio, where daughter Madina undergoes burn treatments. Interfaith Action of Central Texas, 512-386-9145, interfaithtexas.org.
In addition to the home repairs, Coulter Blunt, 52, received a gently used truck, which has given her peace of mind after not having her own car for more than a year. Firehouse treated her 12-year-old German shepherd, who is no longer incontinent and has less arthritis pain. Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, 512-541-4226, myhaam.org
Julie Freeman, 60, a grandmother who is raising her five grandchildren and has breast cancer and emphysema, was able to give her grandchildren an amazing holiday. Funds will help her daughter finish her degree and keep the family in secure housing. Breast Cancer Resource Center, 512-240-2560, bcrc.org.
Amy Lopez, who had been homeless with her four children, is in an even better apartment with the help of Season for Caring funds. She was able to work on improving her credit and create a plan to save for a house with the help of University Federal Credit Union. Foundation for the Homeless, 512-453-6570, foundationhomeless.org.
Jennifer Maldonado, who lost her husband to cancer in September, will have a new ramp put on her Bastrop home by the Texas Ramp Project. Westminster Presbyterian Church provided the family with H-E-B gift cards for Christmas. Hospice Austin has been using funds to help with gas to get to her leukemia treatments in Austin. The agency also is looking into doing driveway and car repairs for the family. Hospice Austin, 512-342-4700, hospiceaustin.org.
Kimberly Ysla and Charlie Medina had struggled financially after his work-related back injury. They were able to meet with University Federal Credit Union to help them make a plan for owning a home for their five children. Many of their holiday wish list items were delivered. Foundation Communities, 512-447-2026, foundcom.org.
Sylvia Reyna, 69, and Janie Farias, 71, from San Marcos received a motorized scooter to help Farias, who lost her right leg after a failed knee replacement. Community Action Inc. is helping Farias get a prosthetic leg and physical therapy, as well as covering the couple’s medical bills. Their dogs benefited from the checkup at Firehouse and subsequent dental care. Community Action Inc. of Central Texas, 512-392-1161, communityaction.com.
Charles David Wicks, 66, who had been homeless after having foot injuries while working at the airport, now has an electric scooter. His agency is working with the Housing Authority of Austin to get him into a more accessible apartment. Christmas was the first time in more than a decade that Wicks had had presents to unwrap for the holiday. Family Eldercare, 512-450-0844, familyeldercare.org.
The Statesman is sharing the stories of all 12 Season for Caring families through Jan. 31. Find more stories at statesman.com/seasonforcaring.
You can continue to donate online throughout the year or mail checks to Austin Community Foundation, c/o Statesman Season for Caring, 4315 Guadalupe St., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751. Make checks payable to “Statesman Season for Caring.”