In 2023, we featured Be An Angel, a Texas-based non-profit organization which helps children with disabilities by providing adaptive equipment, hearing aids, respite care, select services, and support programs.  In addition to helping children across our state, the organization helps support a special needs orphanage in the Dominican Republic—Casa de Luz (House of Light). This mission effort helps abandoned children with severe special needs by providing a home, medical care, nourishment, physical therapies, and a loving family environment.

Jim Anderson, member of BAA Board of Directors, provided details in that feature of a mission trip to assist with construction of a water bottling plant adjacent to the orphanage. This idea was the vision of Ray Solcher, with the goal of making the orphanage financially self-sufficient.

Be An Angel coordinated and worked with the nonprofits Water at Work Ministries and Rotary International to raise over $380 thousand dollars in funding for this project and to get the water plant built.

Fast Forward to Today

This was a long and tedious effort, with a phase of required studies, followed by a phase of grant requests. Water at Work Ministries took the lead in the construction of the plant, which took over a year and a half to complete.  There were many requirements of the local government which had to be met, as well as weather delays.

After completion, there was a period of hiring and training 10 employees to run the plant on a day-to-day basis.

Finally, with the completion of the plant and passing all tests, the plant commenced bottling and selling the water.  On April 26, 2024, a ceremony attended by many of the local community and church members was held to dedicate the plant to the memory of Ray Solcher, whose vision had now become a reality.

The plant has now been producing 5-gallon water bottles on a regular basis and has increased production every month with a total of 16,028 produced since April and profits of over $10K during that time.  The goal to provide funding for the 38 special needs children at the House of Lights orphanage and 12 full-time staff who take care of these angels has now become a reality.

Thanks to North Shore Church, who together with Be An Angel, has provided funding to the orphanage for over 13 years and has been a faithful partner in this adventure.  And lastly, I must recognize my lost friends, Ray Solcher and Steve Watkins, who were so instrumental in providing inspiration and dedication for this special place for so many years.  

They are special people who never leave us, even after they have gone.

Jim Anderson, BAA Exec Bd