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The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast — Society & Culture
The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast

Want to find a Houston-area place to volunteer that is right for you? Listen along as your host Paul H. Cannon interviews local Houston-area mission leaders and participants about their mission and how you can be a part of something bigger right here in Houston, Texas.

When Paul H. Cannon was in his late 20s, He was the missions coordinator for a bible study class of 165 people at Second Baptist Westway Campus in Houston. One of the challenges he ran across was finding local mission projects for the class to participate in. “If only there was a website where you could go and learn about a large group of opportunities at once,” Paul thought.

It was from this idea that Meet Houston Missions was born. As a partner and the marketing manager for Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accident Lawyers, Paul now had the means to create what he was missing. It started out as a simple series of Zoom videos and has not evolved into a weekly podcast.

If you are in the Greater Houston Area and a Mission looking for volunteers, I want to talk to you! If you are someone in the GHA who needs volunteer hours for a school group, or church group project, or you just want to be a part of something bigger, this show is for you.

Follow our podcast and visit: https://www.simmonsandfletcher.com/meet-houston-missions/ to learn about the opportunities that are literally surrounding you!

Meet Houston Missions guests do not have to be affiliated with any group or religion. If your organization is boot-on-the-ground helping people in our area, email Paul at pcannon@simmonsandfletcher.com for guest opportunities.

Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accident Lawyers is a personal injury law firm based in Houston, Texas. Learn more about the firm at: https://www.simmonsandfletcher.com. It has been serving the Houston community since 1979.

Latest Episodes:

Meet Houston Missions: Cookies for a Cause Jun 03, 2024

Show notes

This is a rerelease of the original video produced when Susan Leining, a/k/a Cookies for a Cause, came to the offices of Simmons and Fletcher to teach her cookie decorating classes as a way to raise money for Alzheimer’s research and awareness.
Cookies for a Cause by Susan is a mission to raise money to fight Alzheimer’s and bring awareness to the community about this illness. Through baking cookies for events and teaching courses on cookie making and decorating, Cookies for a Cause by Susan makes activism and education both fun and delicious!
Susan travels to businesses and offices who invite her and teaches cookie decorating secrets, allowing your staff to learn to do the decorating themselves. While teaching the class, she lectures about Alzheimer’s and how it has impacted her family. Courses start at 30 per person.
Additionally, Susan takes orders to create cookies for events and celebrations.
Proceeds from her classes and her cookies go primarily to the Alzheimer’s Association, and she organizes some events for cancer research charities as well.
Contact Information
https://www.facebook.com/CookiesforaCausebySusan/
email: cookiesforacausebysusan@gmail.com
Meet Houston Missions is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C.

Meet Houston Missions: Braes Interfaith Missions May 27, 2024

Show notes

This episode of Meet Houston Missions features Ryan Kreipe, the Manager of Braes Interfaith Resale Store & IT Director for Braes Interfaith Ministries. Braes Interfaith Ministries serves the needs of the southwest side of Houston providing food and clothing for less fortunate people as well as clothing for people transitioning from prison back to the workforce. They operate a food pantry at Willow Meadows Baptist Church as well as a Resale Shop on Post Oak, which serves two purposes: to clothe people in need and provide income to support the mission.

Braes Interfaith Ministries was started by the Southwest Ministry Alliance over 35 years ago and is supported by 14 area churches and synagogues. It is in the Braeswood neighborhood of Houston.

Donations Needed

Braes Interfaith Ministries regularly needs donations of clothing, household goods, and monetary donations to support efforts to help people recover from disaster, fire, or loss. Monetary donations are always needed to support the mission as well. They also accept donations at the Resale shop of household goods and clothes that can be sold. For every $1.00 profit that Braes Interfaith Ministries generates, they are able to purchase $27.00 worth of food from the Houston Food Bank, which the ministry then distributes through the food pantry.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are always needed to sort, stock, unload, and/or deliver food and clothing between the food pantry, Houston Food Bank, and the resale shop. To learn more about these opportunities, please visit the Braes Interfaith Ministries website at https://braesinterfaithministries.org/ or visit the resale shop website at https://www.braesresale.com. You may also call Ryan at the shop at 713-723-3841 to coordinate a time to volunteer.

Locations

The Food Pantry is located at Willow Meadows Baptist Church, 4300 W Bellfort in Houston, Texas.

Braes Interfaith Resale Shop is located at 10814 S Post Oak in Houston.
Meet Houston Missions and The Simmons and Fletcher Local Podcast are brought to you by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. Host Paul H. Cannon is the Managing Partner.

