Paris, Tenn.–Henry County Helping Hand is preparing for this year’s fundraiser by leveraging technology.
The Henry County Helping Hand board met Monday, October 2 to plan for the upcoming application window and for the 2024 Helping Hand Radio Auction. Fifteen board members and one past board member were present.
The Helping Hand Radio Auction had a record-breaking year, raising $519,825 for over 90 non-profit and public service organizations in 2023.
At its recent meeting, the Helping Hand Board of Directors approved several IT upgrades, including:
- The grant application process is migrating online. This year’s application will be available for download at henrycountyhelpinghand.com and the Helping Hand Facebook page. Completed applications can be emailed to Helping Hand or printed and submitted via US Mail. Next year the application process may be entirely online.
- If possible, a hardwired internet connection will be installed so auctions can be livestreamed online in real time. • Computer hardware and software are being upgraded to replace obsolete systems.
President Bruce Reed said Helping Hand had a record-breaking year because of all the hard work of the board, volunteers, and generous donors in our community. Reed is looking forward to 2024 being another successful year. New board members were introduced:, Marilyn Oliver (Area 1), Kevin Buie (Area 2), Oneida Waggoner (Area 3), David Flowers (Area4), and Allie Harper (Area 5).
Treasurer Caroline Dunn and Secretary Allie Harper have stepped up to replace the positions of Susan Bell and Mary Kate Ridgeway who served in those positions for many years. Reed thanked Dunn and Harper for all the work they have done so far. Dunn and Harper have been in contact with Bell and Ridgeway to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible.
Some of the new changes discussed that will begin immediately are changes to the application process. These ideas sparked last year and will be implemented this year. The application committee has been meeting for the past several months to update and improve the application process. Changes to the Helping Hand Application were presented by Rob Whitfield. The new application will be a form-fillable PDF that will be available to download from henrycountyhelpinghand.com or from Henry County Helping Hand’s Facebook page.
Applicants are encouraged to type into the document, but if needed, applicants can print it out and hand write on a hard copy. The biggest change being that applicants will no longer be able to pick up a copy in person. This is a learning year and a year of change, so all board members agreed that if any applicants have a difficult time with this please contact Helping Hand by email and they will be happy to assist you. There will be two ways to turn in the application. Completed applications can be emailed to: helpinghand1695@gmail.com or mailed via USPS to Henry County Helping Hand, P.O. Box 22 Paris, TN 38242. All applicants will receive a receipt as soon as possible when their application has been received.
In addition to those changes, the application has also been shortened to streamline the process. The application states that Helping Hand may request supplemental information/documentation from applicants if needed. Applicants can add additional pages if needed to describe their grant project. Helping Hand will also be verifying applicants’ tax-exempt status with the IRS’s online database of tax-exempt organizations (https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/) using the applicant’s EIN.
Helping Hand will use EMAIL as the primary form of communication with applicants. Application questions will not be addressed via Facebook messenger. Please direct all questions to helpinghand1695@gmail.com It is VERY IMPORTANT that applicants provide an email address that is regularly monitored. Applicants are encouraged to regularly monitor their SPAM folder. The application window will open October 16, 2023, and will close on November 17, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted. Applications must be postmarked or emailed by November 17th. Because of the new changes, we encourage all applicants to start the process early.
Other business discussed was the need for technology upgrades for administrative purposes. The board is also trying to find solutions to shorten the delay time of the live auction on the live stream. The hurdle for fixing that problem is the internet service at the venue, but there are plans underway to temporarily fix that problem during the auction.
2024 Henry County Helping Hand auction dates have been set for January 8 through February 28, 2024. If your organization or business would like to be added to the 2024 calendar, please make contact ASAP by emailing helpinghand1695@gmail.com. If you want to get more involved, there will be many volunteer opportunities during the auction and help is always welcomed. The board will meet again in December to review applications and to finalize plans for the 2024 auction. The board would like to thank the entire community for supporting Henry County Helping Hand and its mission to provide grants to local, not-for-profit organizations who continue to do amazing work in Henry County.
Photo: The Helping Hand board meeting at the UT Extension Office. Photo by Mary Kate Paschall.