Houses for Healing needs volunteers
By Sam Waller
Members of Albany Methodist Church are forming teams to assist with the Shackelford County House at Houses for Healing in Abilene.
Church and community members helped build the house in 2021 with volunteers signing their names on studs used in the construction.
“We can use all the help we can get,” team organizer Ellamae Walker said. “The reason why the Methodist Church is doing this is because we are the sponsors for the Shackelford County house. But this is a community-wide endeavor.”
Houses for Healing was begun in 2015 by Brian Massey. The ministry provides short-term housing for people receiving medical treatment in Abilene and their family members.
The Shackelford County house is one of 16 “tiny houses” that were constructed at 3065 Hickory St. in Abilene north of the Hardin-Simmons University campus.
“Brian had four houses across the street that have been open,” Walker said. “This is an expansion of that. He’s hoping to have a grand opening sometime in November for the additional 16 houses.”
Walker said the house has been almost completely stocked, but some items are still needed.
“We’ve got the kitchen and bathroom done and quite a bit of the bedroom,” she said. “People need to call me to see what items are needed.”
Once the house is open for use, Walker said, teams of volunteers will be needed to keep it running.
“We’ll have teams for maintenance, meals, cleaning, and transportation,” she said. “Anybody who wants to be on any of those teams can call me.”
In addition, Walker said, donations are being accepted to help cover expenses for the house.
“If anyone wants to give monetary donations, make the check out to Houses for Healing and put Shackelford County House in the memo,” she said. “If they want to make a monetary donation for meals, make the check out to Houses for Healing and put Shackelford County Pantry in the comment.”
Donations can be sent to Houses for Healing, PO Box 2320, Abilene TX 79604.
For more information, contact Walker at 325-762-4107.