Meet Houston Missions: West Houston Assistance Ministries May 13, 2024

Show notes

This episode of The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast features Mark Brown, CEO of West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM). WHAM is a place of hope and respite for those in need. By providing responsive support through short-term assistance with food, rent, utilities, disaster relief, seasonal programs (eg. Thanksgiving and Christmas Meals), as well as access to education/employment resources, WHAM moves families from crisis to stability, and toward self-sufficiency, and away from crisis and homelessness.
More Information About WHAM
In the fiscal year 2020, WHAM provided services to 115,857 individuals, compared to 42,000 served in 2019, demonstrating how disastrous the pandemic has been to the livelihoods of local families. Since March 2020, when WHAM jumped into action in response to COVID-19, WHAM has helped over 200,000 individuals, with over $1.7M, to prevent evictions and disconnections. From its inception, WHAM has partnered with churches that contribute financially and refer their parishioners to WHAM for help. WHAM also collaborates with community partners like the Houston Food Bank, grocers, and restaurants that provide WHAM with food for the food pantry, as well as organizations and corporations that provide funds, drives, and volunteers.

Locations Supported

WHAM primarily helps zip codes 77036, 77042, 77057, 77063, 77072, 77077, 77082, 77083, and 77099 with financial assistance for rent, mortgage, and utilities; however, they can help those in other Harris County, Fort Bend, and Montgomery County zip codes on a limited basis, depending on the types of grants available.

WHAM Office Locations

WHAM administration offices, Resale Store (Second Blessing Resale Store), Client Services, and Food Pantry are located at 10501 Meadowglen Lane, Houston, TX 77042. WHAM also has a Satellite Food Pantry at Church at the Cross, located at 3835 South Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77082. Financial assistance and employment and job literacy assistance are also provided virtually and over the phone.

WHAM Benefits

WHAM’s Annual Faith, Hope, and Love Benefit Luncheon is held in November. WHAM also holds two drive-thru Shred Days. The Chevron Houston Marathon’s Run for a Reason program benefits WHAM by allowing people to participate and fundraise for WHAM. Runners can sign up and choose West Houston Assistance Ministries as their charity and fundraise--WHAM will pay for their registration. Finally, there is the Spring Dash, a 5K/1K held anytime between April and June.

Donor and Volunteer Information

Monetary donations can be made online at https://www.whamministries.org or by mailing a check to our address. However, WHAM also constantly needs donations of food and supplies for our food pantry to keep up with the great need we see every day at our doors. WHAM also needs donations of furniture, clothing, household goods, books, etc., for their resale store.

WHAM has a constant need for volunteers, especially in the food pantry, and during the 3x/week drive-thru food distributions (where WHAM feeds between 160 and 250 families at each). WHAM also needs volunteers in their Employment and Adult Literacy program, as well as interviewers to help vet clients who request financial assistance. Finally, WHAM always needs volunteers to work in the resale store and warehouse.

Contact:

Volunteer Coordinator, Ella Clark e.clark@whamministries.org,
or visit https://whamministries.org/volunteer

Meet Houston Missions: Clothed by Faith May 06, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we revisit Melinda Stephenson, the Executive Director of Clothed by Faith. Our original visit with her took place on November 19, 2021, when we were only doing Zoom episodes. We rereleased the episode in April of 2024 as a podcast and have since learned that Clothed by Faith has grown exponentially in the past 3 years as a mission that provides 1 week's worth of clothing to people in need.
In this podcast, host Paul Cannon and Melinda discuss the growth of Clothed by Faith from 3 school closets to 20 and more in the works. Additionally, the mission is reaching all the counties surrounding Harris County, including Fort Bend, Galveston, Brazoria, Chambers, and Montgomery Counties. In 2023, Clothed by Faith helped clothe over 24,000 people.
Clothed by Faith serves schools of all grades as well as their families. In addition, they provide clothing to numerous other missions and agencies, including mental health agencies, non-profit missions, human trafficking shelters, homeless organizations, prison release programs, juvenile probation services, domestic violence shelters, and victim's assistance programs.
To make donations, find out more about the needs, and sign up to give, volunteer, or receive assistance, please visit the website: https://www.clothedbyfaith.org/. They are a 501c Charity, so all donations are tax-deductible.

Meet Houston Missions is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. See more missions and/or learn how to get your Houston mission featured.

Meet Houston Missions: Katy Responds Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

Ron Peters, the Executive Director of Katy Responds, talks with us about the various disasters for which they have provided recovery assistance in this Episode of Meet Houston Missions. Katy Responds is a nonprofit organization that restores homes destroyed or damaged by disaster by seeking funding and then coordinating the work with local volunteers and staff. They serve homeowners primarily in the greater Katy ISD area.

