Testimonials

Armani Artis and Brenda Popillion

First, I give honor to God, I thank him for his grace and mercy, I thank him for all the prayers for us and most of all, I thank him for all the angels he has brought to my family. It is people like you, Oilfield Helping Hands, that keep our hearts uplifted in praise. This is truly a blessing for us, a very much needed and very deeply appreciated blessing for us.

A little note about Armani:

She sits on the wings of an angel
Perched there so beautiful and sweet
How could one little face
Touch so many hearts

She sits on the wings of an angel
Each time she feels pain
God dispatches an angel
He lands in her lap,
Wraps his wings around her
And sings God's sweet words into her ears
So there are no more tears and no fears

God places a million angels
Around her as she sleeps
So when you see her beautiful face
No matter, what she's going through
Please know
She's on the wings of an angel

A voice so tiny
A spirit so mighty
She'll smile with that toothless grin
And then,
There'll be absolutely no doubt in your mind
She's on the wings of an angel

Oilfield Helping Hands, you are all angels and there is just not enough words of gratitude I can say, please know how much this will help my family. Thank you, thank you, and thank you.

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Bluebonnet Ranch

Our success for the past 28 years has depended upon thoughtful people like you supporting our cause that helps show more children that there is hope for the future.

Each year it seems our need becomes even greater, but we are being highly blessed with support from donors like yourself. With your donation our cause seems a little less an obstacle we cannot overcome.

Your thoughtfulness is especially appreciated because we know that it comes not as much from your pocket as your heart. Your willingness to share your earthly possessions and help others be aware of the need is truly a blessing to us.

On behalf of the board of directors, staff and children of Bluebonnet Youth Ranch, we thank you.

Janet Jaco, Administrator

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Infused with new members with the purpose of raising as much money for a family in need with minimal expenses, OHH sponsored our second Sporting Clay Tourney in June 2004. Our second recipient was Lee M. Bourg. Lee, a retired employee of Smith International, worked his first oilfield job at the age of 15, went on to graduate from USL in Lafayette and continued to work in the oilfield until his death at age 69. After retiring, Lee became a consultant salesman for a small drilling fluids company and had no benefits other than his COBRA medical coverage, obtained through his retirement with Smith, and Medicare.

In January 2004, Lee was diagnosed with Plura Mesotheleoma lung cancer. His COBRA medical insurance was less than adequate and did not pay for his mounting medical bills. Mrs. Betty Bourg was required to take an unpaid leave of absence from her job to care for Lee. Even with Medicare benefits, mounting medical bills and monthly living expenses were exhausting the family savings. The morning after the OHH Selection Committee chose Lee as a recipient; he passed away without knowing that his fellow oilfield colleagues were aware of his plight and coming to his aid.

Mrs. Bourg sums up the family gratitude for the work OHH does: "He died unaware of the total amount of the medical bills and that the insurance was not going to pay. He did not know that OHH was considering help for him. I know he would have been grateful and surprised. I want to thank each person who has contributed time, money or been a part of one of the OHH fund raisers. You never know when fate will deal you a hand you did not expect. It's wonderful to know OHH is there to help those of us who work in the oilfield and we have a group that raises money to help our fellow oilfield hands. Lee worked for over 50 years in the oil industry and enjoyed the people. God bless each of you. Jarrod and I are grateful."

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Oct. 22, 2007

I can't thank you and your organization enough for the kindness you have given to my family and me. With your help, I can focus totally on my recovery and get a "leg up" on life. Words can't express what the Oilfield Helping Hands means to me!

A special thanks to Mary and Ronnie Smith. Thanks for everything.

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Thank you OHH for your generosity and compassion. Your help couldn't have come at a better time. With the benefit that was held in my honor not working out, and the unpaid bills piling up, I felt that I was at my lowest point mentally, emotionally, physically, and especially financially.
Your call came at a desperate time for us. I feel like a big load has been lifted from my shoulders. I worry about my family and bills a lot. Since I'm unable to work, money has been very tight around here. I'm an independent person...it's hard for me to ask for help, but I had to swallow my pride and do it.

