WIMBERLEY CAJUN CULTURAL ALLIANCE PRESIDENT TRAVIS MARTIN PRESENTS A CHECK TO JAMIE CLARK OF MY BROTHER’S KEEPER. L TO R: BETH MITCHELL, RUTH MINCE, MADONNA KIMBALL, JAMIE CLARK, TRAVIS MARTIN, KRISTINA SANDIFER, HUEY SANDIFER, CALLIE JONES, ALLISON SEI
GumboFest raises thousands for local nonprofit
A fundraiser earlier this spring resulted in a $14,000 check for a local organization, My Neighbor’s Keeper.
In a ceremony on Saturday, June 24, the Wimberley Cajun Cultural Alliance presented the check to My Neighbor’s Keeper. The donation was the result of proceeds from GumboFest, held in April, on the grounds of the Cypress Falls Swimming Hole.
The president of WCCA, Travis Martin, presented the check to Jamie Clark, the president of My Neighbor’s Keeper — appropriately in front of the downtown mural, “Wimberley, A Little Bit of Heaven.”
In a wonderful display of synchronicity, the mural was commissioned by Tom Keyser, one of the founders of My Neighbor’s Keeper who died in 2022 and the person for whom the 2023 GumboFest was dedicated. An iconic symbol of Wimberley, and perhaps the town’s unofficial slogan, the mural was restored in 2021 by artist Cynthia Nuen.
“This is why we do it,” said GumboFest organizer Kristina Sandifer, referring to the substantial effort it takes to launch such an event. “We do it to support Wimberley nonprofits. This year was special because we set out to honor Tom and the great work of My Neighbor’s Keeper.” Citing their largest donation ever, Sandifur said, “I hope a disaster won’t prompt having to use this money, but it’s there if it is needed.”
My Neighbor’s Keeper is an aid organization that comes to the immediate assistance of Wimberley citizens who are victims of fire, floods, or other natural disasters. While major disasters can spark help from government agencies and other established entities, smaller calamities like home fires can leave neighbors in dire straits.
My Neighbor’s Keeper president and area realtor, Clark said she is thrilled to be a part of the organization that supports people during unfortunate circumstances.
“We truly are grateful to WCCC for choosing us to be the recipients of their hard work this year,” she said. “In addition to that, we appreciate tremendously the generosity and goodwill of our local community that has always stepped up to support us, and by extension, each other.”