About
Who are we?
Founded in 1984, Helping Hands of Cass County was formed by members of several area churches who organized to respond to growing individual and family emergency needs. With a mission to "Serve the economically challenged who live in Cass County and help them bridge the gap," Helping Hands has been serving the community largely through a volunteer workforce. While the services today are centered around the food pantry and thrift store, we are working to expand our service to increase the positive impact on our community.
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This organization is operated exclusively for purposes described in Section 501C of the Internal Revenue Code. Helping Hands is an equal opportunity employer.
Our Board of Directors
Joan Murphy President
Leigh goyings, TREASURER
Leigh goyings, TREASURER
Joan retired after 26 years in Children’s Ministry and has been involved in Helping Hands for over 20 years. Retirement now provides more time to spoil grandkids as well as helping neighbors in need in our community
Leigh goyings, TREASURER
Leigh goyings, TREASURER
Leigh goyings, TREASURER
Leigh is a retired teacher who continues a 30 year legacy of community service through Helping Hands.
Board of Directors
Sueanne Stewart, SECRETARY
Sueanne Stewart, SECRETARY
Sueanne Stewart, SECRETARY
Sue Ann serves as DRE / Youth Minister at Holy Maternity of Mary Parish, Office Manager for LADD, Saint Francis Outreach Board Member, Elks Lodge Loyal Knight, and President of Beta Sigma Phi. She has three sons, all married and eight grandchildren and loves spending time with them.
Vicki vaughn
Sueanne Stewart, SECRETARY
Sueanne Stewart, SECRETARY
Vikki owns a local business and serves on many Cass County boards. She has a heart for service and loves this community.
Board of Directors
Diana NITA, VICE PRESIDENT
Diana NITA, VICE PRESIDENT
Diana NITA, VICE PRESIDENT
Diana is a retired CFO and Finance/HR Manager for area businesses and nonprofits. For over a decade she was an advocate for abused and neglected children through CASA. Diana has a heart for service and has been a Helping Hands volunteer for over a year. She believes in our mission and will bring finance and people skills to the board.
Carl Ross
Diana NITA, VICE PRESIDENT
Diana NITA, VICE PRESIDENT
Chaplain Carl is the lead chaplain at the Cass County Jail, he also serves as the interim pastor for Christ Tabernacle Church. He has a heart of Christ centered service. He has served in ministry for more than 30 years.
Roger Leach
Diana NITA, VICE PRESIDENT
Roger brings a business management background as well as property management with his 32 years as a landlord. He served as youth leader at Penn Friends Church, as well as decades of service in Penn Township as a trustee and on planning and zoning boards.
DANIELLE ANTISDEL
Danielle is a busy mom, coach for the Cassopolis Schools Equestrian Teams, and co-coordinator of the Cass County Toys for Tots program. Her experience as a business owner would bring many skills to the Helping Hands board, including accounting, social media and website expertise, as well as event planning and community relations. Danielle’s desire to help others in need fits perfectly into Helping Hands’ mission.
JOHN LENDMAN
John retired from a long career in R&D and purchasing for Bayer Corp., but remains full of energy and ideas for ways to give back to the community through Helping Hands. His expertise includes management, computer/IT skills, public relations and fundraising. In his free time, he likes to golf and participates in Bible studies. He attends Granger Community Church.
NANCY GOODRICH
Nancy recently retired after more than 37 years in management and administration with the Edward Lowe Foundation in Cassopolis. She brings a keen eye for editing and proofreading, skills she genuinely enjoys using. Nancy also serves as a lay leader at Dowagiac First UMC.