Foundation Surpasses $1M Raised in FY25 Due to Generosity of Community
August 18, 2025 – Sulphur Springs, Texas – The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is celebrating a milestone that has been 28 years in the making. Due to the donations and support of Hopkins County residents and businesses, the Foundation raised over $1 million in the first 10 months of the fiscal year 2024-25. Board members are eager to state that this is means more dollars that will be invested in local healthcare to benefit Hopkins County residents.
“This accomplishment was only possible due to the generosity of the community,” said Pam Black, chair of the Foundation Board of Directors. “The Health Care Foundation raises money that is then given back to the community through healthcare initiatives such as free clinics, education, improved facilities, and cutting-edge equipment. We believe that any support the Foundation receives enables medical professionals to save local lives. That is why we take our role in this process very seriously.”
The Foundation is known for some of the best fundraisers in Hopkins County, such as the annual Gala, Snowflake campaign, and bingo events such as Man Bingo and the upcoming Designer Handbag Bingo. But the group is most proud of the work the Foundation is able to accomplish due to the financial support received from the community.
Each year, the Foundation offers free clinics including a free mammography clinic for uninsured Hopkins County women and a free heart calcium scan clinic for Hopkins County men. The Foundation also provides In My Closet for the women’s cancer community. This includes free items to assist breast cancer patients and survivors, as well as the Hopkins County Breast Cancer Support Group.
“The more money we receive, the more we can invest locally in healthcare to benefit all of us,” stated Black. “Raising $1 million was a community-wide effort that will benefit all of us.” The Foundation also provides funds to two other local healthcare entities, the Hopkins County Hospital District/EMS and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, to ensure that they have what they need to better serve Hopkins County.
Annually, the Foundation Board considers funding requests from these two organizations to determine which projects will have the most healthcare benefit for local residents. This may involve updating existing equipment, adding a machine to provide additional testing locally, or, as is currently the case, assisting with fundraising for a construction project.
This record year has highlighted the need to donate to the surgical wing expansion at CMF-SS. The generous gift from Sharon and Charles Helm to name and underwrite the four new operating rooms played a huge role in the Foundation’s fundraising success and will have a long-lasting impact on Hopkins County’s access to state-of-the-art surgical offerings.
In Fiscal Year 2025-26, the Foundation has already provided $12,500 to the Hopkins County Hospital District/EMS to be used for a whole blood initiative to help save lives prior to an ambulance arriving at the hospital. In February, the Foundation donated $260,000 toward an MRI upgrade that is already in use. The Foundation also facilitated a donation from Alliance Bank to purchase a golf cart for the Mobile Athletic Training Room used by CMF-SS. The golf cart will be on the sidelines at high school sporting and community events to assist trainers and medical staff in rendering aid.
Foundation Chair-Elect Steve Rutherford underscored why the Foundation exists. “The Foundation fills in the gaps to make sure that our rural community has the equipment, technology, and facilities necessary to provide us with as many opportunities to receive quality local care. The Foundation believes that choosing a great quality of life outside of an urban area should not negatively impact residents’ healthcare treatments and opportunities. Our community deserves great healthcare. We appreciate the individuals, organizations, and businesses that help us fulfill our mission.”
The Foundation is an IRS 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization; all or part of donations may be tax-deductible. Donors should consult their tax preparer for more information. Donors interested in learning more about the Foundation or the Spreading Our Wings Campaign, making a cash donation, including the Foundation in estate planning, or establishing a pledge may contact the Foundation at 903-438-4799 or [email protected].
No celebration is complete without a spray of champagne, or in this case, grape juice. Foundation Chair-Elect Steve Rutherford turned the twist top after the announcement of the Health Care Foundation’s fundraising accomplishment.
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Board of Directors has cause for celebration of FY 2024-25. Due to the generosity of Hopkins County residents, organizations, and businesses, the Foundation surpassed $1 million in funds raised during the first 10 months of last fiscal year. What that means for Hopkins County residents is that they will have even more local health-related opportunities! A win-win! Shown here are former Foundation Board Members, from left to right, Markeda Fisher, Wanda Galyean, and Lynda Hager.
Current and former Health Care Foundation Board members and donors gathered to hear a surprise announcement 28 years in the making. Chair-Elect Steve Rutherford, Mary Heilman, and Jimmy Jones catch up prior to the reception.
A healthy group of current and former Foundation board members gathered to hear the news. Initial Board Member, Dr. Bill Dietz, current Board Member Mickey McKenzie, former Board Member Tom Sellers, and former Board Member Jimmy Jones wait for the big announcement.
Current and former Foundation Board Members, left to right, Tom Sellers, Jessica Kultgen, Paul Harvey, Sharon Helm, and Charles Helm gather for a surprise announcement about the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation.
