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4 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group 8 HOMETOWN GRADUATES Congratulations and well wishes to the class of 2026! 10 A LEGACY DELIVERING LIFE For decades before his recent retirement, Dr. Robert Meyer was a steady presence in San Angelo’s most life-changing moments, ushering thousands of babies into the world while guiding families through joy and loss alike. 16 NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS Meals for the Elderly has provided nutritionally balanced hot lunches to San Angelo and neighboring county residents for more than 50 years. 24 BACKYARD TO BELONGING House of Faith has shaped generations of San Angelo families. 32 HOMETOWN HAPPENING 110th Annual San Angelo Chamber of Commerce Banquet 36 IN HIS HANDS After a devastating accident left their toddler fighting for his life, Matt and Megan Nelson chose faith over fear and forgiveness over blame. Their journey reveals how miracles can emerge from tragedy. 44 HOMETOWN HAPPENING San Angelo Stock Show On the Cover Contents 50 A SEASONED FOOD MINISTRY The Daily Bread Lunch Program at Wesley Trinity United Methodist Church provides lunch six days a week to anyone who needs it, no questions asked. 56 HOMETOWN HAPPENING City of San Angelo Employee Appreciation Luncheon 60 SHINING A LIGHT ON OPPORTUNITIES Local agencies band together monthly to help San Angelo’s struggling neighbors with everything from food and clothing to health and hygiene items to medical services, jobs and housing. 66 FOR THE LOVE OF DONKEYS Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue is a safe haven for hundreds of rescued donkeys as the world’s largest organization of its kind 74 4-H SPOTLIGHT This graduating group of accomplished 4H’ers have over 50 years of service, memories and accomplishments combined. 44 60 10
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6 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group San Angelo Lifestyles Magazine© is published bi-annually by Hometown Media Group hometownmedia.group 502 N Main Street PMB 116 | Weatherford, TX 76086 817.599.6167 | PROUDLY PRINTED IN THE USA WRITERS Seth Marsicano Haley Ragsdale Becca Nelson Sankey Ellen Slater Jessica Wesson PHOTOGRAPHERS Brian Groves Devin Sisk Photography God’s Creation Photography Haven Collective ON THE COVER Photo provided by Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue Casey Perkins Executive Publisher Brooke Graham Marketing & Client Relations Social Media Editor brooke@hometownmedia.group Camela Dietrich Accounts Receivable accounting@hometownmedia.group S “They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” - Lamentations 3:23 Brooke Graham Summertime is around the corner and as a sun, heat and beach lover, I could not be more ready! I live for the longer days of more sunlight, dips in the pool, baseball season in full swing and a more laid-back schedule without the kids in school. The transition from late spring to summer is also marked with newness. A desire to start fresh in whatever capacity that may look like for you; working out for the upcoming swimsuit season, spring cleaning and purging the old, taking up a new hobby or setting new goals. Newness is always fresh and exciting, but one of the things that I’ve realized about myself is how quickly I become complacent when that newness wears off and ready to move onto the next new and shiny thing. My current goal is to slow down, savor each day as it comes and not to get anxious and ahead of myself wishing and hoping for something that is happening down the road. I encourage you to give yourself some space to do the same. Go ahead and take some ‘me time’ now to browse through the following pages and read about the people and organizations in our community who are really embodying what it’s like to live in the moment. You’ll meet Dr. Meyer, who recently retired after helping thousands of newborns take their first breath, brave little Kash Nelson whose inspirational fight teaches us to remain steadfast in our faith, and some awesome graduating seniors in our 4-H Spotlight and Hometown Graduates sections who always have a way of reminding me how quickly the years go by and to slow down and savor every moment. As always, I would love to hear from you! If you have a good story, know someone who deserves to be featured, have a newborn or a graduate to celebrate or if you just want to reach out and let me know your tips for slowing down and living in the moment, feel free to email me anytime at brooke@hometownmedia.group. Happy reading! Hello San Angelo! Susan Avery Lead Creative Design WANT TO JOIN OUR TEAM? We are currently seeking a Sales Account Executive for the Concho Valley! If you are: • ENERGETIC • SELF MOTIVATED • ENJOY MEETING PEOPLE WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! HEAR FROM YOU! Please send your resume to: casey@hometownmedia.group or call (817) 599-6167 to learn more.
