We are thrilled to share some exciting news with our community! Last week, during the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet, The Caring Place was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition celebrates our "unwavering commitment to the betterment of Georgetown" for nearly 40 years.
The Caring Place received this honor because it "has grown from a grassroots effort to serve all who needed help, regardless of background or circumstance, to become a pillar of support for Georgetown,” and northern Williamson County. This achievement is a testament to “the vision of community leaders, the dedication of countless volunteers, a caring staff, and the generosity of Georgetown as a whole… “It continues to be a shining example of what can happen when people come together to lift up those who need it most.”
Our journey began nearly 40 years ago when Georgetown faced a crisis. The economy had collapsed, families were struggling, and local churches were overwhelmed with requests for assistance. Two visionary women, Yolanda Branson and Marty Maxwell, recognized the need for a coordinated response. With the support of the Georgetown Ministerial Alliance, they established an organization that could serve all who needed help.
From operating out of a donated, cleaned-up old slaughterhouse with only a few bags of donated clothes and $17 of donations, The Caring Place has come a long way. It has become a cornerstone of support for our community. Last year alone, we provided over $4.4 million in resources to our neighbors. The revenue generated through our thrift stores supports The Caring Place’s operating costs, so donated dollars and food donations go directly to helping our neighbors with food, housing, utility assistance, transportation support, and other basic human services. Since we got our start in 1985, we have expanded our service area to include not only Georgetown but also Andice, Bartlett, Florence, Granger, Jarrell, Jonah, Schwertner, Walburg, Weir, and the portion of Hutto within GISD. In 2024, we had 11,391 unique neighbors come to us for help, receiving multiple services that made a significant difference in their lives.
This award is for everyone who has been involved in helping The Caring Place accomplish its mission over the years. It is a recognition of the collective effort and dedication of our community to care for its neighbors. We are deeply grateful for the support and generosity that has made our work possible.
As we celebrate this milestone, and although we’ve grown we remain committed to our mission: to provide for the basic human needs of all people in our community in a welcoming, respectful and caring way. Thank you for being a part of our journey and for continuing to support The Caring Place.
Congratulations to everyone involved, and here's to many more years of making a difference together!