I'm unable to lift, move anything, or even walk short distances without getting short of breath and my heart racing. My sister and mother-in-law help me out with the kids and the house work. I thank them and God for their help everyday.

My income is very much needed! I'm hoping to beat this illness and get back to work soon. With 6 kids, and how they grow so fast.

Thank you all for inviting me to the meeting that was held on the March 7. It was very enjoyable meeting everyone, and the lunch was great! The week before the meeting I wasn't sure if I was able to attend. I was feeling very weak when I went in for my chemo treatment, and was told that my white blood cell count and platelets had hit rock bottom. I had to get a blood transfusion. The day after the transfusion I felt much better, and was excited about being able to meet Oilfield Helping Hands members.

I just finished the last of my chemo and radiation treatments, and will be going back for a check-up at the end of this month. I pray that the check-up turns out well. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Having been diagnosed with cancer has opened my eyes. I see everything in a different light. I take the time to smell the flowers...so to speak, and I don't take anything for granted anymore, or try not to.

I can't seem to thank you guys enough. You all are a blessing!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Gonzales Family

Dear OHH,

My granddaughter, Malaya was born May 10, 2007. Five days later she was diagnosed with Trisomy 13 and was given no more than 30 days to live. We watched her grow and develop everyday, which brought us hope that we would have her a little longer. Malaya passed on August 13, 2007 - her mother's 21st birthday. Losing Malaya devastated her parents. It all happened so quickly... the arrangements, the preparations; the most difficult decisions no one in their 20's should ever have to make. Their world would not stop for the grieving.

To everyone at OHH: Your generosity not only allowed these kids to grieve the loss of their daughter, but also aided in the healing process. From my whole heart to all of yours. Thank you for this amazing gift.

Yvonne Gonzales (Malaya's g'ma)

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Rosanna Hodgkiss, 55, native Houstonian, mother of 3 and grandmother of 5, went to work in the oil industry 15 years ago after her husband's death from cancer. While taking medication from rheumatoid arthritis and being monitored for side effects, an MRI was ordered because of vision problems and a brain tumor was found. Brain surgery to remove most of the benign tumor was performed in August 2005 and she is waiting for the follow-up test results and the start of radiation treatments.

Currently unemployed and having no benefits except COBRA insurance, expenses have depleted her savings. She is optimistic that the treatments will not be long-term and will allow her to get back to work soon.

Jim and Elaine Hopkins

We wish to express our sincere appreciation for your very generous donation to us in our time of need. The money will be extremely helpful paying current bills and future bills for various on going treatments. Again, thank you.

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Jim and Oakland Husband



Jim Husband, a 38+ year employee of Baroid, in the fall of 2001 developed a strep infection which destroyed the aortic valve of his heart. In January 2002 he had open heart surgery twice, once in an attempt to repair the valve and again to replace it with a St Jude artificial valve. He suffered a series of strokes throughout 2002 that left him totally incapacitated. From the onset of the strokes until his death, he was in a series of hospitals/rehabilitation facilities in Houston, Austin, Conroe, and finally back in Houston. Although he was on long-term disability and had insurance, the family savings were quickly being exhausted as his medical expenses not covered by insurance were significant. Mrs. Husband was required to maintain an apartment in Austin so she could care for Jim while maintaining their home in Houston.

In early 2003, a group of Baroid employees decided upon a sporting clay tournament to raise money to aid the family. The tournament was a resounding success. Participants in the tournament were so enthusiastic about the event that a novel idea emerged. Why not grow the group, bringing in volunteer members from other oilfield companies? While retaining only about 10% of the net monies raised for start up expenses, Oilfield Helping Hands was born.

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On February 4, 2005, Dan and Cyndy Justice were returning to their home in Houston after visiting with friends. They were hit head-on by a drunk driver. Dan was killed in the crash; Cyndy was in a coma for several days and suffered a compound fracture of her left arm, brain trauma and nerve damage resulting in some vision loss. God has graciously provided some healing, but as of October 10, Cyndy is not yet able to drive. Dan was an electrician who worked offshore for 21 for Sun Exploration and Production/Oryx Energy, which merged with Kerr-McGee. He had early-retired in the fall of 2003 and was fortunate to have retiree insurance and a supplemental income from re-employment in the boiler industry. As Cyndy deals with her recovery, she has been faced with her portion of medical bills, funeral expenses and the loss of Dan's boiler industry income as well as keeping her son in college.

