HUTTO – What started as a group fighting to keep fixed-income residents from losing their homes due to huge tax increases, has become one of the city’s most visible nonprofit organizations, with plans that could affect many other local charities as they grow.
“We started in 2020. There was a large property tax increase from the city that really hit the seniors and the disabled hard. And we got angry,” said Ida Weaver, one of the founding members of the group that is now known as Hutto Community Watch. “A few people in the community, all seniors, put out fliers and pulled people together and we lobbied city hall to do something about it.”
The organization, Hutto Community Watch, was successful, and council voted for an exemption and cap on increases due to their efforts. From there, the organization formalized and expanded into seven areas or “watches.” Volunteers of all ages focus on areas including city council, the school district, communication, neighborhoods, business start-ups and non-profit collaboration.
“If you’re interested in working with homeowners associations, get involved with the neighborhood watch. If you’re interested in new businesses, there’s the start-up watch,” said Weaver, who chairs the communications watch.
“Our objective is to encourage civic involvement at all levels. We want to stir people up and get them involved,” she said.
The group is hoping people get stirred up over the upcoming elections. They are hosting a political candidate forum Saturday, March 25. All seven city council candidates have committed to being at the event, which will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at 3250 Limmer Loop. It will also be livestreamed on the groups’ Facebook page, https:// www.facebook.com/ groups/220443913777353.
Another opportunity for involvement is the Community Picnic set for April 15, at Adam Orgain Park. This event features a collaboration of non-profit organizations that HCW and the American Legion help put together with Hutto Resource Center.
“This picnic is an amazing thing because it’s totally free to the community,” said Ed Wrinkle, HCW board member and post commander of the Richard A. Oman American Legion Post 302.
“Lots of different nonprofits will be there. We’ll have games and activities completely free. We’ll be teaching kids to kayak. One non-profit will be handing out kites for kiteflying. We’re expecting it to be double the size it was last year,” he said.
Enabling non-profits to work together seamlessly is an issue that tops HCW’s wish list. The organization meets regularly with the leaders of other non-profit groups to discuss how they are addressing the community’s needs and what they’re working on.
“What we’re seeing is the non-profits have no place to meet,” Wrinkle said. “So, we’re pushing for a place like a community center with shared offices for all the nonprofits, where everybody can come together … Together, as non-profits, we can do so much more for the community,” he said.
