One of the founding components of our work at Hand Up Network has always been the goal of helping people who are going through a tough season in life. We live this every single day! Recently, we have had some key members of our team suffer some medical issues and to the credit of our team, they have rallied around our clients to ensure that we continue to set records for service to those that need our help. It’s impossible to put a number on the sacrifices made by our team, but they have truly been amazing in their efforts to not miss a beat in providing the help needed by our clients across East Texas!
Unfortunately, I am one of those members of our team that has suffered from medical issues. In July, I started feeling bad and soon was having surgery in August to address a diagnosis of colon cancer. Needless to say, no one wants to get this kind of news, but I have been blessed by an outstanding medical team and surrounded by our Hand Up Network Staff and Prayer Warriors as I have been undergoing chemotherapy this fall and will continue into Spring. The prognosis has been very positive, but the journey is still quite challenging and restricts my activities at times. This is a very personal matter but Hand Up Network is more important than my privacy….always. Thank you to everyone that has stood in the gap for me through prayer and support of Hand Up Network! It’s God’s ministry and He continues to help it shine!
The Hand Up Network team has made sure that no one has been left behind and we continue to expand our work when needed to help those who seek our help. Unfortunately, to make sure we don’t tax our operations to the point of limiting services, we have made the difficult decision to cancel our 2024 Christmas Gala and make our Auction an online event through December 13, 2024. The Gala is very popular with our support base, but it also takes a tremendous amount of time and effort to ensure it’s the type of event all expect. If we were to use our staff and resources to make this event as it always has been, it would impact our ability to help those that are seeking our services.
Click Here to support the 2024 Gala Auction
We just can’t allow our services to be impacted though the Gala is a significant fundraising vehicle for our ministry. We would ask that those that love and support our ministry to consider supporting the Online Auction where you will find some amazing offerings perfect for you or gifts for others. If you would prefer to support us via a donation or to volunteer, we would very much appreciate your help this year!
Thank you in advance for your understanding, prayers, and financial support! It’s an honor to be on God’s Team and when challenges are presented to us personally, we consider it the next testimony that God has provided.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and an amazing 2025!
– Sam
Samuel T. Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Hand Up Network
HAND UP NETWORK™ is a 501c3 non-profit based in Tyler, TX. The Network offers long-term programs to people seeking a new season in life and response teams designed to address community issues and emergency response. They are not a welfare organization but come alongside people that are serious about changing their lives for the better. The harder you work towards your own success the harder Hand Up Network will work alongside you! HUN has impacted over 675,000 people throughout East Texas since it started in January of 2019
PR and MEDIA CONTACT
903-597-5334
Sam, I am so sorry to hear this and will pray and keep you in our prayers daily. Chemo is very difficult however it and God will bring you thru this difficult time. Know we care and love you!