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PHOTO BY GINGER PRZYBYS two significant exceptions – all of Helping
Hands’ items are located right here in Sun
Janet Liem (left) and Shirley Worth (right) standing inside Janet’s garage. City Texas and all items are available to
borrow free of charge. No red tape, no
Helping Hands insurance forms and no driving to Austin
or Round Rock.
By Ginger Przybys adult community, the group realized
the importance of providing medical aid Founder Maria Wagner does not
Twenty years ago, a good idea was equipment to residents who might find personally store any equipment, but can
born. It was 1996. Sun City Texas themselves suddenly in need of such either answer questions or direct the caller
was just getting started and an items. Again, Helping Hands put out the to Janet and Shirley, depending upon what
important need wasn’t being fulfilled: request for contributions, and soon a host equipment is needed.
grandparents with visiting grandchildren of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes,
didn’t have the equipment or supplies to knee scooters, commodes, medical boots The process to pick up the equipment is
accommodate the tykes, toddlers and and shower chairs – as well as numerous very easy. Simply contact Janet or Shirley
tweens. To resolve this issue, Maria other items – were ready for lending to to verify that what you need is available.
Wagner gathered a group of women and any resident in need. Once Helping Hands has confirmed that
together they decided to start a support your required item is available, simply
group they called Helping Hands. Throughout the years, new Helping Hands pay a visit to the Helping Hands home to
volunteers have taken up the cause as get your item. There you’ll jot down your
The group put the word out, and soon others have needed to step down, keeping name, phone number, the item(s) you are
began collecting donations of cribs, high the group in continuous operation. Helping borrowing and an approximate date of
chairs, play pens, booster seats, strollers, Hands volunteer Janet Liem became return. Not only will you get to use costly
car seats, camping cots with mattresses involved with the group in 1998, storing medical and/or baby equipment free of
and other baby- and child-related items. child items and medical aid equipment in charge for as long as it is needed, but you’ll
Many items were new or in like-new her garage. Eighteen years later, Janet is be greeted with compassion and a sincere
condition. After building a stockpile of still actively involved. Two years ago, Janet desire to help.
resources, the women of Helping Hands recruited Shirley Worth to Helping Hands.
were then able to assist residents with Both of their garages are crammed with Janet and Shirley will happily accept
their temporary childcare needs by loaning ready-to-loan equipment, leaving just barely donations of any medical aid equipment
baby and children’s essentials to residents enough room for a vehicle. The quantity or child-related items in good condition to
as needed, free of charge. and variety of their stock rivals nearly help keep an adequate supply available.
any commercial medical aid supplier, with Like any frequently-used item, Helping
This good idea soon evolved into an Hands’ supplies eventually wear out.
even better one. Living within an active When this happens, the group either
recycles the item or, depending on its
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG condition, donates it to a charity where it
will be repaired for someone who needs it.
“This is very rewarding for me,” says Janet,
who fills roughly 10 to 12 requests for
equipment each month. “I get to meet lots
of people from everywhere. I love what I do.”
Shirley echoes these sentiments: “This
is a wonderful program. People are so
appreciative that we do this. I’ve made
some new friends. I’m so glad I’m involved.”
Helping Hands does more than just loan
equipment - these wonderful women also
provide caring and loving hearts. You can
find SC Helping Hands in the Support
Groups section of Sun Rays magazine.
To request an item, you may call Maria
at 512-864-0641. Sun City residents can
call Janet at 512-868-8658 or Shirley at
512-943-4110.
JANUARY 2017 SUNRAYS | 67
