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First dumpster was filled by Mike Wolford, James Johnson, Tommy Adams, Rudy Escamilla, Bob Brischetto, Denise Stewart, Levin Crawford and (not pictured) Barbara Brischetto.
Second dumpste: Lee Winright, Ralph Carrasco, Denise Stewart and Mike Wolford.
Courtesy photos
June 24, 2025
Nonprofits clear trash from yards of disabled, elderly
By Robert Brischetto
Don’t Make Waste Bandera President
Don’t Make Waste Bandera (DMWB), in cooperation with Silver Sage Hill Country Resource Center, recently conducted a survey of Meals-on-Wheels recipients seeking help to clear junk accumulating in their yards and homes. Twenty households responded, all were elderly and most were disabled.
Patricia Taylor was the one most in immediate need of help. At age 61, she is wheel-chair bound and suffers from uterine cancer. Her husband Kenny died a little over a year ago with pancreatic cancer. Having also lost both of her biological siblings, she was living alone.
A team of eight DMWB volunteers made the trip to Patricia’s home on Saturday morning, only to find that she had been rushed in the middle of the night to the Westover Hills Baptist hospital with pneumonia. Her step-sister Denise came in from San Antonio to guide volunteers in the cleanup. The volunteers filled a 20-yard dumpster.
Two days later, another dumpster was ordered and the volunteers were joined by Silver Sage employees. They filled the dumpster and two trailers—one for metal, another for wood and furniture.
A grant from the Pine Gate Community Impact Fund will cover these cleanups and others planned for elderly and disabled persons in need. This service is for those who cannot afford expensive cleaning. It is part of an ongoing effort to recruit volunteers in the neighborhood and businesses, churches and organizations who want to help in cleanups around the county.
Tax-deductible donations to the work can be made directly to Don’t Make Waste Bandera, P.O. Box 1181, Bandera, 78003. Or donate on the website: DMWB.net.
Robert Brischetto is President of Don’t Make Waste Bandera. He can be reached at [email protected]
Patricia Taylor was the one most in immediate need of help. At age 61, she is wheel-chair bound and suffers from uterine cancer. Her husband Kenny died a little over a year ago with pancreatic cancer. Having also lost both of her biological siblings, she was living alone.
A team of eight DMWB volunteers made the trip to Patricia’s home on Saturday morning, only to find that she had been rushed in the middle of the night to the Westover Hills Baptist hospital with pneumonia. Her step-sister Denise came in from San Antonio to guide volunteers in the cleanup. The volunteers filled a 20-yard dumpster.
Two days later, another dumpster was ordered and the volunteers were joined by Silver Sage employees. They filled the dumpster and two trailers—one for metal, another for wood and furniture.
A grant from the Pine Gate Community Impact Fund will cover these cleanups and others planned for elderly and disabled persons in need. This service is for those who cannot afford expensive cleaning. It is part of an ongoing effort to recruit volunteers in the neighborhood and businesses, churches and organizations who want to help in cleanups around the county.
Tax-deductible donations to the work can be made directly to Don’t Make Waste Bandera, P.O. Box 1181, Bandera, 78003. Or donate on the website: DMWB.net.
Robert Brischetto is President of Don’t Make Waste Bandera. He can be reached at [email protected]