Oilfield Helping Hands' gracious gift to Cyndy and her son, Danny, has made them feel as though Dan's work offshore has been truly appreciated. They are very thankful to OHH and its members for their assistance.

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Paula Kulhanek

I want to thank you for this organization, "Oilfield Helping Hands." It has lifted a very heavy burden off my mind and has helped me pay off my medical bills from MD Anderson. I had gone through one year of surgery, chemo, and radiation for my breast cancer, but with the help of "Helping Hands" I have paid the bill in full. May God bless this organization and the people involved. I am on my way to a healthy life with regular routine doctor visits. I feel great and I am back to working again. Thanks a bunch!

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Thanks for your help and support. I want to extend my gratitude for your organization. I am blessed to have met such a helpful organization. My sincere thanks.

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Sandra and Larry Pitts

On Aug. 12, 2008, our little boy, Seth, woke up just as he always had, happy to see us and grinning from ear to ear. As we always did, we got him dressed and told him we loved him before I dropped him off for the day his grandparents’ house. When I made my usual call to check to see how his day was going, there was no answer. Not long after, I had the worst call that a mother could receive – a call that said our child had stopped breathing in his sleep and was being given CPR.

He stayed in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Texas Children’s Hospital (PICU) for three days. The doctors worked feverishly to save him, but on Aug. 14, our son Seth went to be with the Lord and all the other angels. While he was here, he left a lasting impression on the doctors, nurses, medical staff, multiple family and friends who had a chance to know him. Our little pumpkin also placed his little fingertips on the people who didn’t get a chance to meet him, as stories have been shared with us about how their lives have been affected by his story.

After our son went to be with the Lord, my husband and I decided we wanted to honor Seth’s legacy by having an under-the-water sea mural painted and wall-mounted toys put up at Texas Children’s outside the PICU waiting room for small children, since they are not allowed in the main ICU waiting area. We held a fundraiser and raised over $4,000. We are proud of this accomplishment and hope to do many more things to honor Seth’s legacy.

One of our fears during the three nights’ stay at Texas Children’s was how in the world are we going to pay for all the hospital bills. We thought they would be close to $100,000, but had no idea of the real cost. When we found out that Oilfield Helping Hands was offering to help us with the hospital bills, we were speechless. We didn’t know how you would begin to tell someone thank you for helping to lift such a heavy burden off our shoulders. I believe that when you do something good for others it will come back to you ten-fold. We found out about OHH after we started the project for the wall mural and wall-mounted toys. We believe God has blessed us with a beautiful little boy and He is continuing to bless us.

Thank you, OHH, for helping my husband and me in our time of need. There will never be enough words to express to you our true gratitude and what it means as parents to know that there are people who are willing to help others when they feel like there is no end in sight. We feel an enormous burden has been lifted off our shoulders and that we can breathe again. Thank you so much for everything you have done.

Sandra, Larry and Baby Seth

Update from the Pitts Family, January 2011

The Pittses welcomed a new son in May 2010 and named him after Dr. Musick, who treated Seth. With some of the money that the Pittses raised, they had a Christmas dinner delivered to the staff at Texas Children’s PICU who were working on Christmas eve. Dr. Stein, PICU Chief, is writing a book and is going to include Seth’s story, along with a thank-you letter that Sandra and Larry wrote to the hospital after Seth’s death.

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Thank you OHH for your help in this time of need... I will rest better at night knowing that there is such a caring organization in the Houston area.

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Sharon Roach is a 30+ year employee of Baroid. In September 1997, her youngest daughter, Kris, was diagnosed with Good Pasture Syndrome, a rare disorder causing the lungs and kidneys to deteriorate. At the same time, it was discovered that she was expecting a 4th child. Doctors urged her to terminate the pregnancy because of the dosage of chemo and steroids required to get the disease under control. She opted to have the child.

