Thank you, members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) for joining us during Foundation Month, a time to honor the charitable work done by our partner organization, the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF). Today, we focus on two of TRTF’s most vital, emergency need programs, “A Helping Hand” and Disaster Relief.
“A Helping Hand”
“A Helping Hand,” launched in 2010, provides public education retirees with charitable assistance for a one-time special need or other short-term hardship. Recipients include anyone who is receiving an annuity from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS). Applicants do not need to be a member of TRTA to apply.
Since its inception, “A Helping Hand” has awarded more than $285,000 in aid. This year, grants from TRTF’s “A Helping Hand” program have assisted retirees with medical and dental bills, energy bills, apartment rent, tree removal, car repair, hearing aids, and groceries.
Disaster Relief
TRTF’s Disaster Relief program assists public education retirees who require emergency financial assistance for a short-term hardship due to a disaster. Grant seekers are not required to be a member of TRTA but must be receiving benefits from TRS. This year, TRTF awarded Disaster Relief grants to repair home foundations due to flooding, roof repair due to hail, and property clean-up from wildfires.
To date, the Disaster Relief program has provided more than $471,000 in aid. With your help, TRTF will be prepared should another disaster strike and be ready to offer aid at a moment’s notice.
Do you, or does someone you know, need help?
Please email help@trtf.org for information and an application for “A Helping Hand” or Disaster Relief. Please note that applications are not posted online.
Please Donate
It is time to give big so that we may help our children, schools, teachers, and retirees. TRTF is determined to help. As a 501(c)(3), we are in a unique position to raise donations and deploy them through our unique charitable programs.
Please consider making your tax-deductible charitable contribution to TRTF today. You may donate online here or call 1.800.880.1650 and ask for Sarah.
Please stay tuned to the Inside Line throughout the month of November as we update you on TRTF’s programs and share stories from individual program recipients.
