DALLAS—Christa Wood, 10, was watching the news on Haiti with her babysitter when she decided she had to do something.

“It’s like I had no choice. I had to do something,” Wood said.

Wood, a fourth-grade student from Saginaw, and her babysitter, Julie Sanderson, talked over the situation and came up with the idea of Hugs for Haiti.

Lara Deviller, Wood’s mom, said that the program started as something that was just in her daughter’s school, but has grown into something bigger. Drop-off stations now include Wal-Mart, 1st Convenience Bank and several restaurants, shops, multiple schools and other businesses in Saginaw.

“Right now we’re at close to 600 bears,” Deviller said.

Wood said that she was determined to do something “incredible” and added that stuffed toy donations are something practical that kids can give away.

“And I think it’ll be good for the kids in Haiti because it’ll make them feel safe and give them something to love,” she said.

Matt Asato, director of international humanitarian aid at Buckner said he is encouraged to see young people stepping up to help the orphans in Haiti.

“These children are dealing with significant trauma and the gift of a stuffed animal will go a long way to comfort them alongside the other vital aid we’re collecting and sending.”

Hugs for Haiti can also be dropped off at the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid at 5405 Shoe Drive Mesquite, Texas 75149. Call 214-328-7463 to schedule a time for delivery.

By Analiz G. Schremmer

HOUSTON—Jimmy Johnson, who has served as administrator and interim executive director at Parkway Place, a Buckner senior living community, was named executive director effective Jan. 1.

“Jimmy is able to apply his business smarts and knowledge about the continuum of care to lead well,” said Pearl Merritt, president of Buckner Retirement Services. “He is also greatly loved by the residents and has a great deal of heart and compassion.”

Charlie Wilson, vice president of operations at Buckner Retirement Services, said that he is very confident in Johnson’s leadership.

“Jimmy brings compassion for older adults and strong business acumen to Parkway Place,” he said.

Before working at Parkway Place, Johnson worked at HCR – Manor Care where he was responsible for the overall management of skilled nursing and assisted living. He also worked as executive director at Sears Methodist Retirement System in Abilene, Texas from 2000-2005.

“It truly is an honor to lead within Buckner in this capacity,” Johnson said. “Buckner is recognized and well respected in the community and state as a leader of innovative work with older adults in healthcare and independent living. I hope to bring a new level of quality of care and customer service to our residents and staff this coming year.”

Jimmy Johnson and his wife Judy have two sons, Christopher and Joel, and four grandsons.

By Jenny Pope
Buckner International

DALLAS – When the news of Haiti’s earthquake reached the United States on Jan. 12, Randy Daniels, director of global operations for Buckner, was glued to his TV.

“It was about 5 p.m. on Tuesday, and all I could do was sit in front of my television and try to better understand the tragedy,” he said.

Daniels and a group of leaders from Dayspring Family Church in Irving, Texas had visited Haiti one month before the earthquake to tour ministries, hospitals and orphanages as part of an exploratory trip. Read the rest of this entry

Almost three weeks after the earthquake that shattered the lives of Haitians, Dillon International continues to receive dozens of adoption-related calls daily and is raising support for an orphanage and hospital collaboration.

Cindy Davison, public relations and marketing director for Dillon, Buckner’s international adoption affiliate, said Dillon “has received 882 online pre-screening forms so far from families interested in adopting from Haiti when adoptions resume.”

Davison explained there is a continuing moratorium on processing new adoptions from Haiti “so that displaced children and family members can first be reunited.  We are expecting this to take one-two years before new adoptions from Haiti would resume.” 

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DALLAS – Buckner International will ship two containers of humanitarian  to benefit children and families affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that has claimed the lives of more than 100,000 people in Haiti and left more than 600,000 people homeless, according to the United Nations.

One shipment of medical supplies and cots will be sent by air, through the Dominican Republic and into Haiti, to benefit the children and families receiving aid at Hope Hospital in Port Au Prince, said Matt Asato, director of humanitarian aid.

“The other container will be filled with about 24,500 pairs of new shoes next Thursday, Feb. 4. We’ll be sending that container to Florida where we’ve partnered with Holy Cross Lutheran Church. They will be distributing the shoes in Haiti to orphans and families through their connections with Food for the Poor,” he said.

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PORT AU PRINCE — Since the 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Port Au Prince, Haiti on Jan. 12, Buckner International has been working with partners at Hope Hospital and the Children’s Village orphanage to provide financial resources and humanitarian aid. These images, taken by photographer Mo Sadjadpour, provide an inside look at the devastation and some of the children who are receiving care through Hope Hospital and Children’s Village.

To help support Buckner’s crisis relief work in Haiti, please click here.
To collect humanitarian aid for Haiti, click here for a list of needed items.

By Jenny Pope
Buckner International

DALLAS – It was the Friday before Christmas and the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid was packed with families, excited children, toys and food. Dozens of volunteers were beaming from ear to ear and Christmas music was humming as each family proceeded through the well-organized receiving line. Gift cards, turkeys, shoes and toys soon filled their arms.

Albert Reyes edged among them, walking alongside a young mother and talking in Spanish. As the noisy room began to swallow their conversation, he showed increasing concern. Tears were knocking the brims of his eyes as the mother explained her condition – she was sleeping on the floor in a friend’s apartment, along with her four children. She needed a mattress. Read the rest of this entry

DALLAS – The Board of Directors of Buckner Foundation named David M. Slover president Jan. 22.

As the president of Buckner Foundation, Slover leads advancement efforts to support the nearly $100-million operating budget of Buckner International and its subsidiaries, Buckner Children and Family Services and Buckner Retirement Services.

As president, Slover oversees the daily operations of Buckner Foundation. He is tasked with directing the Foundation’s fund-raising, public relations and marketing efforts, establishing and building donor relationships, and managing Foundation assets to support the ministries of Buckner.

“David has done a tremendous job establishing Buckner Foundation over the past four years, and he is poised to take the Foundation even further in its role to help secure much-needed resources for Buckner’s ministries worldwide,” said Mike McDougal, chair of the Buckner Foundation Board of Directors.

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DALLAS — Albert L. Reyes was elected as the sixth president in the 131-year history of Buckner International Jan. 22, succeeding Kenneth L. Hall, who remains with Buckner as Chief Executive Officer.

Reyes served previously as president of Buckner Children and Family Services, a position he has held since 2007. Prior to joining Buckner, he was president of Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio.

Scott McIlveene, chair of the Buckner board of trustees, said Reyes was the only candidate considered to replace Hall, who was elected to the post in 1993. Reyes will report directly to the board of trustees.

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