Katy Responds
Recent events brought widespread flooding to the Katy, Texas area. Homeowners living in places that were not considered “in the flood plain” found themselves completely underwater as excessive amounts of water breached flood control dams and bayous. The extensive flooding from the storm left thousands of people with severely damaged homes that were not covered for hurricane, wind, and/or flood damage. As a result, a number of people were left without the means to repair the damage. Katy Responds was formed shortly after Hurricane Harvey to help identify and obtain funding through grants and private donors that can be used to repair Katy Area homes after disaster strikes. When a family in need is referred to Katy Responds after a disaster, the organization seeks and obtains the funding and then seeks to engage volunteers from area churches and private volunteers to do the labor required to bring the home back to a livable condition.
Volunteer Opportunities

Katy Responds needs volunteers as well as financial support in order to succeed in its mission to help its neighbors in the Katy Area. If you would like to be a part of Katy Responds or to donate, please visit KatyResponds.org. Individuals, church groups, organizations, and groups from private businesses are encouraged to sign up on the website to participate individually or as a part of a larger group.

Contact Information:

Katy Responds
KatyResponds.org
22765 Westheimer Pkwy.
Katy, TX. 77450
281-305-8545
Meet Houston Missions and The Simmons and Fletcher Local Podcast are brought to you by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. Host Paul H. Cannon is the Managing Partner.

Meet Houston Missions: Big Brothers Big Sisters Apr 22, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Meet Houston Missions, we meet Mark Martin, the Vice President of Community Engagement for Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star--an organization that aims to build relationships between mentors adults, and children in grades K through 12 that will empower the little brothers and sisters to reach their full potential in life. They do this by screening and training big brothers and sisters, matching them with little brothers and sisters with similar interests and/or goals, and placing them in one of three mentor programs that best suits their needs.

History

Big Brothers Big Sisters was founded in 1904 by a court clerk who saw kids in the criminal system and decided there had to be a way to give them a positive influence to show them a better way. The organization grew beyond kids in the legal system to kids all over the United States with a need for mentoring in their lives. In 1977, A merger with Big Sisters led to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America that continues today and has local divisions across the United States.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters Lone Star – Greater Houston

Big Brothers and Big Sisters Lone Star – Greater Houston came to Houston in the 1950s and has helped thousands of mentors and youth pair up. The mentors provide a safe outlet for conversation, guidance, and friendship that for many last a lifetime.

Opportunities to Get Involved

There are several fundraising events and volunteering opportunities for individuals and businesses to get involved. You can learn the full details of these events by visiting the website and selecting “Events” from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. Each of these events has sponsorship opportunities, fundraising opportunities, and the opportunity to participate either individually or as a sponsor team. These include:

Swing for the Kids Sake—An annual golf tournament to raise funds and awareness for Big Brother and Big Sisters Lone Star.
Bowl for Kids Sake – A team bowling tournament where your private or corporate team raises funds and participates in a bowling tournament.
Pickleball for Kids – For those into Pickleball, this is a great opportunity to build your team and compete at the extravagant Houstonian Club.
Corn Hole for Kids – Another creative and fun fundraiser team opportunity.

Each of the above events allows people to form teams and raise money through donations and sponsorships of at least $1,000.00. Those teams then meet and compete for a great time and a great cause.

The Annual Gala

If you prefer to get dressed to the nines and celebrate as a way of raising support and awareness, An Evening for Potential is the event for you. This annual Gala and afterparty is a great opportunity to get dressed up for a fancy dinner and a great cause.

Event Space Rental

As a unique way of raising funds, Big Brothers and Big Sisters Lone Star-Greater Houston also offers the use of its event space. Boasting a comfortable 250-person seating space or 300 standing, this space is perfect for weddings, lectures, ceremonies, reunions, anniversaries, and other events. A full kitchen for catering and a balcony overlooking downtown Houston make this space perfect for any nice occasion.

Contact:

To learn more, call 713-860-8226 or visit:
https://bbbstx.org/greater-houston/.

Mark Martin
Vice President of Community Engagement
Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star - Greater Houston
1003 Washington Ave.
Houston, TX. 77002
Email: Mmartin @bbbstx.org
The Simmons and Fletcher Local Podcast is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C.