Cassidy was born on December 4, 1997 weighing in at 2 lbs. 2 oz. In 2002, while continuing to battle the Good Pasture, Kris developed a rare skin disorder, resulting in massive oozing sores all over her body. Kris' two youngest daughters, Danielle, 9, and Cassidy, 8, were placed with Sharon in May of 2005 when Kris became unable to care for them. Sharon has struggled with financial and time/energy issues, expecting the situation to improve and the children to be able to return to their mom. Unfortunately Kris was unable to overcome issues with pain and pain management, and passed away on October 17, 2005. The children's father is out of the picture and Sharon is in the process of obtaining legal guardianship of both girls and will continue to raise and guide them.

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Steve Shaffer, 54, is a former Baroid employee of 23 years. He was diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease in his legs last year. In January of this year, his left leg was amputated above the knee.

Steve is currently on Social Security Disability and was unable to afford a prosthesis. Fortunately, Oilfield Helping Hands heard of his plight and assisted Steve in obtaining a prosthesis. He is in therapy which is a slow process but has maintained good spirits during this time. He is eager to get back to work in the oil patch.

I want to extend a sincere thanks to the OHH organization for your most generous gift to me and my family. These last eight months have been very difficult, but I have also discovered many miracles along the journey. Knowing Jesse Luna and meeting Sandra Dows and the OHH members have been one of those miracles.

Norma and Fred Staggs

Before the gun powder could disperse from the Sporting Clay Tourney in mid-June, the group jumped on the idea of a Fall Golf Tourney. In late October, the first OHH Golf Tourney was held. Two recipients were chosen for monies realized from this event.

James Strange

JP Kenny would to take a moment to thank Oilfield Helping Hands for the generous donation given to James Strange and his family. This donation has been a blessing for James and his two young girls in this time of great need. Words of gratitude cannot be expressed enough for the kindness your organization has shown.

It is an honor to know that this industry has a plethora of giving people such as the ones involved within OHH. This has enlightened many within our own company to be more giving, thanks to the example that OHH has set forth.

Again our heartfelt thanks are extended to each and everyone within your organization.

Alan Brackenridge, President

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Susan

Susan is a long-time employee of several oilfield service companies who is being treated for breast cancer. OHH recently presented her a check to help with expenses during her treatment.

I just wanted to write and say THANK YOU! Sandra (Dows) called me yesterday with the good news, and I can't tell you the instant relief I felt. My financial issues have been weighing heavily on my mind, of course, but I didn't realize how much until that moment. Sandra, I did just what I said I would after our conversation, have a hot cup of tea and go to sleep! I hadn't slept well for days, sometimes staying up all night long, but was able to achieve a very deep sleep for over 12 hours. Wow. Can't tell you how much better I'm feeling.

Thank you for all your hard work and efforts taken to help me out. It means so much to me to know I'll be staying in my home of almost nine years and keeping the utilities on, too.

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I have been a road warrior this month! I have been all over twice! I just got back from an offsite up in Cypress all week, and off today.....thank God, I am wore out. So this morning I am catching up on some emailing and balancing the check book so I can pay some bills.

I wanted to thank you for all your help with helping me and the family out with helping us to get this check from Oilfield Helping Hands. Of course, we would like to send a thank you note to someone with OHH and thank them for their generosity. We really appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts! You or most others doesn't really realize how much everything helps out. It has been 2 years and we still have things to buy....rug, table, pictures or stuff to hang on the walls, fence, etc. You never really realize how much stuff you have in a home until it all goes away, then it is almost overwhelming to sit and realize where do we start?

Missy laughed at me when we first got back to Houston immediately after the storm. We were sitting there one night in the only hotel I could find in the entire city of Houston which was downtown. I told her one of the first things we had to do was to go out the next morning to Katy to the outlet mall and buy us each a suitcase so we could get out of our bags, since we were going to be moving around, living in motels for quiet a while! So that was were the journey began and we are still replacing stuff 2 years later, believe it or not.

Thanks for the offer on having a fence-building party! That is one of my to do's this weekend, get out measure up everything and make a list of what it is going to require to build.

