Rotary Club of Richmond Distributes Financial Assistance from Connecticut Club

Shereen Sampson, Abigail’s Place; Sussan Martinez and Larry Pittman, Richmond Rotary; Jose and Vilma Penate, Viva Plus Furniture and Karen Bell, Richmond Rotary.

Rotary Club of Richmond was able to assist a local non-profit, Abigail’s Place, with financial help from  out of state. After Hurricane Harvey hit the area, rotary clubs from around the country activated to assist the Houston area rotary clubs in their communities.  Some clubs reached out individually, like the Rotary Club of Old Saybrook, in the towns of Old Saybrook, Old Lyme and Westbrook, Connecticut. Knowing the Richmond Texas area had been impacted, they reached out to Rotary Club of Richmond President Larry Pittman to offer $5,000 to support families impacted by the Harvey flooding. The only stipulation the Old Saybrook Club had was the money had to be used for Richmond families.

Rotary Club of Richmond then worked with Fort Bend Recovers to identify a family on Riveredge Drive who needed bedding and furniture.  That family led the club to Viva Plus Furniture of Rosenberg and owners Jose and Vilma Penate. The Penates were very generous in working with the family and delivering everything same day at no charge.

Richmond Rotary Club then worked with Abigail’s Place, a Fort Bend County non-profit that serves single mothers battling episodic homelessness, providing short term housing assistance until the family gets back to stability.  Abigail’s Place was working with two families left temporarily homeless after Harvey. While Abigail’s Place found temporary housing, these families were without most of their belongings and basic necessities.

Rotary Club of Richmond again turned to Jose and Vilma Penate of Viva  Plus Furniture to purchase furniture, bedding, televisions and other accessories for these two families. The Penates continued their generosity by stretching the financial assistance for these two families to secure more necessities!

Rotary Club of Richmond was grateful to have community members such as the Penates who step up when others are in need. It is amazing what happens when community comes together for the common good.