The Inside Informer

Summer

By Carol Bettis

What a summer thus far!! Record heat, no rainfall, uncertainty of funding……. But we can still count our

blessings!! Panhandle Community Services is in a position to help so many of our neighbors throughout the

26 county area that may not otherwise have a cool home, or be able to pay their bills, or transportation to go

to work. Sometimes, we get so caught up in the negative and “Have Not’s”, that we forget how much we

have.

As of right now, much of our funding is uncertain, but PCS will continue to serve those in need. We are a

strong, caring agency with over 40 years of service to the Texas Panhandle and over 100 employees who

strive to give their best every day. It is my pleasure to serve with each of you “Making life better, one family

at a time”. We are successful in service because of the attitudes of our staff.

I love what Charles Swindoll says about attitude:

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or

skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will

embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we

can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that

life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

“And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes."

Phyllis

Panhandle Community

Services

3rd Quarter 2011

Page 2

The Inside Informer

PCS Family

Friday

A Word From the Directors by Jim Jarvis

CEAP

Angie: During the second quarter a total of 31,673 persons were

served encompassing 5,591 Panhandle households—totaling $1.4M!

“We are the hardest working department in PCS!”

Transit

Lylene: Transportation completed a total of 68,119 trips and covered

341,979 miles during the second quarter! “WOW! My

department rocks!”

WXTG

Ken: During the 2nd quarter, we’ve weatherized 103 houses and spent

$730,659! “We won’t give up until we reach the top!”

HUD

Sherry: We spent $2,046,819. We currently have 1,586 housed

We have 770 waiting in applications “Hats off to all HUD staff”

Canyon High School graduate jumps

right in to serving his Country.

Ian Gilmore graduated last May from Canyon High School and enlisted in the Navy, he is leaving the 18 of July for Boot Camp, after Boot Camp he will be going to school to become an Operations Specialist. He plans to get his college degree while he serves his enlistment, and then attend Law School. He is also planning to return to the Navy after Law School and make his

career as a JAG.

Sent by: Robert Gilmore, father

.

PCS Family News: Congratulations to Jim Jarvis’ son for joining the Air Force in April. James is currently assigned to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio and is in training as a flight crew member as an Airborne Warning and Control Systems Operator. Jim is extremely proud of his son and will be going to San Antonio in September to pin on his son’s “wings”! After that, James will be going to Mississippi, Florida, and Washington State for additional aircrew training. We wish him the best of luck in all his future

Air Force endeavors! James Jarvis Jim Jarvis

Photo Taken: June 2011 “ Following In his father Jim’s foot steps” Photo Taken: July 2007

The Inside Informer Page 3

Family Time. Last May was a special family gathering for Caroline Hawkins attending her Grandson’s Graduation in Decatur,

Texas.

Caroline has been with PCS many years and has been a supporter of the Inside Informer with her wonderfully told stories about the PCS Offices, Staff, and

clients.

Caroline is currently working with the

HUD program in Dumas.

Jaime Adrian Cavazos Jr.

“New Boy in Town”

Born June 14, 2011 9lbs 11oz.

He is the precious handsome tenth grandson for Estella Salinas in Dimmitt. His very proud parents are Estella’s son Jamie Adrian Cavazos and Jessica Ibarra from Amarillo.

Congratulations!

Sent in by: Estella Salinas

Mattlee Rose Fischbacker

(Five Days old)

Congratulations to Lylene Springer on the birth of her new granddaughter, Mattlee Rose Fiischbacher! Born on June 11th, at 9:46 pm, she is already taking after her grandmother with her charming personality and demeanor! In fact, Grandma wants all of you to know that she’s a precious, perfect, and beautiful

baby doll!

By Jim Jarvis

The Inside Informer Page 4

Belo is Kent

HAILS AND FAREWELLS

From; Jim Jarvis

Hails:

Keith Rosicker, our new Director of Finance, comes to us from KFR Tax and Financial Solutions in Amarillo! He and his wife Rita are excited about him joining our team as they celebrate the birth of their twins, a boy and girl born July 27. They also have 2 sons; Edmund and Arunas ages 4 and 2 respectively. Phyllis says that Keith has a calming

effect on all of us!

