HAGA to Host Glazing for the Needy
September 22, 2011

By Sahely Mukerji, smukerji@glass.com

The Houston Area Glass Association (HAGA) will host its community service project, Glazing for the Needy, on September 24 in South Houston. All glass, labor and donations will be provided by HAGA members, says Dorothy Gurka, HAGA executive director.

"Last year HAGA sponsored the event and assisted 28 homes. Our goal for 2011 is 35 homes," Gurka says.

The idea behind the event came together in the late '80s when Jack Tippit, then president of HAGA, asked board member J.C. Carrillo to come up with a charitable community service project that would represent what glass people represent, Gurka says. "J.C. brought the idea home to his wife, Mattie, and they brainstormed. Mattie contacted the Agency on Aging and the Neighborhood Centers and offered their plan." The project would involve fixing broken windows for the elderly homeowners in the greater Houston area who lived on fixed incomes. To let people know about the project they sent out sign-up sheets to be posted at the community centers frequented by the elderly.

Last year, "we went by a house … then neighbor started calling neighbor [and] by 2 p.m., we had completed 10 houses in that area," Gurka says. "We called our other two trucks to that area to help. They were so appreciative! It was a great feeling."

This year, Mario Lopez, HAGA president, and his wife Irene have contacted Meals on Wheels and Neighborhood Centers to direct HAGA to those in need, Gurka says.

"We are proud to announce that a Glazing for the Needy Appreciation Award will be presented at the HAGA membership meeting on October 13 by U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee," Lopez says.

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