Megan Navarro
KYLE — Sherry Hamilton hosted a surprise gathering for her sister’s birthday, which was on Christmas, many years ago, and about 12 women showed up — they talked, laughed and played karaoke. After that, everyone realized that “we needed one another,” Hamilton shared, so they kept doing those gatherings again and again.
In 2000, it was on Hamilton’s heart to turn it into a real organization because it was more than just women gathering, it was a chance to come together to encourage, support and empower one another. The group, called Women of Unity, became official in 2008 and then, later established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization rooted in faith, love and unity, dedicated to empowering women of all ages to discover their purpose and build stronger lives for themselves and those around them, she said.
The organization is all about women coming together with their skills, knowledge and resources to try and help not just other women, but families and men, as well.
“We partner with amazing women. We have women that have businesses, women that have their own nonprofit organizations and just individuals. We come together, we bring our resources together,” Hamilton explained. “One thing that I always do when we have meetings and things, I always hand out a puzzle piece and I remind every woman that you are part of a puzzle. We need to get in your position ... Everybody comes from different places, different organizations, different denominations, but we stand together in love and unity.”
Women of Unity implements different programs, one of which is the Love & Hugs Karekits that has been around since 2016. This is where they deliver care packages filled with essentials and love to individuals that are widowed, senior citizens — ages 65 and older — adults with disabilities and individuals who are experiencing homelessness. These are filled with various donated items, such as the following: toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair combs and brushes, lotion, deodorant, stuffed animals, blankets, socks, toilet paper, adult diapers, soap, body wipes, mouth wash, denture cleaner and any other items that might be pertinent to senior care.
Another one of the many services that they offer is a Community Referral and Resources Services Help Line available at 737-295-8881, which is available throughout Hays County, but also anywhere in the U.S. and abroad, as well, as the volunteers who answer the call will help them find resources that are local to their area.
“We have women that answer that phone call and we help people find the resources that they need,” Hamilton said. “Whether it's shelter, whether it's food, whether it's clothes, whether they just need some support, they can call that number and we will walk with them.”
The organization does not have members, rather it’s all about partnerships. Anybody can volunteer, but Hamilton said for those who want to become a woman of unity and “help us really promote and [say], ‘I want to stand with you guys,’” they will need to go to the organization’s website, agree with the mission statement, fill out a survey and select a monthly pledge amount.
“It doesn't matter what [the amount] is to us. I know a lot of places do like ‘Okay, you have to do $50 or $100.’ No, we don't care. We just want people to sow into something, whether it's $5, whether it's $25; we want women to sow in,” she said. “We want to empower women to be a part, be effective and go back into the community and do something great.”
Women of Unity will be distributing the Love & Hugs Karekits at 4 p.m. at the Legacy Square Senior Apartments Nov. 13 and at 10 a.m. at the Springtown Villa Senior Apartments Nov. 15, both in San Marcos. The kits will serve all of Hays County, Hamilton said.
Donations for the kits can still be made until noon Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Kyle Area Senior Zone, Texas Pie Company and at Red Heart CPR in Kyle. Women of Unity asks for individuals to call 512-662-1031 to arrange drop-off at Red Heart.
More information about Women in Unity can be found at www.womenofunity.org.
