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Project MEND to host Gear Up For Mobility event at NB City Hall

Project MEND is excited to host its first Gear Up For Mobility event of the year, calling on the community to help make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with mobility challenges.

The Gear Up For Mobility event will take place on Saturday, June 28th, from 9 AM to 2 PM at New Braunfels City Hall, located at 550 Landa Street. 

For over 30 years, Project MEND—or Medical Equipment Network for those with Disabilities—has transformed lives by refurbishing and redistributing medical equipment to those in need. Based in San Antonio, the organization provides thousands of people of all ages with access to medical equipment & assistive technology that improves mobility and independence.

Through collection events like Gear Up For Mobility, Project MEND gathers used medical equipment, evaluates its condition, then refurbishes and sanitizes it to meet state safety standards before passing it on to those who need it.  

“Medical equipment you no longer use or need can make a profound difference in someone’s life,” said Project MEND Chief Development Officer Kristy Walston. “Donating equipment, regardless of its condition, can help restore mobility, independence, and dignity for individuals facing mobility challenges.”

With an increasing demand for assistive devices, Project MEND encourages the community to take part in this important initiative by donating unused medical equipment on June 28th.

Some of the most-needed items include rollator walkers, home hospital beds, wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, tub transfer benches, and raised toilet seating with handles.

If you are in need of medical equipment, you can request items online at projectmend.org or by phone at (210) 223-6363. Those requesting items must have a letter of medical necessity from their physician or a prescription.

Join Project MEND on June 28th and help Gear Up For Mobility—a single donation can change a life!

For more information, visit projectmend.org or follow @projectmendsa on social media.

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A lifeline for mental health: Understanding 988 and community efforts

Since 2014, the McKenna Foundation has heard from the community and local nonprofit partners, recognizing the need to expand mental health services in Comal County. In response, the Foundation launched the Behavioral Health Leadership Team (BHLT), bringing together mental health experts, law enforcement, school districts, and civic leaders to address these challenges.

Since its first meeting, the BHLT has driven the creation of Mental Advocacy Partners (mapcomal.org), an online and in-person resource that connects individuals to professionals who offer help and hope. In 2015, the coalition introduced the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), a dedicated team of professionals available 24/7 to assist those experiencing a mental health crisis. Most recently, the BHLT sparked the development of an online resource directory, Comal Cares (comalcares.org), which launched in November 2024.

In April 2025, the BHLT reconvened to focus on substance misuse, sparking a discussion about 988, a vital but often overlooked resource.

Introduced in 2022, 988 serves as the nationwide dialing code for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Functioning as the 911 of mental health emergencies, this resource connects callers to the help they need.

Since its launch, 988 has routed 14,568,848 contacts, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In February 2025 alone, the Suicide Abuse and Crisis Lifeline answered nearly 334,000 calls, with an average pickup time of 34 seconds and nearly 14 minutes of conversation per call.

Despite its critical role in providing mental health support, 988 faces funding challenges that would impact its ability to serve those in crisis. Budget proposals have suggested several cuts to 988 services, and without sustained investment, response times may increase, and specialized services, such as those for LGBTQ+ youth, could be eliminated entirely. These funding challenges also extend to the Veterans Crisis Line, where a shortage of mental health professionals and longer wait times could also have serious consequences.

As of now, however, mental health professionals are still available and ready to take your call, text, or chat.

For Veterans, active service members, and their loved ones: Dial 988, then press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL). You can also text 838255 or chat online through VCL Chat.

For Spanish speakers: Dial 988, then press 2. You can also text AYUDA to 988, or start a chat in Spanish at chat.988lifeline.org.

For LGBTQI+ Youth and Young Adults: Dial 988, then press 3. You can also text PRIDE to 988, or chat at chat.988lifeline.org and select “LGBTQI+ trained crisis counselor.”

For Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Individuals: Access 988 via videophone by visiting 988lifeline.org/deaf-hard-of-hearing-hearing-loss/ and clicking “Web Portal.”

No matter who you are or what you are facing, 988 is available 24/7, 365 days a year. You are not alone—help is just a call, text, or chat away.

Locally, the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) is also available 24/7, 365 days a year. If you or someone you know is in need of immediate in-person support, call MCOT directly at 1-877-466-0660. MCOT may also be deployed by dialing 988, if the trained mental health professional determines that an in-person response is necessary.

