At Home in Katy

A Home for Healing

// December 10th, 2008 // Press Releases

Katy, Texas has spirit – Keller Williams culture spirit!  One can feel it in the air and it is a direct result of the phenomenally inspiring endeavors of Cinco Charities!Ignited by the 2006 family Reunion challenge for market centers to leave a legacy within their individual communities and led by the passion of Gayle Huffman and Kathy Girgenti, the Katy team immediately sprang to action!  Combining several team members’ personal experience with the associates’ knowledge of their community’s future hospital development plans, a very distinct need was born.  Katy had been identified as the site for several major hospital branches including MD Anderson, Texas Children’s, Methodist Hospital, Memorial Hermann, St. Luke’s and Christus St. Catherine, resulting in scores of out-of-town patients, family members and caregivers traveling to Katy instead of Houston for their often long-term treatments.  How best to reach out and help during such a difficult time?  Combine our culture with Katy associates’ housing expertise and the result — a “home away from home” — was a perfect fit!

Building a solid and fully legal foundation for such an endeavor proved to be an ongoing testimonial to total, untiring teamwork in action.  Monthly board meetings found members tackling the adoption of by-laws, copyright laws, non-profit status, printed materials creation, major fundraising development, the seeking of community partners, etc.  It could have been a daunting task, but as Chris Hiller, Chairman of the Board shares, the passion had been embraced, the commitment was unconditional and it was ”full speed ahead”!

Because such facilities are scarce, with the Ronald McDonald House being an exception, developing a model for their dream has been challenging.  However, through perseverance, the National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses (NAHHH) web site surfaced and became a beacon of light for Cinco Charities.  At last they had discovered the camaraderie of others who were successfully sharing this vision!

Cinco Charities’ long-term goal is a freestanding, multi-family housing facility. Until that realization, the Marriott TownePlace Suites has joined in their efforts by offering them discounted patient rates.  Currently Cinco Charities is aiding their fifth individual who traveled from Connecticut for treatment.  Due to lack of insurance coverage, the free housing provided by our Katy team made the possible life-saving trip a reality!

In true “culture-keeping”, applicants’ finances are not considered and help is based strictly on medical needs.  Recently, as more and more volunteers have stepped forward to help, “Friends of Cinco Charities” is being formed to support their many fundraising endeavors.  We invite you to learn more about this exciting Keller Williams family organization by visiting their informative web site:  “cincocharities.org”.  In February they will host a community event featuring their vision, testimonials, etc.  “Katy is a large city with a small town spirit, and we’re anticipating a positive, supportive response!” offers Chris.

My heart has been deeply touched by the incredible culture example our Katy team has set through Cinco Charities and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for sharing their love and compassion with those in great need.

Yours in Caring and Sharing,
Mo