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8 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group Graduates HOMETOWN 1. Ava Scott | TLCA LaShay Photography 2. Colton Hill | Premier HS Winpic Photography 3. Ramero Ochinang | Central HS Toni Marie Photography 4. Scarlet Klaras | Central HS Ellie Ruth Photography 5. Peyton Jones | Lakeview HS J Photography LLC 6. Ava Morgan | Robert Lee HS Ellie Ruth Photography 7. Bobby Joe Jones III | Robert Lee HS Ellie Ruth Photography 6 1 2 3 7 5 4 Join us in congratulating them with prayers & well wishes for their future endeavors. Contact our office for information on being featured in our next HOMETOWN GRADUATES SECTION. office@hometownmedia.group
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10 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group Written by BECCA NELSON SANKEY | Photos provided by DR. ROBERT MEYER For decades before his recent retirement, Dr. Robert Meyer was a steady presence in San Angelo’s most life-changing moments, ushering thousands of babies into the world while guiding families through joy and loss alike. A LEGACY Delivering Life A brochure Shannon published in 1993 featuring Dr. Meyer and his two children when they were young.
11 hometown living at its best AAfter 35 years as a beloved obstetrician and gynecologist within the Shannon Health System – 35 at Shannon Medical Center and 30 at Shannon Clinic – Dr. Robert Meyer has settled well into retirement. He hung up his scrubs in January 2026 and, a month later, agreed to an interview with San Angelo Lifestyles Magazine, but was so engrossed in yard work that he forgot about the appointment. Not being tethered to his phone is new for Meyer, who once fielded a work call in the middle of the Israeli desert during a visit to the Holy Land with his wife, Louellen. But the focus he poured into his yard is not new. That same intensity of that steady, hands-on and exacting work defined his three-plus decades in medicine. He grew accustomed to 60-hour work weeks performing intricate surgeries and delivering between 7,000 and 10,000 newborns. “It’s hard to know for sure,” he said. “If you’re supervising a resident and standing there helping deliver, did you deliver that baby? There are a lot of ways to count.” The number is staggering either way. But for Meyer, the math was never the point. “It’s kind of like schoolteachers,” Meyer said. “They only remember the best students and the worst students. If I can remember the room you delivered in, it was a very stressful delivery.” He still remembers moments when heart rates dropped and time seemed to narrow to a pinpoint. “The baby is having trouble and you’re trying to determine the fastest way to get it out,” Meyer said. There’s even a term in obstetrics called audible bleeding, when blood hits the floor hard enough to be heard. “The reason we deliver in hospitals,” he said matter-of-factly, “is because it can be a pretty rough experience for all of us.” And yet, for every harrowing moment, there were dozens brimming with joy. “The fun ones are when they’re really excited,” Meyer said. “The dads especially. People assume they’re in the waiting room with cigars. But some of them are incredibly engaged. You watch them see their baby for the first time, and they start crying. That’s fun.”
12 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group It’s Meyer’s blend of clinical precision paired with quick humor that has endeared him to generations of patients. Kellie Ryan-Wilson, a certified nurse-midwife and nurse practitioner at Shannon, has known him for 35 years, first as a patient and then as her supervising physician. “If there’s something like a needle-in-a-haystack diagnosis, he’s going to be the one to find it for sure, and he won’t stop until he finds the answer,” Ryan-Wilson said. “He just likes things to be done the right way, and he is an excellent teacher.” One of his favorite delivery stories involves a woman whose husband was deployed in Iraq. The plan was to induce labor once he returned home, but delays kept pushing back his arrival. At one point, he was stranded in Dallas, flying standby, unable to secure a seat to San Angelo. Sitting in the airport lounge, he began explaining his situation to the man beside him: Mark Duncan, a Shannon athletic trainer. Duncan gave up his seat. “The baby’s father walked in the room with me all the way from the north of Iraq,” Meyer said. “He just barely made it. It was pretty emotional for everybody.” But Meyer is the first to admit that not all stories end so neatly. In his 40 years as a physician, he walked families through devastating diagnoses: babies with abnormalities incompatible with life, miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies. “One out of four pregnancies end in miscarriage,” he said. “For most people, that’s a statistic. For the person it happens to, it’s 100 percent.” Asked how he handled that, Meyer replied, “Anybody who says they don’t take it home isn’t being honest. You carry it forever.” Over time, he learned that faith often made the difference in how families endured loss. He recalled standing in a preoperative room, holding hands with the father of a patient, a minister, before surgery. The man prayed, “Let us not tell You what the outcome will be, but give us strength to accept Yours.” “There’s truth in that,” Meyer said. “You can do everything the same way every time, and the outcome can still be different. We don’t always have control.” Years ago, Meyer was preparing to operate on a young woman who was afraid and didn’t have any family. Michael Pfeifer, then bishop of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, visited her beforehand and told Meyer, “You’re doing God’s work.” “It always impressed me that despite his stature in the church, he came personally to see her because she truly was ‘the least of these,’” Meyer said. “I will miss profound moments like that.”
