November 13, 2024 - Four Shelby County non-profits were awarded grants from the John Harris Community Fund held at East Texas Communities Foundation (ETCF) in Tyler, Texas. On September 11, 2024, the four groups: Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Inc., Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center, Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library, and East Texas Food Bank meet with ETCF representatives for a check presentation inside the Historic Courthouse.
Dana Durman, ETCF Program Officer shared, “We are so happy to be part of the John Reagan Harris Community Grant and, as recipients, congratulations to all of you.”
She then recognized Kyle Penney, ETCF President. “Mr. Harris was a lifelong resident of Center, grew up here, went off to college but came back here. [He] taught in schools for a number of years, worked with his father in business for a number of years, but he loved this community. And the East Texas Communities Foundation is privileged to serve a number of people like that - who love their community and wanted to find a way to give back.” Penney described Mr. Harris' donation as a testamentary gift with the Harris family wanting it to last forever and continue to fund organizations in his community.
“Our offices are in Tyler but we serve 32 counties of East Texas and the way we do that is connecting with the community. Mr. Harris left this fund, wanted it to be spent here.” Penney continued, “So, the committee that actually reviews the applications is people from this community. I feel like that is absolutely what John Reagan would have wanted.”
Each organization was given the opportunity to tell how the grant funds will be used. First to speak was Denise Merriman with Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center, "We are so thankful for these funds. We are going to be using this funding to partially fund our newly named program director." Merriman explained the program director will work on educating the community on signs and how to report child abuse along with a focus on prevention efforts.
Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center. From left: Kyle Penney, Denise Merriman, Sarah Shires, and Chad Hooper.
Sherry Harding, Executive Director of Shelby County Outreach Ministries, "Our programs have been serving this community for over 27 years and we have four programs that help people in need." She explained the four programs as well as how many people they serve and gave thanks, "I don't have to tell you how important you guys are to us and we do appreciate everyone and everyone's part that they are playing in helping others. You know we are all on the same team, we all just have different platforms so thank you so much."
Shelby County Outreach Ministries. From left: Kyle Penney, Sherry Harding, and Josh Crawford.
Roy and Sandra Davis accepted the donation on behalf of the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library. Roy Davis shared the current library building was built in 1974 the funds will be used to provide new carpet in the library. He added, "We have a lot of folks who are interested in and involved with the library and we want to do something that is better, we want to bring it up to 21st century standards. We want to make it look nice and modern." The final words were words of thanks and gratitude.
Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library. From left: Kyle Penney, Dana Durman, Sandra Davis, and Roy Davis.
The final group to speak was the East Texas Food Bank. Stacey Wood, ETFB Chief Financial Officer, spoke about the importance of community support and because of distribution partnership with local ministries she explained, "Every year we are distributing half a million meals in Shelby County alone. That is just Shelby County. And thanks to these generous contributions and these partnerships this happens."
Regional East Texas Food Bank. From left: Kyle Penney, Dana Durman, Stacey Wood, and Genesis Boren.
About John Reagan Harris
John Reagan Harris was born August 4, 1929 and raised in Center, Texas. During his high school years, he was struck with polio after attending six-weeks at Camp Stewart. Missing much of his junior year, he fought his battle with polio with a determination and desire to graduate with his Center High School class, which he did in 1946.
After high school he attended Baylor and received a bachelor of arts degree in business, English and piano in 1950. He worked several years in the family business, then went back to school at SFA (1957) to earn his master of education degree. Harris taught English, Spanish and business at Center High School before returning to the business world by opening a home center and lumberyard.
Throughout his various careers, Harris also was an active member of First Baptist Church of Center, Texas. He served as church treasurer, pianist and organist, sang in the choir and was instrumental in the remodeling of the church and the installation of the organ.
Harris put service above self and served as the President of the Rotary Club in 1974-75 and received a Paul Harris Fellow in 1987. In 1985, he was Chairman of the Shelby County Historical Commission and was the Book-Chairman for the Shelby County History Book published in 1988. After spending his life committed to education, music, and the church, Harris passed away in 1999 at the age of 69. He designated funds to benefit the things he cherished during his life in Center, Texas. Those funds were allowed to grow so they could be setup into a long lasting fund.
Then in 2018 the John Harris Community Fund was started with the ETCF, a nonprofit corporation serving 32 counties in East Texas. The fund was established to support worthy civic, religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational projects which benefit the Center, Texas, community. Applicants must be tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or a governmental unit. The fund also provides scholarships to Center High School graduates.
Non-profits who have benefited from the John Harris Community Fund:
2024 - Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center, Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Inc., Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library, and East Texas Food Bank
2023 - Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Inc. (Food and Healthier Food Options, Emergency Food Boxes), Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center (General Operating), Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library (Internet Hot Spots, New Laptop Computer), Shelby County Historical Commission (Install Lighting in SC Historic Courthouse), and East Texas Food Bank (Backpack Program, Senior Box Program, SNAP Benefits)
2022 - Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Inc. (Provide meals to the elderly), Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center (Training), Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library (Large print books, wifi Hot Spots, Supplies, Shredder), Discovery Science Place (Provide Educational STEM Programs at Center ISD), and East Texas Food Bank (Purchase of food including fresh produce)
2021 - Boo’s Battle Support Fund (Financial Support for Families Battling Cancer), Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Inc. (Emergency Food Boxes, Help with Utility Bills, Medications, Emergency Lodging), Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center (Mental Health Staff), CASA of Deep East Texas (General Operations), East Texas Food Bank (Improve Core Services for Food Insecurity in SC)
2020 - Shelby County Outreach Ministries (Feed the Hungry, Assist the Needy) and First United Methodist Church (Media Ministry)
2019 - Fannie Brown Booth Memorial library (New Graphic Novels), Grace Manor (Foster Home Safety Kits), Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center (Forensic Interview Equipment), and City of Center (Soccer Complex)
