Our beloved retired Tivy High School secretary gave her heart to our community. Now we get to give back!
Meet Bessie - The Heart of Tivy High School
That radiant smile you see? That's Bessie. For 26 years+, she was the first warm welcome families received when they walked through the doors of Tivy High School in Kerrville, Texas. She wasn't just a secretary behind a desk – she was the guardian angel who encouraged students and build strong relationships, helped overwhelmed parents, and made everyone feel like family.
Every kind word. Every patient conversation. Every crisis she helped us navigate or football, basketball game she attended. Bessie poured her whole heart into our children and our community for over two decades, then moved on to our amazing hospital to serve in welcoming patients at the Ambulatory Care or waiting with families in the Surgery Waiting Room (She even waited and prayed with me during my husband's surgery as well!)
The Reality Behind the Smile
Bessie's home tells a story and it was her childhood home. She doesn't want to leave her home or her Doyle Community, but it needs our help! I'm sure you've seen "Fixer Upper" or the "Move that Bus" show on Television. Well, it's our turn to create and broadcast our own version of reality TV for Bessie Ann Fifer! She deserves it! While our Kerrville community has been focused on helping those impacted by the devastating Fourth of July flooding along the Guadalupe River, Bessie's housing crisis has been quietly growing worse – and it started long before the floodwaters rose. In fact, after two amazing Tivy seniors George & Anthony) were preparing to repair her outdoor shed, we realized she needed a whole new home. We were in the beginning stages of the project when the 4th of July occurred.
Bessie's home wasn't near the river. But that doesn't make her need any less urgent or any less deserving of our community's care, because when that rain came, it poured again straight into her home.
The rains have caused new leaks in her bathroom and other areas of the home.
A Perfect Storm of Challenges
Bessie's housing crisis comes at a difficult time for her:
- She recently underwent two knee replacement surgeries and is still recovering with limited mobility
- A small infection at her surgical site previously has complicated her healing at one point, but she is so strong and has gotten better with Physical therapy and prayer!
- She lost her supplemental job right before surgery because she couldn't physically manage the work with her bad knee
- Now she's trying to recover in a home that needs mobility structures while living on educator administrative retirement income
- Her fierce independence and pride mean she would never ask for help – which is exactly why she deserves it!
Why This Matters to Kerrville
The July 4th flooding reminded us all how precious and fragile safe housing can be. While we continue to support our flood-affected neighbors (and we absolutely must!), we cannot forget that housing crises existed before the waters rose – and Bessie's situation is equally urgent.
This isn't about choosing between helping flood victims or helping Bessie. Our community is big enough, strong enough, and caring enough to do both. We love Kerrville and surrounding towns in the Hill Country. Bessie's need for safe housing doesn't diminish others' suffering – it reminds us that housing security has been a challenge in our community that the disaster only highlighted.
This Isn't Charity – It's Gratitude in Action
For 26 years, Bessie invested in our families' futures. She celebrated our children's achievements, comforted them through difficulties, and supported parents through countless challenges. She taught me one important lesson, I hold close to this day... She said to me, "Kendall, don't let people STEAL your joy!" and I've never forgotten that advice! She brings joy where ever she goes and to so many people!
Think about it: How many students did she welcome on their first day? How many parents did she help navigate complicated situations? How many times did her gentle presence make a hard day better? OKAY.... now how many times did she get a message to your child in class even when you knew it wasn't really allowed at the time. :)
Every family she helped. Every child she encouraged. Every colleague she supported. Every moment she made our school feel like home. We owe her this.
Bessie's Pride
Here's the thing about Bessie – she would never ask for this help herself. Her dignity, independence, and pride are part of what we've always admired about her. That same strength that made her excellent at caring for others now makes it hard for her to accept care.
But that's exactly why we're doing this. This campaign represents our initiative, our gratitude, and our determination to honor someone who honored us for 26 years. We're not waiting for her to ask – we're stepping up because it's the right thing to do.
The Vision: A Safe Home for Bessie
We're raising funds (Account set up at Happy State Bank in Bessie's name) to give Bessie what she deserves and desperately needs: a safe, healthy home where she can focus on her recovery and enjoy the retirement she has earned.
The extent of the damage means this isn't about simple repairs. We need to:
- Demo and Rebuild the structurally compromised sections
- Eliminate all mold and prevent future growth
- Replace rotted framing and damaged walls
- Ensure proper weatherproofing
- Create a home that's safe for someone recovering from surgery
- Give her peace of mind and a lovely home that is dry, safe, and beautiful- Just like Bessie!
