From new member to president of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Mary’s Catholic Church

Charity begins at home, the old saying goes, and the numerous 501(c)3 nonprofits and charities in Wimberley do their best in being there for those in need. One organization that has helped many, regardless of religious affiliation, is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Betty Martin is the president of the organization.

“We don’t have fundraisers, we just want people to be able to find us,” Betty Martin, president of the local chapter, said. “We don’t believe in blowing our own horn. We seek out tragedy in the community and reach out to see if we can help. At times we are hand-in-hand with the Barnabas Connection. Wimberley is great. All the agencies work with each other. It’s a blessing here being in a smaller community.”

When Martin came to Wimberley, she wanted to give back. And it didn’t take long for her to find a way.

“After retirement and the move here I felt I wanted more than just writing a check… I did not plan on joining the organization on January 1 and being the president of the organization in that September,” Martin said. “And it is one more year for me.” She has served five years of a sixyear term.

She and her husband Joe retired and decided to look in the Central Texas area to spend their days. They first looked at Woodcreek but wanted a little land and a bit more space. They were moving from the suburbs and wanted to appreciate the beauty of the Hill Country.

Wanting to find something more suitable to their tastes, they were ready to leave the area but there was one last look at property in Spoke Hollow. It fit the bill, and they moved into the Wimberley Valley.

“I was soul searching, joining a number of organizations, the Civic Club, Bible study, choir. There was a choir member who was a member of St. Vincent de Paul, who got me interested,” she said. “It’s as much physical as spiritual… our goal is to build relationships with people. We go out to people’s homes and try to figure out different ways to help people help themselves.” She continued.

“Most clients help us with their good attitudes and their hopes to keep going…(although) St. Vincent gives a lot out, the clients give back.”

As for fundraising, “when we get tight on the budget, we let people know and they step in. It’s wonderful to be a part of the community.”

As for the organization, the president is really just the organizer of the meeting. “No decisions are made on my own. We have a set policy on funds. If you need an exception, send an email to the members (eleven of them) and a consensus is met… We’re blessed with no contentious meetings.”

Answering the phone recordings is the big responsibility of the group, and all participate on a rotating basis. They also have partnerships with businesses in town, such as with H-E-B‘s Christmas gift cards and Changes Resale Consignment Shop, formerly Life Changes.

After an estate sale at Changes, unsold items are picked up by members and taken to Canyon Lake for resale. “We pick up funds here and there, including from the Knights of Columbus,” she said.

St. Vincent operates within the parishes’ boundaries and when the need for help is bigger than what SVDP can offer, there are also members of numerous districts and organizations that can be relied on.

“Sometimes people are so overwhelmed, they can’t see the big picture. Emotions get in the way to make a decision. That’s why we talk to them.” Some problems can be solved, such as helping “a woman paying her property taxes but in arrears with a severely handicapped child. We helped her stay in her home.” Another example was helping a woman who needed a new roof that became a community effort with other organizations helping.

SVDP helps in the community by building relationships with those in need. According to the organization, “leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering.”

For more information on joining, donations or in need of help from the group, contact (512) 847-9181 or [email protected].