Many Huntsville residents may think of the COME Center as a resale store in a little white building on Highway 75 North. The COME organization does operate a resale business, however, the COME Organization is so much more.
The Community Organization for Missionary Endeavor (COME) was founded in 1962 as an interdenominational, community service organization to assist all ages of Walker County residents who are in need. It was the first non-profit organization in Walker County.
Ms. Mary Estill and other community leaders formed COME out of their united concern for unemployment, inadequate housing, lack of prenatal care and other health needs, adult literacy, poor job training, and other problems associated with wide-spread poverty.
COME has served as initiator and implementor of many local charitable agencies. Through the years, members of COME have been instrumental in helping to establish several local programs, including the Huntsville Housing Authority, The Good Shepherd Mission, and the Senior Center of Walker County, as well as others.
Throughout almost 60 years, the store has had several homes. The store is now in a more permanent location behind the Walker County Senior Citizen Center. After Phase One of the building was completed, it didn’t take long for the facility to reach capacity. So in 2019, Phase Two began and the plan was implemented to increase the space with a 2,500 square foot addition. Several local businesses assisted in the planning and creation of the expansion.
The COME Resale Store advertises garage sale prices in an air-conditioned building. Almost any type of re-sellable items are accepted at the store. The most common donations are clothing, household items, books, toys, and kitchenwares. Now that the building addition is complete, the store has more space to accept more donations, including large pieces of furniture.
Many customers shop because of the quality of gently worn clothing. Others shop for household items, vintage finds, and craft projects.
Some donated items that are not suitable for sale are collected in a special truck for recycling. These items are sold for a small profit.
The Resale Store is operated by three regular employees and numerous volunteers. The men and women who work at the store are continuously sorting through the donated items and adding to the ever-changing inventory. Maria Zamudio is the store manager. She has worked as an employee for 24 years and has been the manager since 2017. Maria says, “The best part about working for COME is helping the community and seeing people appreciate our services.”
Another function of the COME organization is called Special Services. Each month, an average of 50 clients come to the center for some type of financial assistance. Those who qualify receive financial assistance to pay electric bills, water bills, or rent. This assistance typically results from an emergency or a loss of employment or an illness. The Special Services Program is funded by donations from local individuals, churches, businesses, and organizations. It is also coordinated and funded in part by bill donation programs from Mid-South Synergy and the City of Huntsville.
The number of homeless families with school-aged children in the community is alarming. COME works directly with school counselors and social services to provide emergency assistance for homeless school children and their parents/guardians.
COME offers brand new socks and underwear to young school-aged children as they start back to school. For many children, this is very exiting to have something personal that is brand new and is not gently used or even a hand-me-down. The positive feedback on this recent program has been incredible!
When a person needs appropriate clothing for a job interview, COME provides the needed clothing from the Resale Store. Individuals are generally referred by Texas Workforce Commission, but other referrals may be accepted as well. Free clothing, as well as consultation on appropriate dress and attire are available. In addition, the Resale Store will provide five additional outfits once the applicant is hired.
An annual scholarship of $500 is awarded to a Huntsville High School graduating senior. The scholarship is funded through the Endowed Memorial to COME by Pioneer Ruth Estill Finnegan. In recent years, COME has been able to select two additional recipients for scholarships of the same amount. These scholarships are available to any Walker County graduating senior or GED recipient with a propensity for community service. Each Spring, scholarship applications are available at the COME Center.
Through generous personal donations, store profits, utility company donations and grant funds, COME provides support for Walker County residents. The Board of Directors of COME believe it is their duty to be good stewards of the money entrusted to the organization. All donations are given back to the community. The Community Organization for Missionary Endeavor, Inc. is a 501 c (3) charitable organization and donations are tax deductible.
The COME Center is located at 342 Highway 75 North in Huntsville, Texas. Store hours are 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Follow COME on Facebook for upcoming events, sales and for pictures of current merchandise.
Postcards Magazine
936-293-1188
PO Box 690
Huntsville, TX 77342