13 hometown living at its best TOP: Some of the babies Dr. Meyer has delivered throughout the years. BOTTOM LEFT: Dr. Meyer and his wife, Louellen during a trip to the Holy Land. Meyer said he received a call from work while he was there. BOTTOM RIGHT: Lynda and Dr. Lourell Sutliff at Meyer’s Welcome to San Angelo party. Sutliff was Meyer’s first partner.
14 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group For all the science modern medicine has mastered, some mysteries remain. “We still don’t know what starts labor. It just starts.” Asked how to naturally induce labor, Meyer deadpanned, “Walk. Have intercourse. Just don’t do them at the same time.” It’s this easy humor that softened tense rooms and steadied anxious mothers. “I had a patient once who said she didn’t start worrying until I stopped telling jokes!” Meyer said. Patients and colleagues also trusted Meyer for his presence. “If I had a difficult case or just wanted to run something by him, he would stop what he was doing and sit down and talk,” Ryan-Wilson said. “It was never, ‘Hey, I’m too busy.’ He always made time.” At home, obstetrics was simply part of life. His two children learned early that babies “come two ways.” They’d ask whether it would be a “long baby” or a “short baby” which was their shorthand for C-section or vaginal delivery. “Even when you’re not on call, you’re on call,” Meyer said. “There’s always a problem following you around.” In recent years, staffing shortages made the pace even more grueling. “Same number of deliveries, fewer doctors,” Meyer explained. “The workload just got heavier at a time when I was ready for it to get lighter.” So, Meyer adjusted. He left the clinic but still works five days a month in labor and delivery – partly, he admitted, for health insurance, and partly because stepping away completely is not his modus operandi. “When you’re a workaholic, and most doctors are, it’s hard to just turn it off and sit on the porch,” he said. Still, retirement has opened space for longpostponed projects and trips. And perhaps most luxuriously, silence. “What I enjoy most,” he said, “is being detached from the telephone.” After three decades of ushering thousands of San Angelo’s newest residents into the world, Dr. Robert Meyer is learning how to slow down. His yard may be the current beneficiary of his meticulous attention, but the imprint of his work in delivery rooms, operating rooms and grateful families across West Texas will outlast every season. With so much to discuss, our interview lasted well over an hour. When I apologized for keeping him, Meyer waved it away with a laugh. “I’m retired!” he exclaimed. They are words he, and undoubtedly his former patients and colleagues, are still adjusting to. † RETIREMENT HAS OPENED SPACE FOR LONG-POSTPONED PROJECTS AND TRIPS. AND PERHAPS MOST LUXURIOUSLY, SILENCE. “WHAT I ENJOY MOST, IS BEING DETACHED FROM THE TELEPHONE.” - Dr. Robert Meyer
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16 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group Written by ELLEN SLATER | Photos Provided by SUZANNA VALENZUELA Meals for the Elderly has provided nutritionally balanced hot lunches to San Angelo and neighboring county residents for MORE THAN 50 YEARS.
