The Jesse Tree has been active on the Peninsula for a number of years. Currently, they are working with UTMB and the Galveston County Health Department attempting to get some sort of medical services for the Peninsula. The following is an open letter from Ted Hanley, Executive Director of the Jesse Tree (posted on their Facebook site). If you can help this worthy cause, please do so. Thank you, Edith Watson

A message from Ted Hanley, Executive Director: The Jesse Tree has once again come to a serious crossroad. We desperately need your help. We have had to severely cut back on staffing and services and unless we receive operating funds immediately, these valuable services will end:

• Food Fairs at several county locations. Each one bringing fresh fruit and produce to hundreds of families while introducing them to healthcare options and social services,
• Chronic Conditions Management classes at each location. Teaching individuals and families to “take action” to improve their chronic medical and social conditions,
• The Health Equipment Loan Program, Medical Supplies and Prescription Assistance,
• The Beach Patrol Survivor’s Support Network and other valuable programs.
• Case-Management serving as a model program to integrate healthcare, social services and ministerial assistance.

We have been offered a matching grant of $100,000 toward rebuilding The Jesse Tree. Your immediate response with a check will double your support for The Jesse Tree and prevent us from further cutbacks or closing our doors. The storm funding put a tremendous strain on our cash flow and the required audits are time consuming and very expensive. This is an urgent appeal for your immediate help.

In rebuilding The Jesse Tree, we have invested in a state-of-the art software system that will increase our ability to obtain funding to help the poor, uninsured and those desperately attempting to make it on low-wage jobs. We are helping working people to stay working and to stay healthy so they can support themselves and their families. Please help us keep them afloat. In fact, we can help you and your employees learn where and how to get the help and healthcare needed.

The funds generated from the few sports cars that were sold created the perception that The Jesse Tree is flush with cash. Although this carried us through the post-storm period and allowed us to assist the community; the remaining vehicles have not been sold, as the market is very poor. We need your help.

The Jesse Tree Branch office and property at 1006 West Canal in Crystal Beach is for sale. Purchasing the property at $30,000 it would be a good investment for someone’s future and will be a great help to The Jesse Tree. We are tightening our belts and hoping to sell two beautiful fourteen-passenger vans. Both are in excellent condition and the proceeds will help rebuild the program.

We know that there are many worthy programs and projects that need your time and your financial support. We have always practiced good stewardship and found ways to increase your investment in our work making every penny count. We were proud to step to the plate to help rebuild the community after Hurricane Ike, but, we received absolutely no funding to rebuild our losses from the storm. We have been in difficult straits before, but this is the most desperate situation we have faced, because there is so much to lose and so many who depend upon us for help. Please act now. Double your support for The Jesse Tree by helping us match the $100,000 challenge grant today.

Your contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the IRS, as The Jesse Tree is a 501c3, non-profit organization. Help us help others. To inquire about the property or passenger vans, please email us at info@jessetree.net or call us at 409 762 2233 and please view our website at www.jessetree.net. Send your contributions to The Jesse Tree, PO Box 575, Galveston, TX 77553 – Thank you for your help.