House of Mercy holds gala, silent auction

The House of Mercy Enterprises [HOME] celebrated its Seventh Annual Gala at the Olney Civic Center on Sept. 20 by highlighting the work of its volunteers and staff who urged attendees to donate “time, talent and treasure” to the Bible- based human development program.

HOME this year served about two dozen residents from all over Texas, and boasts a five-year success rate of 85 percent in substance abuse relapses, director Preston Crow said. The gala featured the traditional meal of barbecue and all the trimmings, as well as filmed testimonials from longtime volunteers, some of whom graduated from the program.

Harrell Braddock Jr., pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Olney and a founding member of the HOME team, said he stayed involved with the program because “I love a success story.”

“I love to meet people where they are and help them to change,” he said.

He urged community members who want to support the program to “send a check or come in to meet the people or take a tour.”

Teacher- volunteer John Crow said he admires how residents “challenge each other to be better believers.”

“They come in in many different ways,” he said. “As they are connecting you see joy and peace take the place of fear and anxiety.”

His wife, Jan Crow, who teaches women’s Bible study, said she gains more from the program than her students do. “I can see so much growth from the first day,” she said.

Volunteers John and Becky Garvey said they love “loving on” the residents.

“These people need love and they eat it up,” Becky Garvey said.

Mike and Martha Green of Graham said they began volunteering by remodeling rooms at the House of Mercy and transitioned to leading a weekly group study session.

“We walk in wanting to bless people and we end up being blessed,” Martha Green said.

The Gala allows HOME to showcase the work it does and to raise money to cover the costs of treating people who cannot pay for their treatment.

Entertainment for this year’s House of Mercy Gala was handled by the Christian Warrior Retreat band. The band kept attendees entertained for the evening. Photo by Will Sadler