Latest news with #SeymourHelpingHands
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hundreds helped by Seymour woman: A lookback on a Remarkable Woman
SEYMOUR (KFDX/KJTL) — Since winning Texoma's Remarkable Woman Contest two years ago, Kimberly Stevenson has continued to be a helping hand to those throughout Baylor County. When she first received the title, Stevenson had a goal of opening a physical community center for Seymour Helping Hands. She's accomplished that goal and much more since 2023. 'We started as a Facebook group, and people kept asking me what [I wanted] to see,' she said. 'I said, 'I'd love to see something that's a cross between, like, the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club;' we just didn't have it. And they said, 'Well, why don't you start it?'' A haven for help in the middle of Seymour thrives. Kimberly Stevenson's nonprofit has outgrown its virtual walls and has served over 600 residents in that time. 'We've recently started our Senior Socials, which is for our legendary community members, the older group. Little things that help them have things to get to do outside of the house,' she said. 'We also are working toward getting AA and al-anon class. We've also partnered with Region 9 to be able to help people understand GED classes, and if they don't have internet at home, we have internet and computers here.' Seymour Helping Hands offers social services like the New to You clothes closet and free food pantry. 'It's a heartfelt thing when I watch people who, maybe, had nothing to do on a Saturday, and they come out here, and they help us sort through donations, and they help us clean up things,' Stevenson said. The founder has no plans to stop any time soon. 'My goal is to leave something with our community, to instill something with our volunteers so that they want to continue to volunteer so that when I'm gone, my kids and other generations will get to see this continue to be part of our community,' Stevenson said. And her message to her 2023 self? 'Don't give up. Don't let the frustrations and anything where you think you can't stop you because you can,' Stevenson said. The former Remarkable Woman winner added that Seymour Helping Hands' vice president, Kim Hill, has been instrumental in helping bring that growth to Seymour. Stevenson said that because they serve up to ten people weekly, they need volunteers. Call 940-366-5212 to learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
2025 Home and Garden Festival wraps up amid spring-like conditions
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Another Home and Garden Festival came to a close at the MPEC on Sunday. After a sudden warming trend following record-low temperatures through the week, all festival goers had spring on their brain. CEO of the Arts Council of Wichita Falls, Kristen Shiplet, noticed the trend immediately. 'It was cold and kind of gloomy earlier in the week, and now it's beautiful,' Shiplet said. 'The sun is shining, so that has helped I think, pull people out of their houses. They're tired of being trapped. They're really thinking about spring now.' Among the rows of booths were local favorites like Smith's Gardentown and Wichita Valley Landscape. Shiplet and the Arts Council brought several local non-profits to the festival too. 'We want them to have the opportunity to get in front of the guests who are here so people know what is available to them, should they need those organizations. They're here to serve a purpose,' Shiplet said. One of the non-profits in attendance was Seymour Helping Hands. The four-year-old non-profit is continuing to grow its presence in Seymour and the group's founder, Kimberly Stevenson relished the opportunity to show more Texomans what the group is all about. 'This shows where Seymour Helping Hands has come from. From a Facebook page to today, we're at the MPEC Center,' Stevenson said. So, it's really great. It helps our community, it gets the word out there, and it lets people know about not only our car show but the other things that we're trying to do to support our community.' While the majority of the Home and Garden Festival is about gardening and home renovations, Katrena Mitchell and the Wichita County 4-H brought animals and more along to demonstrate how agriculture can shape a community from the ground up. 'We're celebrating our community and so, you can't have our community without agriculture,' Mitchell said. 'We're just here to educate and help people realize the importance of agriculture that goes on in our community and everyday parts of our lives.' All eyes are now pointed toward spring. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