I was digging thru some stuff the other night when I come across some photos that a Norwegian journalist took the first day we got back home to Sabine. Of all people to be in Sabine Pass that Monday morning after the storm, there was 4 of us -- Missy and myself and 2 journalists from Norway! The journalist sent us a copy of their newspapers about us (we couldn't read it, but nice keepsake) and the photos. But anyway, I thought I would attach them to show your boss, it was quiet a mess, and everything we could salvage was in 1 Rubbermaid box and in Missy's arms! Great dishes though, not one of them broke in the house that we found. Of course we broke one on the way home that night laying in the back of the truck! Just our luck...

Thanks again and we love you for everything!

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Billy and Bre Waters



Hello, our names are Billy and Bre Waters. We now have three boys 1� months, 1� years, and 3 � years of age. Their names are Cade, Clay, and the oldest, Cody. On August 17 2005, during a routine ultra-sound, we were told that there were major defects with Cade's heart. The diagnosis was Hypo-plastic Left Heart Syndrome. Left untreated, this congenital heart defect had 100% fatality rate. Our only option to try and save his life was for Cade to undergo several heart surgeries before the age of 3, the first of which would take place within 72 hours of birth. The second option was a heart transplant, which would have to be done within the first days of his life as well. With the minute possibility of finding a matching donor heart for an infant, we chose the surgery option. Though this would not be a complete fix, and a transplant at some point would be necessary, this option bought us time.

Cade was born on January 9. He had his first heart surgery on January 12. Cade recovered well and came home for the first time two weeks after his surgery. On February 12, exactly one month to the date of his surgery, Cade became very ill and was put back in ICU at Texas Children's. He again is on the path to recovery. However, we are at a very precarious time in Cade's life. He has a long and uncertain road ahead. We continue to pray daily for a positive outcome.

When you are fighting for your child's life, money is the least of your concerns. However, when the smoke begins to clear, reality returns and the daunting task of figuring out how to pay the medical bills sets in. Today, Feb. 22, 2006, I received a phone call from Oilfield Helping Hands. It was an answer to prayer. Their generosity has taken more than a huge load from our shoulders. Our gratitude for the help they have given cannot be expressed in words. This situation we find ourselves in has opened our eyes to so many others that also have tremendous need. Our lives like so many others' were changed in an instant. Thank you so much for the blessing you have given our family. Our pledge to you is that we will show that same generosity to other's in their time of need the very second we are able.

We love you.

My husband, Gary Wingo, was diagnosed in March 2003 with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), and in March 2008 he was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. Because of his COPD, he is not a candidate for surgery, so MD Anderson Cancer Center is managing his cancer with radiation and most likely chemo soon.

I would like to thank OHH for choosing us as a recipient and their generous gift to us. Just saying "thank you" could never begin to express the appreciation we have and the relief your assistance has given us. The money we received from OHH has helped us take care of paying the mounting doctor and medical expenses for Gary's cancer treatments at MD Anderson. He has had 2 series of radiation treatments - one for the right lung and another round for tumors in his left lung.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for OHH and the wonderful benefit you have provided to us in our time of need. I have truly been blessed to know and work with many of the people who make up OHH and who work diligently to raise money for others in need. This is truly a great organization and hopefully I can give back by volunteering in the future.

God bless you all.

Letha Wright

I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Oilfield Helping Hands for the gracious gift that helped me tremendously. In March 2005 I had to have facial surgery due to a cancerous tumor. With the insurance coverage I had, it left an unpaid balance that created a problem. Through the kindness of OHH I was able to pay the medical bills. I have thanked God for OHH and the work they are doing and pray that I can be a part in assisting in some way to help this work continue. May God bless you all.

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Anonymous Recipient

Oilfield Helping Hands has helped my family in so many ways; it is all hard to put into words. OHH has saved our house when we where behind, they have given us food when we had none. They helped with some of our doctors’ bills and have kept our utilities from being turned off. They gave us money to buy our kids school supplies that we couldn’t get otherwise. Most of all, they got us a car when we had to give ours back and that took a lot of stress off me, so I felt a little better. Sandra Dows has given great support, and I do not even know what to think where we would be without OHH – I know with no house and car. We give OHH our hearts. They did so much for our family that it is unbelievable. We THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

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