News
November 2018 Update
Shining the Light of Hope on a Black Friday
NOV. 23 (BLACK FRIDAY) 5-10 PM DALE’S ESSENHAUS WALBURG, TX
Cancer patients face a long road to recovery, but many Texans are finding it hard even to find a suitable ride to the treatment hospital. The right kind of ride is especially important because the treatment procedures often leave the patient weak and disoriented. Problems in transportation are well-documented in Central Texas, and for those patients who have but few good options to consider, the need is urgent.
Funding cancer research is a noble and essential act, yet some supporters might also want to consider a direct way to help the afflicted who live among them. Driving Hope of Texas is raising funds to deploy a specialized transportation van to serve cancer patients living in rural Texas. They are sponsoring The Glimmer of Hope Benefit on Friday, November 23 from 5 to 10 p.m. in the Williamson County community of Walburg just north of Georgetown.
The day after Thanksgiving is commonly called Black Friday. This year in this quaint little town of Walburg, the day will be remade into a holiday of dazzling light and undimmed hope. The Glimmer of Hope benefit will feature a spectacular display of personalized luminaries that will honor those who are fighting cancer as well as memorialize those who have fought and lost the battle. The event will be an appropriate post-Thanksgiving benediction as well as a brilliant launch to the Christmas season.
Driving Hope of Texas is a not-for-profit startup service based in Bell County. The organization aims to provide safe, comfortable, and affordable non- emergency long-distance transportation for the many cancer patients living in underserved communities in the Heart of Texas. They are poised to launch their initial route as soon as a van can be purchased and made ready. The vehicle will be outfitted in a way that will provide a higher degree of safety and comfort than other options available to these patients and their caregivers. Donations in support of the van will keep transportation affordable for the families who are already strapped by high medical expenses.
Central Texans are invited to come to Dale’s Essenhaus in Walburg on November 23 to eat, dance, and enjoy the display of luminaries. Tickets to the benefit are just $25 and include a BBQ plate (with sides) and a dance featuring The Pure Country Band. A cornhole tournament will add to the fun.
Shoppers will have the chance to pick up Christmas gifts, as both live and silent auctions will feature many unique items. Few Black Friday deals are as satisfying as simply helping another human being in need.
Pre-sales of personalized luminaries will allow cancer warriors of all types to add one to the display in honor or in memory of one who has fought in the battle. A single luminaria will cost $25; multiples are $20 each. Driving Hope will maintain the display for use at future events in support of cancer awareness.
Special auction items are needed. More information on making donations, the details of the benefit, and facts about the transportation service itself can be found at <drivinghopetexas.org> or email <info@drivinghopetexas.org>.
August 2018 Update
See what we have been up to:
- We have received our affirmation letter from the IRS. We are officially a tax-exempt organization. We also have been awarded a Bronze Star from Guidestar, an organization that monitors charitable organizations.
- A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to gather funds set aside for the first van. Please share this link as widely as you can.
- We are also set up to collect donations on Facebook, PayPal, and eBay. Why not use your birthday as an opportunity to raise funds for a van among your contacts on Facebook?
- We have completed the application for an LWML national grant. We will know early next year if we are an awardee.
- In the meantime, we have an investment prospectus prepared for anyone who can help advance our timeline to get wheels on the road. Contact us if you have $5,000 in a low yield bank savings account that you would be willing to risk loaning to Driving Hope.
- We are now owners of the drivinghope.us domain name. The additional name helps express our desire to replicate this service to other underserved areas in the country. Currently, the weblink takes one to this drivinghopetexas.org website.