Other local mental health resources include: Hill Country MHDD (830-620-6221), RecoveryWerks! (830-310-2456), River City Advocacy (830-643-0200), Communities in Schools (830-620-4247), Mental Advocacy Partners (mapcomal.org), and Comal Cares (comalcares.org).

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, dial 911.

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CHRISTUS Health, McKenna to unveil new Kids Clinic exhibit on June 20

Exciting new adventures await at the McKenna Children’s Museum, where young explorers will step into a brand-new hospital clinic exhibit, designed for immersive learning, hands-on discovery, and endless fun!

On Friday, June 20, the Museum and CHRISTUS Health will celebrate the grand opening of the exhibit during the Summer Kickoff Party, which will run from 11 AM to 2 PM.

The exhibit, presented in partnership with CHRISTUS Santa Rosa New Braunfels and CHRISTUS Children’s, will bring healthcare to life through engaging experiences. Children will have the chance to explore the medical world through playful and interactive experiences such as an X-ray station, a new and improved ambulance, and other exciting features.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with CHRISTUS on this exhibit,” said McKenna Foundation CEO Alice Jewell. “This space will allow children to learn about healthcare in an immersive way. We are grateful to CHRISTUS for bringing this vision to life and look forward to seeing our guests enjoy it.”

Alongside the health clinic exhibit’s grand opening, the Summer Kickoff Party will feature a variety of engaging health-related activities. Young visitors can participate in a teddy bear clinic, where they’ll perform diaper changes and take X-rays—teddy bears will be provided.

The event will also include a children’s hospital ambulance, photos in surgical gear, a surgical robot demonstration, and more. Beyond the hands-on learning experiences, visitors can also enjoy music and delicious food from Munchies Locos, Food Coma, and Comal Pops throughout the event.

Activities are included with Museum admission, and don’t forget to wear CHRISTUS purple for a special $6 admission.

For more details on the Summer Kickoff Party and the exhibit grand opening, visit www.mckennakids.org. Stay up to date with Museum events by following @mckennakids on Instagram and Facebook.

Keep up with CHRISTUS Health by following @christushealth on Instagram and @christussantarosa on Facebook, or visit www.christushealth.org.

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CCSCF and Choose Kindness Campaign seek community involvement and support

For over 40 years, the Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation (CCSCF) has been dedicated to serving the seniors of New Braunfels and Comal County. However, in the face of rising food costs, reduced funding, and increasing demand, the CCSCF and the Choose Kindness Campaign are asking the community to step forward and take action.

At the heart of the CCSCF’s mission is their home-delivered meals program, a lifeline for seniors who rely on it for nourishment and connection. Over 76,000 meals are delivered annually to more than 570 local seniors. These meals not only provide nutrition, but they also serve as a promise that our neighbors are not forgotten. Yet, financial challenges threaten the continuation of this critical program.

Food insecurity is a growing crisis in Comal County, affecting nearly 14% of the population, including homebound seniors who depend on home-delivered meals. With a 57% decrease in federal funding, CCSCF must cover that shortfall. That is why, alongside the McKenna Foundation’s Choose Kindness Campaign, CCSCF is calling on the public to come together and ensure our seniors can continue to thrive.

One powerful way to make a difference is by joining CCSCF for its inaugural Sizzlin’ for Seniors BBQ Bash, an evening of good food, great music, and community support.

Sizzlin’ for Seniors BBQ Bash takes place on Friday, June 6, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the CCSCF (710 Landa Street). Tickets are available now at www.nbsenior.org.

At the event, guests will enjoy delicious BBQ from Smokey Moe’s, live music by Texas Tide Band, and exciting raffles and auctions featuring prizes from Ernesto’s, Granzin’s, Texas Tubes, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and more.

Supporting the CCSCF doesn’t stop there, the Choose Kindness Campaign will also be recognizing a special individual who goes above and beyond in their efforts to help our local seniors.

Between June 16 and June 30, the CCSCF and McKenna’s Choose Kindness Campaign will track volunteer hours and donations, selecting an individual to be spotlighted on the Brauntex Theatre marquee, awarded with a $50 Café 46 gift card, and further honored through social media.

Whether it’s volunteering at the 7Ten Activity Center, delivering meals through CCSCF, assisting with lunch service, or making a generous donation, every effort makes a difference.

Choose Kindness today and join CCSCF in making a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors in Comal County. Together, we can ensure no senior goes without a meal or the support they deserve.