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TDW of Ellis County

September 16, 2025 Meeting

The meeting was called to order by President Nancy Post at 6:03 p.m. with 19 members and 3 guests in attendance.

Special Presentation:

Deidre Hamid, new Executive Director of Waxahachie, spoke about the important role that Waxahachie CARE has in our community, the impact of government cuts to the organization and how we can help those in need in our community.  She also expressed great appreciation for all of the baby supplies that TDW-EC Community Outreach collected and donated to Waxahachie CARE to help those in need.

Highlights:

  1. Anyone with an Ellis County zip code is eligible to receive food every 2 weeks from Waxahachie CARE. No income requirement.  They also assist with some utilities and Waxahachie water. They also help the unhoused and make home deliveries.
  2. They have many great partners such as HEB, Wal-Mart and many others. Church groups and schools are amazing partners and volunteers.
  3. Since last year, there has been a 132% increase in families requesting assistance for food. They help 60+ families a day.
  4. Waxahachie CARE is under the Feeding America program umbrella. The North Texas Food Bank is under Feeding America.  North Texas Food Bank services 16 area counties.  There have been millions of dollars cut by the government to these programs.  Free school lunches have been cut.
  5. So many people are struggling because of the federal cuts. Many families are living out of their car.  The struggles because of the lack of government support for those in need are real.
  6. Deidre previously worked for the Department of Labor where she helped connect students with industry. She was let go because of the recent government cuts.  She considers it a blessing that she now is able to lead Waxahachie CARE.
  7. They are looking to grow their facility and ensure that there is no stigma attached to getting help when it is needed.
  8. How can you help? Become a volunteer.  They are especially in need of home delivery drivers.

Following Deidre’s presentation, the pledge of allegiance was recited.

Lynda Begnaud introduced Vikki Goodwin, who is running for Lt. Governor.  Vikki has 4 main priorities:

  1. Deliver an effective public education system that prepares all kids for the jobs they will need in the future.
  2. Prioritize Texas families’ access to clean drinking water and to power that stays on during extreme weather.
  3. Incentivize an increase in the supply of homes in Texas so that everyone can afford a place to live and have access to home ownership if they want.
  4. Ensure all Texans can access our world-class medical system to help them with their physical, mental and reproductive issues without fear of facing bankruptcy.

Highlights:

  1. Vikki stated that Dan Patrick blocked all of her bills during the last session as part of the retribution politics that exists in the Texas Legislature today. Even many local leaders (mayors, council members and judges) are being threatened if they don’t vote a certain way.
  2. She is running against corruption that exists in Texas politics – an example being that Ken Paxton gave Dan Patrick $3 million just before Paxton went on trial.
  3. Public education is a big passion for her. Many schools are being shut down because of the funding cuts to public education made by the Texas Legislature.  She will do all she can to rescind vouchers and put money back into public schools.
  4. She believes in local control.
  5. She believes the Lt. Governor and Governor have too much power. There should be term limits.
  6. There is a rally on October 6th in El Paso to counter the redistricting map.
  7. She stated that she will do a lot of Social Banking and encouraged everyone to get on social media to Follow, Like Often, Comment and Share.
  8. Primary Election is March 3, 2026. (Typically only 15% of the voting population vote in primaries).
  9. General Election November 3, 2026.
  10. Please consider giving Vikki a donation to help her campaign.
  11. Go to GoodWin4Texas.com to learn more
  12. Vote!

Meeting Minutes:

The August meeting minutes are available online.  Kelly Blackburn made a motion to approve.  Carol Young seconded.  All Ayes.

Treasurers Report:

Joanne Hunt report a PAC balance of $3,732.41 and a Scholarship balance of $7,095.42.

Committee Reports:

Scholarship:  Kathleen Bowen stated that she will reach out next week to Midlothian High and Heritage High to let them know TDW-EC will be providing scholarships to those schools in 2026.

Programs:   Lynda Begnaud announced the speaker for the October meeting will be Elizabeth Qualia, Curator of the of the Sue S. Bancroft Women’s Leadership Hall at the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership at Texas Woman’s University.

Community Outreach:  Julie Mendenhall thanked everyone who donated baby items for Waxahachie CARE.

Refreshments:

Carol Young thanked Flo, Carol and Lynda for providing snacks.  October snacks will be Billlye Summers and Rebecca Cockerham.

Upcoming Actions and Announcements:

Liza Hameline stated that the N. Texas Democrats will be having a Halloween Social on October 8th in Irving.  Danny Minton and others will be speaking.  The theme is “Dark Day for Democracy”.  Try to attend.   She stated that people are getting engage and stressed the importance of working together. An example would be that District 6 folks will help Ellis County folks block walk and Ellis County folks will help District 6 folks.

Jennifer Valdez announced the “Enough is Enough Protest Rally Against Jake Ellzey” which will be Friday, September 26 at 122 N. Beaton St. in Corsicana.

Other Business:

Jennifer Valdez – Jennifer has done a great job mobilizing Ennis Democrats.  She gave a report on what Ennis Democrats are doing.  They had a first meeting in Ennis last month and 30 people showed up.  Jennifer is also helping to recruit more precinct chairs.  She started social media for the group.  On Facebook and Instagram look for “ENNIS DEMOCRATS” to follow.  She has been working very hard to bring people together in Ennis.  The next Ennis Democrat meeting will be Thursday, September 25th at the Ennis Public Library – 501 W. Ennis Street.  Way to go Jennifer!

Nancy Post stated that Mary Brooks is under the weather.  Please reach out to Mary to see how she is doing and to wish her a speedy recovery.

Adjournment:

Flo Miles made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  It was seconded by Helen Brock.

Meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.

 

The minutes were prepared by Kathleen Bowen.