McCrady accepts reins at Helping Hands

Helping Hands of Ennis recently announced the hiring of a new Executive Director in Korey McCrady. The home-grown Ennis native follows in the steps of predecessor, Judi Hejny, who faithfully held the post for 12 years.

“I am so grateful for this opportunity,” said McCrady, 37. “I want to do well and to carry on the work and service Helping Hands has been known.”

McCrady played football for the Lions during the 1990’s and participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes while in high school. He earned a business degree at the University of Houston-Clear Lake in Pasadena and is currently working on his master’s degree at Dallas Baptist University.

He will concurrently serve Anthony Drive Baptist Church as Youth Pastor while directing Helping Hands. His high school friend, Matt Walker, is the senior pastor at Anthony Drive.

Asked about how he is merging his ministry to young people while holding the reigns at the 29-year-old facility known for helping families in need, McCrady said “it’s a very good blend. I’m a bi-vocationalist on staff at the church, and the mission of Helping Hands, serving people, is a compliment to the church. It is a marrying of the two.

“Matthew chapter 25 compels us to clothe the naked and to feed the hungry,” he continued. “We’re told in I John 4 that God is love, and his followers are to love others. That is our responsibility… to love people from all walks of life.”

Located at 604 NE Main Street, just east of the railroad tracks, Helping Hands is a food distribution center and provides clothing and financial (rent/mortgage and some utility bills) assistance to families in crisis. It is also home to a Thrift Shop directed by Tish Brown. The outreach is a proud member of the Greater Ennis United Way.

Many individuals, families, businesses and organizations support Helping Hands by purchasing and delivering food products or donating items for the thrift store. McCrady said their most prominent needs are for donations and volunteers.

Food distribution event, May 15

On Friday, May 14, from 5:00-6:30 p.m., Helping Hands is hosting a food distribution for the community. McCrady mentioned they have need of a number of volunteers for that project.

“We have limited parking space here,” he added, “so volunteers are needed to deliver containers of food as well as fresh fruit and produce that will arrive that afternoon, right to people in their vehicle.”

Anyone interested in making a donation or in volunteering should call to their offices at 972-875- 0218. Helping Hands is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

McCrady’s parents, Ken, a barber in Corsicana, and Sherry Cepak, reside in Ennis. Born at the old Ennis Hospital in town, McCrady has two local siblings in sister Kerry Holifield and brother Kolby McCrady. His grandfather, Ken McCrady, was known to many. He was the president and CEO at Ennis Business Forms from 1979 to 2000. He passed away in 2015.

Helping Hands is planning their major, annual fund-raiser, the Taste of Ennis, which is usually scheduled in September. They are also considering a project around Christmas.

Beloved former Dir. Judy Hejny

The face and spirit of Helping Hands for over a decade, Hejny (HAY-nee), is going to remain involved during the transition as well as assisting in the financial office.

“While I am leaving my post as the executive director, I’m not going too far! I will remain as bookkeeper,” she said. “Korey is stepping into the role. I have enjoyed getting to know him and working with him. I think he is going to excel in his new position.

“I do want to take this opportunity to thank all of the board members and the community who have supported me and the agency these last twelve years. It has been an honor and privilege to serve. I know I can count on you to provide Korey the same support and help that you have given me.”

McCrady acknowledged the benefits of leadership provided by Hejny and that of Joyce Lindauer, the president of the board of directors. “We haven’t, nor are we lacking for vision or direction. These women are strong at heart.”