During COVID-19, many residents and corporations have come together to help other residents, emergency and frontline personnel, hospitals and the many nonprofits that now more than ever, need financial assistance and donations to aid those in need. The Howard Hughes Corporation is one of a number of corporations that answered the call.
The Howard Hughes Corporation believes in giving back to our communities, contributing to over 130 local nonprofit organizations each year through its Howard Hughes Cares initiative, known as HHCares. We sat down with Jim Carman, President – Houston Region for The Howard Hughes Corporation, to ask him how the developer has made a difference during these challenging times.
I know Howard Hughes contributes to nonprofit organizations. Have you provided additional donations during this pandemic?
Jim Carman: Yes, we are honored to show our appreciation through our Howard Hughes HHCares community-focused philanthropy efforts including additional contributions to the Montgomery County Food Bank, Interfaith of The Woodlands food pantry, Kids’ Meals, Meals on Wheels Montgomery County, Leadership Montgomery County’s donations program, Cy-Fair Helping Hands and the YMCA of Greater Houston. Although we give to many local organizations throughout the year, we tried to focus our attention on those in our community, which were impacted the most by Covid-19.
Along with The Howard Hughes Corporation, a number of corporations contribute to these nonprofit organizations as well as encourage employees to volunteer. Many of our own employee’s volunteer and contribute as well. I am so proud to call The Woodlands home.
How else have you been able to show your support?
Jim Carman: We also wanted to show our appreciation for our frontline workers. In May, we delivered boxed lunches from Sorriso Modern Italian Kitchen in The Woodlands to over 550 daytime medical and frontline team members at HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe to show our appreciation. And speaking of Sorriso, they prepared complimentary lunches for police and firefighters at allocated times throughout this pandemic.
We also gave thank you gifts to the Montgomery County Food Bank staff, who are working a tremendous number of hours and are crucial in helping our community.
During this world pandemic, there are blue lights throughout The Woodlands. What do the lights represent?
Jim Carman: The lights represent our gratitude. We are indebted to the healthcare professionals and frontline teams who are tirelessly caring for our residents through this pandemic. The Howard Hughes Corporation teamed up with The Woodlands Township and The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion to participate in the national Light it Blue campaign. Blue lights, showing our appreciation, can be seen at key landmarks in The Woodlands. Howard Hughes has also illuminated the sky blue in The Woodlands Hills, our newest master planned community in Conroe and Willis, and Bridgeland, the #1-selling master planned community in Texas, located in Cypress. The blue lights will stay on until July 2.
We honored these professionals even further by placing a heart-shaped image, showing our support to these workers, on The Woodlands Towers at The Waterway, along with designing a billboard on I-45 with a message of encouragement.
Are there any thoughts you would like to add for our community?
Jim Carman: The Howard Hughes Corporation believes in our residents, businesses, institutions, schools and nonprofit agencies in our local communities both in Montgomery and Harris counties. I would like to personally challenge everyone to make a difference by volunteering or financially contributing.
If you are in need of financial assistance or someone to just speak with about your own personal concerns, rest assured, there are a variety of nonprofit organizations who can assist you. They are just a phone call, email or visit away.
We are standing strong together!