The year 2020 brought about many changes to the way we live and work, some good, some not good. The pandemic brought a halt to the primary ways The Ultimate Gift of Life was reaching out to people to work toward their mission. They were no longer able to attend booth events or speak to various groups to raise awareness about organ donation and register new donors. It also limited their ability to raise funds which is a requirement to keep a 501c3 non-profit status. The operation in New Mexico was restricted even more so than the Texas operations.
Since 2015, Judy Mancillas had been heading up the programs in New Mexico. In November of 2020, Judy got married and moved to Texas. The Board of Directors decided that along with Judy’s move, the New Mexico operations could also be moved.
According to information at donatelife.net, 95% of Americans are in favor of being an organ donor, but only 58% are registered. While organ donor registration awareness is needed everywhere, the population in New Mexico is only about 2.1 million while the population in Texas is over 29 million. There is more opportunity to register new organ donors in Texas. Currently, there are about 108,000 people in the U.S. waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.
The Executive Director, Kristy Vandenberg is headquartered in Kerrville, Texas and will continue to reach out to the Southern part of the state. Judy Whaley is based in Hamilton, TX and will be working areas in the Northern part of the state.
They are available to set up a booth at your event or to come speak to your group, employees or class.
They have a great volunteer base working with them and they welcome others who would like to help.
If you have a heart for what they are doing to help register new organ donors, please consider a tax-deductible donation.
For more information visit www.theultimategiftoflife.com or contact Kristy or Judy.
Kristy Vandenberg
PO Box 295071
Kerrville, TX 78029
830-792-9197
kristy@theutimategiftoflife.com
Judy Whaley
PO Box 161
Hamilton, TX 76531
575-430-3671
judy@theultimategiftoflife.com
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