OUR TOWN
Generosity abounds in El Campo
MAYOR PHILLIP SPENRATH

If you are new to El Campo, "Welcome" to one of the most generous and caring communities.

El Campoans have continuously stepped up to the plate to support their fellow citizens regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or socio-economic status. No matter where you travel within our great city, there will always be a smiling facing on every corner and in every doorway.

I witnessed numerous blessings and acts of support and kindness throughout this past week.

On Tuesday, I was invited to the Grand Opening of "All the Little Things Count," located at 511 W. Jackson St. This awesome facility provides Home and Community Services (HCS) and Mental Retardation Local Authority Services (MRLA) to individuals with developmental and medical disabilities.

Throughout my visit, I was greeted, room after room, by smiling faces from both clients and staff. All the Little Things Count provides individuals with opportunities to acquire, retain and/or improve self-help skills necessary to reside in the community, outside of institutions and nursing homes.

The curriculum and staff provides age appropriate training, experiences and activities that enhance self-esteem and maximizes an individual's functioning level. If you ever start to feel discouraged and need a boost, I urge you to drop by All the Little Things Count for a quick jolt of encouragement accompanied by a whole lot of big smiles.

Early in the week, I was blessed with a telephone call from Vicki Molina, executive director of the El Campo Housing Authority. Vicki shared with me a few of the many opportunities our local Housing Authority is providing for a diverse group of our community members.

Along with providing safe and affordable housing, Vicki also described several of the Housing Authority's special "children" projects that they sponsor to help meet the needs of our citizens.

Recently, the Housing Authority, in cooperation with the El Campo Pilot Club, gathered, organized and then dispersed school supplies to resident children living within the Housing Authority Community.

Throughout the year, the Housing Authority also hosts special events and celebrations for its residents in an effort to promote community fellowship, trust and unity. The El Campo Housing Authority is another of our many special organizations that are working diligently in our community to insure that all of our citizens needs are met.

While I have only mentioned a couple of our community's many contributors, I certainly cannot fail to mention those wonderful El Campo seniors who have offered so much of their time, energy and financial resources to help make El Campo what it is today.

While I intend on devoting another article to the great outreach activities scheduled for the newly renovated El Campo Heritage Center, I do want to give a brief "shout out" to all of our citizens about the upcoming Cattle Call social and fund-raiser.

There are still seats, raffle tickets, and other opportunities available for you to offer your support and thanks to our special "senior" leaders who have given so much to the past, present and future of El Campo.

El Campo is truly a "one of a kind community" when it comes to giving of one's time and the offering of support for our fellow neighbors, regardless of their needs.

I also want to thank the numerous businesses, organizations and individuals that have stepped up to offer equipment, labor and/or financial support for our upcoming Wildflower Beautification Project.

As we prepare for a mid-October planting date, we have already been blessed with over $2,000 in community support. If you are interested in assisting with this beautification project, the El Campo Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture is still accepting much needed and greatly appreciated donations.

We still have several gateway landscapes needing sponsorship. Thank you to all of our wonderful, caring and giving neighbors.

As your mayor, my primary objective continues to be preparing El Campo for the future while maintaining our community's friendly smalltown atmosphere.

- Comments may be addressed to askthemayor@sbcglobal.net.