Volunteer Spotlight
Debbie Cooper
"Hello, I’m Debbie Cooper. I have been volunteering at The Ballard House since before it
was built. I was on the original team that promoted TBH to various hospital staff as well
as local community groups. It was an exciting time for everyone to know of such a place coming to Katy, TX.
In the first days at TBH there were few a volunteers and everyone did everything! Even
though I was working full time, I was able to contribute in the evenings. It was amazing to see the transformation each week until finally, we were ready for guests--The day that so many people were looking forward to: Like giving birth to a huge, beautiful baby!
I remember the year before the build started, Erin Ballard and I started a bunch of Plumarias in my garage. I babysat them until the house was finished and the landscaping was completed. We planted them each Spring, fed them all Summer, dug them up each Fall for protection over the Winter. The storage building eventually was
not big enough for both the Christmas Village and the plants so we took some home. We also planted numerous Citrus trees donated from Enchanted Gardens, those froze and eventually the new building was built there.
We didn’t have a community meal every night so the volunteers would rummage through the panty and pull together a meal. Guests or volunteers would run to the grocery to pick up items to complete the meal. We really were creative… hahaha! Today TBH overflows with food and love from so many community groups.
I retired in 2020 and have been loving life more. I am a certified Master Gardener, Nana to 2 beautiful granddaughters (1yr and 3yr), and wife to Dan-our Cancer survivor. I love playing Pickleball, practicing Yoga, and especially love leading Bible study at Carriage Inn Assisted Living. We are especially thankful for our little church in Simonton, TX.
Throughout the 10+ years of volunteering at TBH, I have been blessed to make longtime friends with both volunteers and guests. Covering the front desk as a Tuesday Night Owl, I checkin/checkout guests, help the groups that bring dinner and generally keep everyone happy. I have learned how to “mess around” with TV’s until they work
properly, fold fitted sheets, and just love people thru their hard day.
Thank you, The Ballard House, for all you do for me."
-Debbie
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