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SSan Angelo's Meals for the Elderly not only provides hot meals to elderly and disabled area residents, but every delivery brings with it a wellness check, a friendly face and peace of mind for recipients and their families. The organization serves San Angelo and residents of Irion, Concho and Miles counties. Each weekday, volunteers prepare and deliver more than 600 meals in San Angelo alone. According to Suzanna Valenzuela, Director of Marketing and Development for Meals for the Elderly, more than 2,700 volunteers prepare and deliver meals each year. "Meals for the Elderly is about food, but more importantly, it's about dignity, friendship and the San Angelo spirit of neighbors helping neighbors," she said. "Our trained volunteers have the same residents on their assigned routes, so they really get to know them. They provide a wellness check and a friendly face." On Fridays, volunteers deliver sack lunches for the weekend. Clients who live in rural areas receive frozen meals twice per week. The organization also provides staple food bags to clients each quarter as well as incontinence supplies and pet food to those that qualify. "One of my favorite deliveries are the birthday bags," said Valenzuela. "One of our clients recently turned 103, and we had a big celebration for her, even Mayor Thompson came out to her home." 18 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group
19 hometown living at its best High School students from San Angelo I.S.D.'s Bridge Program are responsible for making the birthdays bags as well as the holiday bags. " Our high school students also help out in the kitchen," said Valenzuela. "Volunteering with us teaches them important life skills such as time management and how to interact with others." According to Valenzuela, volunteers and community support are the backbone of Meals for the Elderly. "We're a non-profit organization so we're funded primarily through donations, gifts, grants and fundraisers," she said. "The San Angelo community is very supportive of our organization. I don't think any non-profit survives for more than 50 years without support from the community." Groups from area churches, fraternal organizations such as the Rotary Club and area businesses also volunteer their time and help. "Meals for the Elderly is a pretty huge organization with lots of different opportunities to give back," said Valenzuela. "We have some volunteers who've been with us more than 30 years. What touches me the most are the inter-generational families where grandparents, parents and now children give back to the community." Homebound residents can apply to receive the meals online, or they can call the Meals for the Elderly office for additional assistance. Once in the program, clients receive a visit from their caseworker each year. " We feel we're going to see an increase in the number of residents we serve due to recent federal legislation which may cut the level of funding for programs such as Medicare," said Valenzuela. "We will need volunteers more than ever." Meals for the Elderly hosts several fundraisers each year. This past October they held a Dinner and Dueling Piano event at the First Financial Pavilion. "It was a really nice night which included a cocktail hour and steak dinner, followed by live entertainment," said Valenzuela. "It was a night to celebrate our accomplishments." This year's fundraiser will be a Singing Showdown. "We're always looking for sponsors and volunteers to help out with our fundraisers," she added.
20 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group And although she has only served as the organization's Director since last May, Valenzuela was herself a volunteer years ago. "I volunteered after my mom died, in honor of her and because I believe in the work we do." Valenzuela grew up in San Angelo and her husband, Daniel, serves as City Manager. The couple has five adult children and seven grandchildren. Valenzuela says she 'came out of retirement' to serve as Director of Marketing and Development. "I'd retired from the tourism industry, but the Meals for The Elderly Director recruited me for the position." She says her favorite aspect of serving as Director is being able to highlight the volunteers and the clients they serve. "It's wonderful to share our story and highlight our volunteers in the media and on social media," she said. "Our volunteers are essential to our organization. My job as director is very rewarding and motivational." † For those interested in volunteering for Meals for the Elderly, call 325-655-9200 or visit their website at www.mealsfortheelderly.org. 2026 EVENTS CLAY SHOOT- JUNE 13 DUELING PIANOS- OCTOBER 15
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three state parks one adventure HQ Mineral Wells Plan your adventure @visitmineralwells 22 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group
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24 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group BACKYARDS TO BELONGING Written by JESSICA WESSON | Photos Provided by HOUSE OF FAITH House of Faith Has Shaped Generations of San Angelo Families.
25 hometown living at its best IIn neighborhoods across San Angelo, a familiar routine unfolds each week after school. Children flock to local playgrounds while volunteers unload bins of balls, games and snacks. For an hour and a half, the space becomes part recess, part mentorship and part Bible lesson, a format that has defined House of Faith for more than three decades. What began in 1994 with a simple idea and an open backyard has grown into a ministry serving children, youth and families across the city. Today, House of Faith reaches every elementary campus in San Angelo, but its heart remains rooted in the same relational model that sparked its founding more than three decades ago. “House of Faith started in one backyard,” said Executive Director Marci Menchaca. “Families were praying about how to reach children who weren’t connected to church. They knocked on a door in a neighborhood just to learn about the community, and the family told them they could use their yard.” That unexpected invitation launched the first Backyard Bible Club. Volunteers arrived with sports equipment and games, unsure how many children might come. Sixty-three showed up on the first day. Originally, organizers planned to rotate through neighborhoods every few weeks. But the children quickly changed that plan. “They started asking, ‘Are you coming back?’” Menchaca said. “And the leaders realized they couldn’t not come back. The kids needed consistency. They needed mentors. They needed a place to belong.” So the ministry stayed and grew. One backyard club became two, then more. Over the years, volunteers and supporters joined the effort, opening yards and parks across San Angelo. Today, after 32 years, House of Faith is witnessing secondgeneration parents sending their children to the same ministry that shaped them.
