Serve the economically challenged who live in our county and help them bridge the gap
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
pASTOR Jeff Oliver, treasurer
pASTOR Jeff Oliver, 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
pASTOR Jeff Oliver, treasurer
pASTOR Jeff Oliver, treasurer
pASTOR Jeff Oliver, treasurer
Pastor Jeff has been a pastor for 40 years and is currently the Senior Minister of the Pleasant View Church of Christ in Cassopolis. He has served on this board since 2007.
Leigh goyings, VICe president
pASTOR Jeff Oliver, treasurer
Leigh goyings, VICe president
Leigh is a retired teacher who continues a 30 year legacy of community service through Helping Hands
Marty Eby
robin Emenaker, Community outreach
Leigh goyings, VICe president
Marty, a Commercial Photographer and overall handy-man, enjoys working behind the scenes at Helping Hands.
robin Emenaker, Community outreach
robin Emenaker, Community outreach
robin Emenaker, Community outreach
Retired from clerical work in medical offices and spent 40 volunteer years with
three non-profits! She feels led to assist our community neighbors living with limited resources.
Cheryl groner, Secretary
robin Emenaker, Community outreach
robin Emenaker, Community outreach
Cheryl ran a daycare in Dowagiac for 33 years before retiring and has been serving Helping Hands for over twenty years.
Board of Directors
heather beaudoin
diane seifert, Community outreach
diane seifert, Community outreach
Heather spent most of her career as a national organizer and strategist to end the death penalty. With a political science degree and background in public relations including social media, she also serves on the Cassopolis School Board.
diane seifert, Community outreach
diane seifert, Community outreach
diane seifert, Community outreach
Diane retired from Bayer HealthCare and has been involved with Helping Hands for nearly 20 years. She enjoys making connections in the community to partner with Helping Hands.
Sueanne Stewart
Sueanne Stewart
Sueanne Stewart
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
Sueanne Stewart
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
sheryl deLuca
sheryl deLuca
sheryl deLuca
Sheryl is the mother of two fine men. After 34 years at PricwaterhouseCoopers, ready to make a difference in this community. How about you?!
Carl Ross
sheryl deLuca
sheryl deLuca
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
sheryl deLuca
Roger Leach
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.
Diana NITA
Diana NITA
Roger Leach
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.
Mary Howie
Diana NITA
Mary Howie
Mary has served on several county-wide boards, including the Cass County Board of Commissioners, Area Agency on Aging, Board of Health, and Cass Co. Historical Commission. Her professional work involved directing religious education for Queen of Peace School and 19 years as an HR director in manufacturing. Mary brings an in-depth knowledge of Cass County partners and services and looks forward to serving others in what she describes as Helping Hands’ “shining light.”