Gradena Phipps is our new Payroll Administrator and comes to us from Casteel Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems in Amarillo! Gra is married to Jim Phipps and has one daughter, Hannah, who just got married on July 23rd! She also has a grandson, Latham, and he’s 2 years old—and Gra said he’s a handful! We are so glad to have

Gra with us and enjoy her team spirit and great attitude!

Sonja Cuellar is our new Main Receptionist in Amarillo! She is excited about working with us and is engaged to Ronnie Ybarra. She has 3 children; Sean, Jason, and Destiny ages 7, 5, and 21 months respectively! Sonja has a great demeanor and is a real pleasure to be around! Although she’s been here less than 2 weeks, Sonja said she

loves it here already!

Shannon Gonzales is our new Accounting Clerk and will be Keith’s right hand! She is comes to us from Gonzales Moving and Storage in Amarillo. Shannon has her BBA in Accounting from West Texas A & M and an Associates in Applied Sciences from Amarillo College. Shannon has a 6

year old daughter, Nevaeh, and is also happy to be here!

Rose Anderson is working out of our Borger office as a HUD Program Specialist. She comes to us from the city of

Borger and we’re glad she’s here!

To accomplish great things we must not only

act, but also dream, not only plan, but also

believe.. Anatole France

When you have the opportunity be sure to welcome the new

employees.

Welcome to our newest members in CEAP; Mary

Powell and Mark Cobb!

Mary is assigned to our Tulia office and loves being a mother to her 3 sons Cameron, Colton, and Coy; ages 18, 16, and 12! Mary loves her new job and stated that she likes the fact that her actions have a direct and

positive affect on the community in which she lives!

Mark is assigned to Amarillo CEAP and absolutely loves his position of helping people! He is also a Pastor of a local church. He came to us with a vast experience in helping others in various programs to include the United Cerebral Palsy of Pittsburgh, Foster Care, and

general pastoring.

Welcome to our newest transit drivers; Edna Soliz,

Randy Motsenbocker, and Anna Stinson. These drivers are working out of our Hereford, Childress, and Dumas offices and we’re so glad they are here! We look forward of hearing about all of their great

customer service successes in the future!

Welcome to our new PR-HUD employee. She will be working with Linda and Mary, and her name is Labrina Perry. She has three girls and one boy, She was born an Okie, and raised a Texan. We are very glad

to have her with us.

Farewells:

Unfortunately we had to say good bye to Cassie

Pointer! She was a Program Specialist in our Tulia office and accepted a position with the Sherriff’s office working administrative duties. Cassie was a real

pleasure and joy to be around—and is surely missed!

The Inside Informer Page 5

HOT!

Letter of Appreciation

Dear CH,

There are so many things that those of us who have been assisted by Panhandle Community Services have to remember and praise each of you for your generous help. I did not qualify for Medicaid, I received $257.00 for Social Security and felt that I could get a little help, and I had no place to turn, and someone sent me to your offices and felt that I could

get a little help, and help you and your helpers did.

It was snowing and very wet and I had no money to buy shoes. I had on rags I’d had on the last day I had in my home, and did not have but a few cents

to buy gasoline for my car.

Since I was not eligible for assistance, C H and her helper gave me a coupon for shoes at Bob’s Self Shoes, a basket of groceries and through their generosity I had food a pair of warm comfortable shoes. I was so very humiliated, I’d never before asked for charity. God laid it on my heart to ask the right people and from the goodness of peoples heart, I too was so blessed. Food was for a starving person. Have you ever been so hungry you felt you as if you could eat a can of corn, a loaf of bread or anything you could find to eat? Have you ever been so cold you felt you would never be warm again? You close your mind and make yourself thing of better days and fall asleep only to

awaken to the cold, bleak day ahead again.

My brother was in Donna, TX for the winter and he let me stay in his house and in fear I’d sleep against the front door. I let him know I’d found his

shotgun and would I use it if anyone tried to break in.

CH, thank you for giving me a way to keep alive and giving me out of your pocket the food you

paid for, and the shoes that kept my feet warm.

Perhaps the hope I was given that day made me rise to the challenge to be sure not to ever let

myself ever be lost in the world of false promise again.