26 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group For Menchaca, House of Faith has always felt familiar. A San Angelo native, she grew up in the community before attending Texas A&M University. During college, she became involved in Young Life and later worked at a Christian camp for more than a decade, experiences that deepened her passion for relational ministry. “I always understood God had a calling on my life to work with people and tell others about Him,” she said. “Relational ministry, which is building relationships and then sharing the love of Jesus through actions and words, captured my heart.” While she was away, her aunt helped establish House of Faith. The similarities between the backyard ministry and the camp environment she loved were unmistakable. In 2007, after returning to San Angelo and volunteering with House of Faith, Menchaca sensed a clear direction. “God made it very clear to me that I was supposed to come on staff,” she said. “I thought it would be for a season and here we are almost 20 years later.” She served in several roles before becoming executive director, but her favorite part remains unchanged: spending time with children in neighborhoods, building trust and sharing Bible stories. “The model is very simple,” she said. “And honestly, it looks a lot the same today as it did the very first day.” A CALLING THAT CAME HOME
BACKYARD BIBLE CLUB TODAY Each week, House of Faith teams arrive at elementary campuses and neighborhood spaces ready for what many students call their “second recess.” Children play basketball, gaga ball or football, reconnect with volunteers and friends, and burn off energy after school. Then they transition to lesson time. House of Faith writes its own curriculum, guiding students through Old and New Testament stories, memory verses and themed units. Lessons emphasize repetition and engagement, helping children internalize Scripture and understand faith as part of everyday life. But the program’s impact extends beyond play and teaching. Transportation is also provided, ensuring access for children who might otherwise miss out. “One of the most amazing things is that we’re able to offer rides home,” Menchaca said. “We really hope every child can come. If transportation is a challenge, we don’t want that to be the reason they can’t be part of House of Faith.” At its core, the Backyard Bible Club reflects the ministry’s full mission: to take Jesus to neighborhood children, youth and families, provide a sense of belonging, and strengthen their faith, enabling them to honor God with their lives and offer themselves in service to Him. “I believe the Backyard Bible Clubs hit all those points,” Menchaca said. “It’s a place where kids feel loved and seen.” 27 hometown living at its best
28 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group As early participants aged, House of Faith expanded to serve youth. Today, middle and high school students gather Monday evenings for the 321 Youth Program, named after the ministry’s address and to serve as a reminder that this is their place to belong. Teens are picked up, share a meal, play games and participate in worship or conversational teaching sessions led by staff and volunteers. Small-group discussions, Menchaca said, are especially meaningful for students who grew up in the backyard clubs. “It feels intimate to them,” she said. “They’re able to ask questions and share what’s going on in their lives.” The ministry’s third focus, families, has grown significantly in recent years. While House of Faith has long hosted family camps and events, a weekly Family Bible Study launched in 2022 has quickly flourished. What began with two or three couples meeting in a home now fills House of Faith’s campus on Tuesday evenings. Families share a meal, read Scripture and discuss questions together under the guidance of staff leaders. “It’s just the beauty of studying God’s Word together,” Menchaca said. “Families are learning how to be in Scripture and grow from it.” GROWING WITH CHILDREN
29 hometown living at its best 29 After three decades of serving children, House of Faith remains committed to its roots while dreaming of new possibilities, especially for family ministry. “When we reach the whole family, it strengthens them from the inside out,” Menchaca said. “Our hope is to see families thriving, healthy and whole.” Future visions include expanded support such as parenting resources and practical, Bible-based guidance. Yet Menchaca emphasizes that growth will continue to follow God’s timing. From one borrowed backyard to a citywide ministry, House of Faith’s story reflects a simple but enduring truth: consistent love changes lives. † LOOKING AHEAD
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HOMETOWN Happenings
33 hometown living at its best The San Angelo Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its 110th Annual Chamber Banquet, bringing together business leaders, community members, and partners for an evening celebrating the accomplishments and progress of the past year. With a lively Kentucky Derby–inspired atmosphere, guests enjoyed an evening filled with colorful hats, networking, and special activities such as the popular liquor pull. The event highlighted the strong spirit of collaboration that continues to drive San Angelo’s business community forward. During the evening, several distinguished individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the community. Among the honorees was Justin Jonas, President and CEO of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, who was named Citizen of the Year in recognition of his leadership, dedication, and commitment to strengthening the San Angelo community. The Chamber extends its sincere appreciation to the many sponsors, volunteers, partners, and attendees whose support made the evening possible. The Annual Banquet remains one of the community’s signature events, celebrating leadership, service, and the continued growth of San Angelo. Learn more about upcoming Chamber events and initiatives at SanAngelo.org. Photos by Haven Collective 110TH ANNUAL SAN ANGELO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Banquet
