Biggest need is used vehicle
Caring
father, James, 59, has moved in because of his ailing health.
The family is part of the Austin American-Statesman’s Season for Caring program, which highlights the needs of 12 families and helps hundreds of others through reader donations. The family was nominated by WBC Opportunities, a nonprofit agency that serves Williamson and Burnet counties.
The family’s life and home are about to change. Amplify Credit Union will give the home a makeover on Wednesday and Thursday. It’s the fourth Season for Caring family the credit union has adopted in two years. Last week, the credit union treated Tracy Jackson, a 51-yearold Marine with multiple sclerosis, to a shopping spree before giving her a new computer so she could make Internet calls to her daughter. Amplify also is helping to get her To make a donation, go online or use the donation form on physical therapy and a nutritionist. After the credit union learned that her daughter has no way to get home from college this Christmas, members chipped in for a plane ticket too.
For the Yancy and Cousins family, 20 Amplify employee volunteers will work two days straight to deep-clean the house, do repairs, install new carpeting and laminate, and provide new furniture.
During the makeover, the family will stay at Best Western in Round Rock, which donated three hotel rooms for two nights.
The most important thing Amplify is giving the family is financial counseling to help reduce debts and afford to take care of the home.
Amplify’s Terry McCoy, a senior training specialist who is leading the efforts, says the credit union was inspired to help the family because of its perseverance to get out of where Yancy and Cousins grew up. “That is really inspiring,” he said. “We give them a lot of credit for what they’ve been through.”
He also admired the family’s commitment to education, and it shows, he says, with the oldest son now in college.
“It’s our pleasure to be able to do it, and to be able to make a difference in someone’s life, it makes a difference in your own life,” McCoy said.
The family’s story inspired another family to give this Christmas. Jack and Beverly Johnson and their four children and seven grandchildren pooled their resources and went on a shopping spree Wednesday to stock Yancy and Cousins’ kitchen. Even their daughter, who lives in Alabama but was visiting, got involved. And their grandchildren, the youngest of whom is 22, sent money to help out. They wrapped up everything, including small appliances, cups and plates, serving bowls and measuring cups, and delivered it on Friday.
“I’m proud of my family,” Jack Johnson said.
The Yancy and Cousins family’s biggest need is a gently used large vehicle. The current car is leaking fumes, making it difficult to go far. The family also would love a new swing set, children’s bikes, toys and clothing for the children.
To find out more about the family or to donate something on its wish list, contact WBC Opportunities at 512-763-1400 or wbco.net.