Meet Houston Missions: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Paul Talks to Amanda L. Payne, the Developmental Director for Walk MS. Walk MS is one of the two main fundraising organizations for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The second one is the Texas MS150. Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., has been privileged to be a part of Walk MS Houston and the Texas MS 150 in several capacities, from entering teams, sponsoring teams, and sponsoring tents and booths at the events.
The National MS Society

The National MS Society was born from a sister’s love in 1946 after Sylvia Lawry, whose brother Bernard suffered from MS, identified a desperate need for an organized effort to “encourage and finance research into the cause, treatment, and cure of multiple sclerosis.” Today, the National MS Society has funded more breakthroughs in the treatment and understanding of MS than has been accomplished in any other neurological disease.

The website also provides a connection for people living with MS to the resources and tools needed to live their best lives. You can research doctors who treat MS as well as publications that provide valuable information on identifying, treating, and coping with MS.
Walk MS Houston and Walk MS The Woodlands

The Walk MS events are localized fundraiser walks to raise money for research and to raise awareness of MS. Volunteers to help with the walk are always welcome. Teams are needed to sign up to participate in the walk. Corporate sponsors are also needed to sponsor everything from individual tents and stations up to the entire event. Sponsorship levels range from $2,000-$25,000. There is a Walk MS Houston and a Walk MS The Woodlands that take place around the greater Houston area which occurs in March.

Texas MS 150

The Texas MS 150 is an annual bike ride event that starts in Austin and goes to a campsite in La Grange for the biggest Bike Ride Party event in the United States. The Ride continues the next day to the finish line in College Station. (Riders may also choose to ride directly from their homes to La Grange.) Volunteers to assist at the water and food tents and other stations are needed as well as corporate sponsors.

Contact Information

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society can be contacted at the following:

1050 N. Post Oak Rd. Ste. 240
Houston, TX 77055
1-800-344-4867

www.nationalMSsociety.org
Meet Houston Missions is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. Host Paul H. Cannon is a partner in the firm.

Meet Houston Missions: The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Meet Houston Missions, we meet with Shauna Huffington, the Campaign Development Director for the Texas Gulf Coast Region of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Leukemia Society was founded in 1949 by the parent of Robbie Roesler de Villiers, a young man who was taken by Leukemia in 1944 at the age of 16. It was later renamed the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or LLS.

Today, LLS is dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers. The organization funds millions of dollars in research and provides patient services ranging from filing insurance claims to finding doctors.

Helping Patients and Their Families

For those who have been diagnosed with blood cancer, LLS provides a hotline staffed with masters-level oncology nurses and translators speaking multiple languages. By calling 800-955-4572, patients and their families can access a wealth of patient resources including, doctor referrals, educational resources, mentors, and assistance with appeals.

Research

Since 1949, LLS has provided over 1.3 billion dollars to researchers studying blood cancers. Currently, there are 11 researchers funded in Houston hospitals, including Baylor & UT, for a total of 12 million in grants. The LLS also spearheads the Children’s Initiative, which is a 100-million-dollar worldwide initiative that aims to develop cures for childhood cancer. Since the organization’s inception, the survival rate of childhood cancer for children under the age of 15 has gone from a 3% survival rate to a 90% survival rate.

Fundraisers:

LLS hosts two major fundraisers. One is in the spring, and the other in the fall. These fundraisers rely on teams of individuals as well as private and corporate sponsors.

The spring event is The Big Climb. Participants climb up 50 flights of stairs in Downtown Houston to raise money and awareness. You can learn more or sign up here: https://pages.lls.org/bigclimb/txg/bigclimbhou22

The fall event in Houston is their big event, which has drawn more than 5000 people at past events. This is their Light the Night event, where people gather and walk at night with color-coded balloons that signify supporters, survivors, and victims of blood cancers. At the end, there is a fireworks show. Learn about Light The Night here: https://www.lightthenight.org/events/houston.

Galas

In addition to the above fundraisers, their Galas include Man/Woman of the Year and Students of the Year. These involve a secret fundraising competition that goes on during the year, and winners are then revealed at their Gala.

Volunteers and Donors

Volunteers are needed for each of the events described above. Additionally, mentors—people who have survived blood cancer—are always needed to speak to people currently walking the walk. You can contact Information Services at 800-955-4572 to get more information on volunteering. Anyone wishing to donate outside of participating in the above events can also call the Information Services number to learn more or visit LLS.org.
The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast is brought to you by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. Founding partner Keith M. Fletcher passed away in 2019 due to Lymphoma. This disease affects the lives of many.