Our Goal: $300,000
We anticipate this will cover the complete demolition of the unsafe structure, professional construction of a new safe home, quality materials, skilled labor, proper permits and inspections, and contingency for unexpected needs. This isn't just about repairs – we're building Bessie the safe, beautiful home she deserves for her retirement years. Every dollar goes directly toward giving her the security and peace of mind she has earned.
Your Part in This Story
If Bessie touched your family's life, this is your moment. If she:
- Helped your child feel welcome at Tivy High School
- Supported you through a difficult conversation
- Made your day brighter with her kindness
- Was part of your Kerrville story
Then please consider contributing to her fund. Every donation – whether $10 or $1,000 – sends a powerful message: You mattered to us, Bessie. And we will not forget. Send this to your graduating class email list, friends, family, and anyone you can think of that would love to help!
How Funds Will Be Used:
✓ Complete demolition of unsafe structure
✓ Professional
architectural and engineering services
✓ New home construction
with quality materials
✓ Mold remediation and prevention
systems
✓ Proper permits, inspections, and code compliance
✓
Skilled labor and professional contractors
✓ Contingency fund for
unexpected needs
✓ Ensuring Bessie's home exceeds all safety standards
All funds will be managed transparently (with help of Marcus Fifer as well) with regular updates to our donors. This is a community project, and we're accountable to everyone who contributes.
SPECIAL CALL TO KERRVILLE PROFESSIONALS:
🏗️ We Need YOU to Help Build Bessie's Home!
While financial donations are crucial, we're also seeking Kerrville-area professionals willing to donate time, materials, expertise, or services:
BUILDERS & GENERAL CONTRACTORS: Can you lead or assist with the construction project?
DEMOLITION COMPANIES: Can you help safely demolish the existing unsafe structure?
FRAMERS, ELECTRICIANS, PLUMBERS: Can you donate skilled labor?
MATERIAL SUPPLIERS: Can you provide lumber, drywall, roofing, fixtures at cost or as donation?
ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS: Can you donate design and planning services?
HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: Can you assist with site preparation?
VOLUNTEERS: Can you help with general labor, cleanup, or project coordination?
📞 CONTACT US TO HELP: Email: drkendallyoung@gmail.com Phone: 830-377-5911 Subject: "Bessie Project - Professional Services or Volunteer or Contributor"
Every hour of donated time and every discounted material brings us closer to giving Bessie the home she deserves. Let's show what Kerrville professionals can do when we work together!
Beyond Money: How You Can Help (No SCAMMERS Please!)
💰 DONATE FUNDS - Every dollar counts toward the $250,000 goal- We have a special bank account at Happy State Bank for her that you can donate there as well, Zelle the money to her account, or give here with PayPal
🔨 DONATE SERVICES - Builders, contractors,
demolition experts needed
📧 Contact: drkendallyoung@gmail.com |
📱 830-377-5911
🏗️ DONATE MATERIALS - Lumber, fixtures, supplies at
cost or donated
📧 Contact: drkendallyoung@gmail.com with
"Materials Donation" in subject
👷 VOLUNTEER - General labor, cleanup, project
coordination
📧 Contact: drkendallyoung@gmail.com with
"Volunteer" in subject
📢 SHARE - Post on Facebook, Instagram, tell Bessie's story
🏢 CORPORATE SPONSORS - Business matching donations
or bulk material purchases
📧 Contact: drkendallyoung@gmail.com
with "Corporate Partnership"
🙏 PRAY - Keep Bessie and this project in your thoughts and prayers
We especially need Kerrville or Hill Country-area professionals! If you have construction expertise, equipment, or materials to donate, please reach out directly. This is a community build project, and we want local businesses and tradespeople to be part of Bessie's new beginning.
A Message to Bessie
Bessie, we know you're reading this with that mixture of gratitude and discomfort you always showed when anyone tried to thank you. You spent 26 years deflecting praise and putting others first.
But this time, it's not your choice (although your approval was given- thank you, Bessie!) This is our choice to give to you. We're choosing to show you the same care you showed us. We're choosing to honor your service. We're choosing to make sure someone who made our community better has the safe home she deserves.
You made Tivy High School feel like home for thousands of people. Now let us help make your house feel like the safe home you deserve.
Let's Show Kerrville's Heart
Our town has been through so much recently. The July 4th flooding tested us. But Kerrville has always been a place where neighbors take care of neighbors – whether the crisis comes from rising water or rising costs of living.
Let's prove that our community's compassion extends to all who need it. Let's show that gratitude isn't just a feeling – it's action. Let's give Bessie the safe home she deserves.
Every Share Matters. Every Dollar Counts. Every Prayer Helps.
Thank you for being part of Bessie's story. Thank you for showing what Kerrville and Hill Country community truly means.