HOMETOWN Happenings
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36 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group Written by BECCA NELSON SANKEY | Photos Provided by MATT NELSON In His Hands
37 hometown living at its best AFTER A DEVASTATING ACCIDENT LEFT THEIR TODDLER FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE, MATT AND MEGAN NELSON CHOSE FAITH OVER FEAR AND FORGIVENESS OVER BLAME. THEIR JOURNEY REVEALS HOW MIRACLES CAN EMERGE FROM TRAGEDY. In four minutes — just 240 seconds — one cannot do much: answer a text message, read a few pages of a book, take fewer than 100 breaths. But in that short timeframe, life and its everyday minutia can change irrevocably, not in an explosion but in a flash. Matt and Megan Nelson know that all too well. Thursday, March 13, 2025, started out ordinary for the Nelsons and their close-knit family. Matt went to his home-remodeling job while Megan, stay-at-home mom to their two boys, Jax and Kash, then 2 and 1, dropped them off with her mother-in-law, Leslee Fleming, before heading to a pedicure. She had just slipped off her shoes when she noticed two missed calls from Leslee and immediately returned them. “I could hear her crying and saying, ‘Just go to the hospital; it’s really bad,’” Megan said, tearing up as her husband pulled her close. Matt was building a deck when his stepfather, Rodney Fleming, called to say Kash had been hurt. As he rushed to his car and headed toward the hospital, he called Megan, neither of them knowing what had happened. They would soon learn that Leslee, who often cared for her grandsons, had been making pancakes when Kash crawled through a doggy door into the back yard. Leslee and her daughter, also named Megan Nelson, searched the house before finding him floating in the swimming pool. I
“Everybody thinks something like this is never going to happen to them,” Leslee said, adding that she had taken every measure she could think of to keep her home safe. Neither Kash nor Jax had ever shown interest in the doggy door. “I don’t even know how to put it into words,” she said. “Going back to that day is a nightmare.” Matt’s sister, performed life-saving CPR on Kash, who is estimated to have been underwater for three to five minutes, before he was rushed to Shannon Medical Center. “They got him stable enough to where we could get on the flight to Austin,” Matt said. “Dell Children’s Hospital had one spot open, and we got it.” Megan rode with Kash on the helicopter to Dell, while Matt drove with his father, Mike Nelson, to meet them. Once there, doctors and nurses worked frantically to save Kash’s life. Megan prayed for a miracle. “I just said, ‘I can’t do this. I need You to take over and take control. Just give me the faith and the strength I need right now,’” she said. “I felt Him help me, and I knew Kash was going to be okay. The doctors were great, but he was in God’s hands.” It took a few days longer for Matt to surrender to God, even as doctors urged the family to prepare for the worst. Once the Nelsons reached the same place spiritually, they felt peace and even joy. “We joke about it now because people probably think we’re crazy, laughing while our son’s still in the ICU,” Matt said. “But you could feel the prayers in his room.” The Nelsons and Flemings leaned heavily on their faith in the days, weeks, and months that followed. Early on, Kash suffered from paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity, or neurological storms — a condition common after traumatic brain injury that can include fever, high blood pressure, and involuntary muscle contractions. After Kash received a tracheostomy and feeding tube, small signs of progress followed. Megan was alone with him when he first opened one eye. “I was in his face trying to talk to him, and I realized his face was too swollen,” she said. Seeing that one big blue eye “was the best feeling in the world,” she said. “I just cried.” 38 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group
39 hometown living at its best The following months were a blur of learning complex medical care, bracing for bad news, and moving forward with hope amid constant uncertainty. “The whole experience has just made us stronger, much closer to each other and to God,” Matt said. Kash remained in the ICU at Dell from March 13 to April 26 before moving to a rehabilitation room, a transition that made all the difference. “His whole demeanor changed,” Matt said. “ICU’s goal is to keep him calm. Rehab is when they were trying to get him to wake up because his thalamus was damaged.” On July 12, 121 days after the accident, Kash was released from Dell and welcomed home with a low-stimulation parade in Vancourt, about 21 miles southeast of San Angelo. Home life for the Nelsons, both 26, had completely changed. Before the accident, they followed a strict routine: a 7:30 p.m. bedtime for the kids, followed by video games together. Jax remained a lively toddler, but for Kash, gone were the days of crawling, dinosaur noises, and playing with his brother’s toys.
