Our History

The Hope House was born out of a great need in West Texas.

Ruth Ann Wilkinson, the visionary behind Hope House, was diagnosed with colon cancer and lost her battle at 40 years old in 1996. During her fight against cancer, Ruth Ann Wilkinson started a campaign to open Hope House, a home away from home for patients to stay and live during their treatment. Ruth Ann’s vision was to provide hope for the minds, bodies and spirits of the cancer patients and their loved ones.

Other individuals continued to carry and move forward with Ruth Ann’s vision. In 2004, Mary Collier, Fred Newman, and other Midlanders pooled their resources and formed an advisory board and began the process of filing for an EIN. In 2005, Gifts of Hope began with a small advisory board passionate for the mission.

Since 2008, the Hope House has provided over 10,000 room nights to cancer patients at no cost and served over 4,000 patients in the Permian Basin.

Gifts of Hope not only provides free lodging at the Hope House but also assists cancer patients with lodging, medical & dental bills, transportation, and other necessary support during cancer treatment.

Board of Directors

As a not-for-profit 501c3 organization, Gifts of Hope is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors

Lyn Ford - President

Stonnie Pollock - Vice President

Laurie Belew - Secretary

Paula Howbert - Treasurer

JD Benton - Board Member

Taylor Billingsley - Board Member

Dylan Carpenter - Board Member

Ray Fieldhouse - Board Member

Anthony Gilliland - Board Member

Joshua Groner - Board Member

Jessi Pitts - Board Member

Kyle Wright - Board Member

Staff

Clinton Dickson - Executive Director

Christie Gesell - Associate Director