Sincerely,

LM

Friday June 24th at 4:24

The temperature continues to be unbearably high in our this area of the country. The hottest, driest, summer ever, and no end insight. With all of this, Texas is

still the best place to live by far.

Transportation News

Patti Stewart has been promoted to Transportation Operations Coordinator starting July 25th. Patti has been a driver for PCS for about 5 years, and the past 2 years she has been at the Call Center in

Canyon.

Congratulation to Patti!

.

The Inside Informer Page 6

By Carol Bettis Honolulu International Airport

5/6/11

Hawaii time 2:30 pm Amarillo time 7:30pm

Beautiful Hawaii, where else to start celebrating our 40th anniversary then on this beautiful island.

Three different airlines bringing one family to join up for a Hawaiian 8 day vacation. All three airlines landed within 15 minutes of each other. Alas! All 13 of us here, after an 11 hour flight from Amarillo, the family met at the luggage area. After many greetings hugs and kisses, we collected our bags, (no lost luggage) and found a shuttle to take us to our hotel on Waikiki Beach. We explored our hotel on Lewers Street, with only a 5 minute walk to the beach. Later in the evening we found the Cheese Cake Factory to get the trip off to a good start! The long day caught up with us around midnight, and we fell in bed only to awake at our Amarillo time, with all of Hawaii still asleep, we waited for the sun to rise, and it was an aw inspiring sight, a beautiful morning, and another long day ahead of us. The average temperature is 87 degrees in Hawaii. Even in the rain! We visited Pearl Harbor, took the Circle Island Tour, Polynesian Culture Center, and Luau , played on the beach, snorkeled , sailing , and shopping at ABC Stores! Sometimes we would rest ! The trip was a wonderful experience, and everyone went home totally exhausted ! Some of the family are already making plans for another family adventure

in a few years. Dean and I are going to take time to play with our family, every chance we get.

L-R My husband & best friend, Dean Bettis, my sister in-law, Barbara, me, son-in-law Jimmy, our granddaughter Amanda, & husband John, our daughter Teresa, nephew Lance, Shawna, & Kennedy, brother Chet and wife Doris, and last but certainly not least our

grandson Dusty.

Traveling with a PCS Family Waikiki Beach, and Diamond

Head volcano.

2011 Armed Forces Golf Tournament

This year’s annual Armed Forces golf tournament was an outstanding success. In fact, there were several players who arrived and we had to turn them away due to a limit of 120 players only. We anticipate 2012 to reap similar success as many players were already asking me

about the time and date for next year’s event!

At around 6:A.M. on July 9th, 2011, volunteers started to arrive and prepare for another great golf tournament at Palo Duro Creek Golf Club in Canyon, TX! Soon thereafter, golfers started to arrive also and were immediately welcomed with donuts, breakfast burritos, and a cheerful good morning by our outstanding volunteers who made this event such a success! Later, the General Manager for Pete’s Car Smart brought two 2011 Kia’s as hole-in-one prizes for the tournament and for show. Other hole-in-one prizes included $10,000 in cash and a set of golf clubs from Lisa Held at Golf Headquarters. Unfortunately, none of these hole-in-one prizes were won, although

numerous other great prizes were given away that were donated by many of our great sponsors.

Our tournament has a military appreciation theme and the greens flags on holes number 9 and 18 were replaced by the American flag. These pins were carefully tended by our country’s great service members who represented the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. It was an

honor and privilege to witness these fine young men and women honor our flag and nation with such dignity and respect!

Finally, I want to thank all of our great sponsors to include R.S.V.P, Panhandle Community Services, and the many others that helped

make this tournament such a great success!

R.L. ”Dick” Johnson

Judge adjutant

Roan-Creek Detachment 992

Marine Corps League

Co-Chairman, Armed Forces Golf Op’s

Page 7 The Inside Informer

Above Larry Frysinger, Dick Johnson (LaRue’s husband) Tournament Team winners are Lee Baker (Sports Channel 7

TV) Hank Liotart. Second year in a role for them to win.

The Inside Informer Page 8

RSVP Fund Raiser “WIN IT IN

A MINUTE”

“And the Grand Prize of $1500.00 goes to Canyon

Snack Pak 4 Kids”

Snack Pak 4 Kids Canyon

Opportunity Link ASCA

Le History

The Inside Informer Page 9