40 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group Today, their lives center entirely on their boys. Matt takes the overnight shift, monitoring Kash, administering medications, and managing trach care before waking Megan around dawn to trade places. “They’re just so amazing,” Leslee said. “I can’t believe two 26-year-olds can survive this and still have the love they do and work together as a team. And Jax doesn’t feel left out one bit. That’s all God.” Family members help with Jax, who now attends preschool, while a night nurse assists two evenings each week and two daytime nurses help with Kash’s care. Much of the family’s schedule revolves around Kash’s appointments, including physical therapy at West Texas Rehab. During an interview with San Angelo Lifestyles at WTR, therapists leaned the tow-headed toddler over a medicine ball, coaxed him to reach for toys, and cheered when he responded, each small win a miracle. Kash can now briefly hold his head up and breathe using an HME device. He can track movement, laugh, and babble. The Nelsons say they’ve had a crash course in pediatric nursing, particularly tracheostomy care, which is knowledge Megan hopes to someday share with other families.
41 hometown living at its best But on paper, Kash’s diagnoses remain daunting. “He is legally deaf, legally blind, shouldn’t be where he’s at,” Matt said. “But he’s a little fighter.” Despite the uncertainty, the Nelsons have made peace with what they cannot control. They also refuse to assign blame. “I knew God picked Leslee for a reason because He knows how much she loves my boys,” Megan said. “That’s why I never got mad.” “God knew we could handle it together,” Matt added. “It’s an accident that can happen to anybody.” Leslee believes there is a divine purpose. “I don’t feel like God would have kept him alive unless He had a reason to,” she said. The family also saw God at work through their community and across the country. Fundraisers, a GoFundMe totaling more than $77,000, and a stranger in Virginia who purchased a suitable SUV helped sustain them financially. More recently, Jason Sheffield of Life Saver Pool Fence of the Hill Country selected the Flemings to receive a free pool fence. The experience has reshaped Matt and Megan’s family and their faith. “This isn’t a testament just for us,” Matt said. “It shows everyone what faith can do.” In four minutes, not much can change, but everything can be set in motion for miracles to happen. † CHILDHOOD WATER SAFETY FACTS Source: National water safety data from the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics FACT: Drowning is the number one cause of death for children in the U.S. ages 1-4 FACT: For toddlers and preschoolers, most incidents happen in residential pools. FACT: For older children and teens, lakes and other natural bodies of water become more common locations. FACT: A large share of events occur during times that are not planned swim times, like when a child slips away unnoticed. FACT: Many cases are quick and silent, with no splashing or yelling. FACT: Formal swim lessons are associated with a meaningful reduction in risk. FACT: Layers of protection matter: barriers, supervision, life jackets, and water competency.
