It is my privilege to write a letter in support of the Good N.E.W.S. program. I can think of no better organization in the Azle, Tx community that exhibits the definition of “care”.
It has been my pleasure to have been associated with Terri Bartlett, program director, for more years than I can count. The work/support that Good N.E.W.S. provides for this community is invaluable. Terri Bartlett and her staff genuinely love the folks they provide services for and this shows through in the competency and enthusiasm they bring to the task.
The Azle area is a rural community and the Good N.E.W.S. program offers quality of life services (transportation, shopping assistance, yard work/minor home repair) that would not be available to our senior citizens without this program and the dedicated individuals who administer its services. They not only provide necessary services, but more importantly, they provide a human touch, a friend to visit with – something much more valuable and needed by many of the people they befriend.
I'm a member of a once-large Texas family that's dwindled over time to just two people: My Aunt Annie, now 100 years old, and me, her nephew, and I now live far from Azle, near Washington, DC. Over the past 10 years....more that 10, possibly...I managed to visit my Aunt somewhat often, as work schedules permitted, but not nearly frequently enough to attend to her needs. With her advanced age, those needs increased, and I felt helpless to find a solution. At about this time, Aunt Annie was blessed to have Good N.E.W.S. enter her life. The experienced and dedicated staff seemed to know exactly what to do, how to do it, and when to do it, and they volunteered their time unselfishly to ensure medical needs were attended to, living conditions were acceptable, and general needs were met. This enabled my Aunt Annie to remain living at home. She's a fiercely independent Texas lady, and wanted nothing more than to stay in her own home, and Good N.E.W.S. helped to make that happen. In later years, the level of her needs increased, but the volunteers dedication never wavered. Over time, I became aware countless instances of exceptional good deeds exceeding any expectations, continuing to provide a comfortable living situation for Aunt Annie and peace of mind for me. Terri and Joyce were involved in her life, and they made all the difference. Good N.E.W.S. is an amazing organization serving a critical need in the Azle community, and is deserving of all possible support. I simply can't put into words what a difference Good N.E.W.S., and their extraordinary team, made in the life of an amazing Texas lady, my Aunt Annie.
I have been a volunteer with Good NEWS Living At Home Program for 14 years. The goal of this volunteer-driven organization is to offer seniors the opportunity to stay in their own homes with assistance in the form of home repairs, house cleaning, laundry, food deliveries, transportation. In addition, Christmas wishes are hung on trees throughout the town for families to Adopt-A-Senior; gifts and fruit are delivered by Good NEWS Volunteers, including youth groups from local schools and churches. I have had the privilege of serving many seniors, and I gain as much strength and enjoyment from these visits as our clients do! One senior whose laundry I did on a regular basis was offered a substitute while I was on vacation; she responded, Oh, nobody can do my laundry like Louise does!