Meet Houston Missions: Heroes For Children Mar 25, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 1 of Meet Houston Missions, we hear from Julie Malin, the South Texas Director for Heroes for Children. Heroes for Children is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization that advocates for and provides financial and social assistance to families with children (0-22 years of age) battling cancer. Since 2004, Heroes for Children has provided $6.5 million to over 6,600 Texas families in need through our financial and social assistance programs. There is no other organization that provides direct and immediate assistance to families with such ease when it comes to restoring normalcy and bringing comfort through each family’s journey.
Heroes for Children History

In October 2004, Larissa Linton (Taylor’s mom) and Jenny Lawson (Allie’s mom) met soon after the death of Jenny’s daughter Allie. The need for a more comprehensive organization became evident to Co-Founders Larissa and Jenny after they recounted not only the devastating effects of childhood cancer during their daughters’ treatments but also the blessings they each received from their community. Unfortunately, they each saw many other families struggling without the aid and care of others. Families were losing their homes, having their electricity shut off, and struggling to make everyday payments. It was through the desire of these two moms to serve other families battling childhood cancer that Heroes for Children was formed.

Events & Fundraisers:

Heroes for Children hosts several different fundraisers per year all around the state of Texas, as well as a support event for families of children experiencing childhood cancer. Events include a Heroes & Handbag event, Ladies’ Tennis Tournament, Christmas Event, and the Texas Hold’em Tournament.

In the Heroes and Handbags Event, luxury handbags are donated by makers and businesses and then auctioned off to raise money. Wine and snacks are served to make it a fun event for all. In the Tennis Tournaments, teams enter and compete to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer. The Texas Holdem Tournament is an evening of card-playing fun with a casino night, auction, dinner, and drinks. Events are held at different times in different cities, including Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. Visit Events to learn more about the events, dates, and times in your city.

Contact:

Julie Malin
heroesforchildren.org
Meet Houston Missions is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. Host Paul H. Cannon is a partner in the firm.

Meet Houston Missions: Family Hope Fulshear Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

On Meet Houston Missions and The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast, your host, Paul Cannon, talks with Bob Patton, the executive director of Fulshear Outreach and Development Corporation D/B/A Family Hope Fulshear. Family Hope Fulshear started in 2014 when a group of pastors and community leaders came together to address the need for family services in the Fulshear-Simonton areas.
Family Hope Fulshear provides five main types of services, food, furniture, education, assistance, and events, to people who are seeking aid during difficult times.
Family Hope Fulshear Projects
One of their biggest services is the food pantry and food fairs they host at multiple churches. Their food pantry is located off Fry Road and 1463 and helps feed about 200 families a month. The food pantry is open Monday through Thursday from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M. Moreover, Family Hope Fulshear has three locations: Parkway Fellowship, Saint Faustina Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus Hall, where they run food fairs once a month that help feed over 1,000 families.
Additionally, Family Hope Fulshear runs special events throughout the year to supply various necessities to their community. One event they host is a Back-to-School event where they collect pairs of shoes for children who either do not have any shoes or are wearing old, beat-up shoes to wear for school. Last year, Family Hope Fulshear collected 1,266 pairs of shoes to give to children in need. Another event Family Hope Fulshear runs is the Hope Fair, which brings in businesses and presenters who are looking to hire immigrants seeking jobs. This year, Family Hope Fulshear is holding an event called the Bean-a-Thon--an event where volunteers package bags of rice and beans to give to families in need.
Additional Services
Family Hope Fulshear also provides services such as education and relief aid for those in need in the case of a disaster (storm or serious car accident). The organization holds classes for cooking, parenting, finances, and other courses for people seeking to learn life necessities. Additionally, the organization helps sign up immigrants for English courses at the Houston Community College so they can become contributing members in the United States.
Volunteer Opportunities
Family Hope Fulshear typically needs about 100 or more volunteers a month. With only five part-time staff members, Family Hope Fulshear relies heavily on volunteers from the community to package beans and rice, run the front desk at the main office, collect groceries, and run events. Some events, such as the food fairs, need around 100 volunteers each in order to ensure everything gets done in time to hand out the groceries to people. Since the organization is always hosting new events, it is a great place to look into if you are a high school or college student who needs volunteer hours for a club. Many of the volunteers at Family Hope Fulshear are kids looking to meet volunteer hour requirements for NHS, NCL, FCA, and Boy Scouts. If you are interested in volunteering, you can reach out on the Family Hope Fulshear website or call their office phone.
Financial Needs
In order to help as many people and families as possible, Family Hope Fulshear needs donations and support. Last year, they spent about $50,000 a month ($600,000 total) on groceries for people in need. While that may seem like a lot, that budget means that the 1,000 families they help each month only receive about $50 worth of groceries to use.
Contact and Info
(832)-332-5163
https://www.familyhopefulshear.org
INFO@FAMILYHOPEFULSHEAR.ORG.

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