The Helm Family makes historic donation to Hopkins County Health Care Foundation

The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation proudly announces a $300,000 gift from Charles and Sharon Helm, local business owners and community partners of the foundation, designated towards the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs’s Spreading Our Wings initiative.

Established in 1997, the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation serves the local community by raising vital funds for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, the Hopkins County Hospital District as well as numerous programs. With the generous contributions and support of friends, family and neighbors, the foundation is building a strong, long-term endowment that will ensure the advancement of health care for future generations of Hopkins County.

“We are honored to announce this incredible gift from our long-time donors and friends, Charles and Sharon. Their commitment to exceptional and innovative health care is evidenced by this gift which is the largest health care donation in Hopkins County’s history,” said Paul Harvey, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs president. “This donation will significantly advance the Spreading Our Wings fundraising campaign to expand the surgical services area, ensuring we can provide the latest state-of-the-art care to all our patients. We are deeply grateful to the Helms for their extraordinary support and dedication to the health of Hopkins County residents.”

Launched in 2024 and running through 2026, the Spreading Our Wings initiative was established to help raise necessary funds to expand the surgical services wing, which accommodates up to 50 patients daily in an area initially built to handle one-third of that. Additionally, the number of treatments offered has increased, which means the equipment and supplies that need to be on hand have increased. This creates a need not only for square footage for operating but also for pre-op prep and post-op recovery of patients and storing of equipment and needs.

The Helms have significantly impacted the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation through their generous donations and have been frequent supporters of the foundation, participating in various fundraising efforts and events over the years.

Most recently, they sponsored the 19th Annual Gala, which raised funds for an MRI upgrade at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. Their involvement in this event and their substantial donation played a crucial role in surpassing the fundraising goal, ensuring that the hospital can provide faster, clearer scans for better patient care.

“The Helms' dedication to enhancing rural health care in Hopkins County is evident through their continuous support and leadership in various projects,” said Pam Black, Hopkins County Health Care Foundation board chair. “Their contributions have helped improve medical facilities and inspired others in the community to join in the effort to advance local health care services. Because of the support of the Helms, the Spreading Our Wings Campaign will continue to grow to establish a bright path for the expansion of surgical services in our area.”

For more information on the Spreading Our Wings capital campaign, email kayla.price@christushealth.org or call the foundation at 903-438-4799.