Update: the 2006 Season for Caring has again demonstrated the incredible generosity of the Central Texas community
The People's Community Clinic was fortunate this year to have one of our patient families, the Tolbert family, selected as a beneficiary of the Austin American Statesman’s 2006 Season for Caring campaign. The annual campaign offers newspaper readers an opportunity to learn the life stories of twelve families in need. Their stories were uniformly ones of deep financial challenge, often as a result of being uninsured at a time of a medical crisis. Yet these stories also illustrated these families' strength, hard work and perseverance.
The Central Texas community responded generously, providing items and support of all kinds in answer to the needs of their neighbors.
The Tolbert family: (front, l-to-r) Johnathon and Jonikqua
(back l-to-r) Edward, Douglas and Nancy Mays-Tolbert
The Tolbert family was no exception to this community generosity; as a result of this year’s campaign, they have received extensive home repair, medical equipment and even a van equipped with a lift, which will allow the family to travel with their disabled grandson, Douglas.
Donors who gave in-kind items often expressed that some element of the Tolbert family story resonated with their own similar experience. Sometime it was the difficulty of providing care to a loved one with a chronic illness or disability. Other donors understood how important encouragement is to a young artist in pursuing a creative endeavor, in addition to the necessary supplies. Other important gifts received included warm clothing, handmade furniture, musical instruments and fun toys for the children.
Mrs. Tolbert received each gift with a look of disbelief and gratitude, saying “Isn’t this wonderful?” over and over. Having long served the community as foster parents and respite caregivers to parents with severely disabled children, Mrs. Tolbert describes their experience with Season for Caring as a “coming back” of their own generosity.
People’s Community Clinic was delighted to facilitate such a warm
and positive exchange between the Tolberts and the Central Texas residents
who participated. We’d like to thank the Austin American Statesman
for their generosity in dedicating many resources to ensure the Tolbert
and others received much needed assistance during the holiday season and
beyond.
Read the Stories Written About the Tolberts:
Sunday,
January 28, 2007 - Dance classes for Natalie and so much more: it
was a record year for donations to the Austin American-Statesman's Season
for Caring charitable campaign. Read
more...
Sunday,
December 31, 2006 - A record year for giving: the Season for Caring
campaign is nearing a half-million dollars in donations. Read
more...
Saturday,
December 30, 2006 - KB Home will repair the Tolbert's well-loved
house, and the family will also receive a van and medical services.
Read
more...
Tuesday,
December 12, 2006 - New windows will help the Tolberts lower their
heating bills, but the family still needs remodeling to make their home
wheelchair-accessible. Read
more...
Friday,
December 01, 2006 - The Tolbert family made volunteering part of
life, and are also raising two adopted kids and a disabled grandchild. Read
more...
Sunday, November 26, 2006 -
Nancy and Edward Tolbert, who are raising a quadriplegic grandson and two adopted children, gave a lot
of their time to the community. Now, they need the help.
Read more...
Sunday, November 26, 2006 -
Simple gifts can mean so much. A bed, new clothes, a repaired home – all can change the lives of
Central Texas families this season.
Read more...
November
12, 2006 - Former volunteers are now on the receiving end: the time
and energy that Nancy and Edward Tolbert have given to their community has
come come back to them in their time of need. The Meals on Wheels organization
they once volunteered for has been helping with their much-needed home renovations.
Read
the story from News 8 Austin.
View the
Flash Player
Interactive Presentation about all 12 Season for Caring families from the Austin American-Statesman.
Thanks for making the 2006 Season for Caring possible:
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For more information about the Tolbert Family
or the People's Community Clinic, please contact:
Abby Williamson
Resource Development Associate
People's Community Clinic
512-708-3156
abbyw@austinpcc.org
