This article was written Deborah S,
Hands on Housing Program Coordinator.
Mr. Ponce, (83 years young), was referred to us by Meals on Wheels when a case manager found his home with gaping holes in the exterior siding, and unwelcome furry critters making Mr. Ponce’s home their own.
Mr. Ponce said a final goodbye to his wife of fifty years in 2009. They had moved into the home as newlyweds and ended up with a family of fourteen after 12 sons & daughters we born. He is now a proud grand-father and great-grandfather to more children and teenagers than he can count. Before retirement Mr. Ponce worked as a contract painter, as well as a lab technician at IBM in the computer assembly department. His most fond hobbies are gardening, lottery scratch-offs, and (slowly) walking his 2-year old Shih Tzu, Annie, at the neighborhood park. When asked about his most cherished memories he reminisced about his family of fourteen, when they were all alive, happy, healthy, and living under the same roof. He is now dependent on his trusty walker and loving daughter to get by in life, but his spirit remains high.
A power team from Oak Hill United Methodist Church combined forces with the First Unitarian Universalist and Midtown Churches in October to repair Mr. Ponce’s home, and give him a fresh coat of paint.
Want to volunteer to help a family in need? Submit interest as a team leader or individual volunteer for our April 7th Spring Blitz home painting and repair event to hoh@interfaithtexas.org. Experience is appreciated, but not necessary. We hope to see you there!