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HOMETOWN Happenings
45 hometown living at its best The San Angelo Stock Show took place February 5–22, bringing together youth exhibitors, families, and supporters from across the Concho Valley for weeks of competition and community pride. A cornerstone event each year, the stock show highlights the dedication and hard work of students who spend months preparing their animals for the show ring. Participants showcased cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and other livestock, demonstrating responsibility, discipline, and agricultural skill. The event also featured judging competitions, educational opportunities, vendor booths, and the highly anticipated premium auction, where community members showed their support by investing in local youth and their projects. More than just a competition, the San Angelo Stock Show continues to serve as a celebration of agriculture, education, and the strong community spirit that defines the Concho Valley. Photos by Devin Sisk Photography SAN ANGELO Stock Show
HOMETOWN Happenings
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48 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group
49 hometown living at its best What are You Celebrating? VisitGranbury.com
Written by BECCA NELSON SANKEY | Photos provided by WESLEY TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH The Daily Bread Lunch Program at Wesley Trinity United Methodist Church provides lunch six days a week to anyone who needs it, no questions asked. A Seasoned FOOD MINISTRY 50 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group
51 hometown living at its best P Picture this: Three hundred hungry neighbors driving, biking, or walking by at lunchtime for a hot meal — every bite funded by donations, carefully prepared and served by volunteers whose smiles are as nourishing as the food itself. That’s the heart and mission of the Daily Bread Lunch Program at Wesley Trinity United Methodist Church, a ministry that provides free lunches Monday through Saturday. Though not technically a “soup kitchen” anymore, the ministry has been serving up free food for the community’s hungry for more than four decades. According to the Daily Bread Lunch Program’s website, people from all walks of life, including those facing job loss or homelessness, began coming to Wesley Trinity Methodist Church during the economic recession of the early 1980s, seeking money, food, and medications. The church’s pastor at the time, Rev. Eugene Raphael, envisioned a soup kitchen and shared his idea with Rev. Robert Hedges of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. The two congregations worked together to form the Daily Bread Soup Lunch Program in 1984. Today, it remains one of San Angelo’s most impactful outreach ministries, a lasting example of faith in action. Since the soup kitchen’s inception, it has operated out of Wesley Trinity United Methodist Church, 301 W. 18th Street. Aside from its location, most everything else has changed, said Jessica Hoidahl, the program’s executive director. “Several years ago, they did a kitchen expansion,”
she said. “In the ’80s they were literally a soup kitchen serving just soup. Pre-COVID, we were serving meals inside.” When COVID struck, the lunch line grew longer than ever, stretching the kitchen and its volunteers thin. “It’s the latest example of the ebb and flow of things and how they affect people in the community,” Hoidahl said. “A pandemic affects people, including those who are already borderline food insecure. When COVID shut down the restaurant, we started doing takeout, and our numbers jumped so we couldn’t go back to dining in to maintain those numbers.” Today, the kitchen works like a well-oiled machine, with about 22 volunteer groups scheduled for specific days. Between five and fifteen volunteer cooks start arriving around 9 a.m., depending on the food being prepared. Other volunteers then plate and bag the lunch, assembly-line style, before the bags are delivered outside to the line of individuals and vehicles waiting. “Serving 300 people in two hours is a lot, and it goes by quickly,” Hoidahl said. “We just keep going until 1 o’clock or we run out of food.” Mildred Thompson, 81, began volunteering for the kitchen in 1996 after getting involved through her church. For over five years she’s led the same group of volunteers, most of whom are in their 70s or 80s. When Thompson started, the kitchen was serving only soup and bread to 50 people once or twice a week. She was also there when the kitchen underwent extensive renovations in the early 2000s. “While they were renovating, we had to cook on a regular stove,” she recalled. “I think we did that maybe for a month or so and, oh, we were so glad to get back. We had a walk-in refrigerator and freezer, and they redid the dining area. They had a little office for the director and a pantry.” Like Thompson, most of the volunteers - many of whom are affiliated with local churches, civic organizations and Goodfellow Air Force Base - 52 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group
53 hometown living at its best have a long history of helping the kitchen, Hoidahl said. “I have an operations coordinator and one of us is always here to help (new volunteers). We have health and food inspections, just like a restaurant does, and we’re here to ensure safety guidelines are followed.” Beyond the bustle of food prep and safety checks, the kitchen runs like the seasoned ministry it is. Each day’s meals, which cost roughly $900, come partly from the food bank and partly from donations. Grants occasionally fund big projects, such as the purchase of new kitchen equipment, but daily expenses rest squarely on donors, with a big boost from the annual city-wide San Angelo Gives campaign. Some food ministries require ID, an application, or are income-based, but, Hoidahl said, “If you come to us for a plate, we will serve you a plate of food.” Hoidahl worked for the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce and the San Angelo Association of REALTORS before being hired on at the kitchen more than two years ago. “Prior to this job I was attending City Council meetings, and I started learning more about the area. I'm relatively new to San Angelo, and I began hearing about needs from the
54 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group community that were taken to City Council. I had no intention of looking for another job, but I happened to run across this one, and what they were doing here really touched my heart. I applied, got the job, and I was just thrilled.” Seeing food insecurity firsthand has been eye-opening, she said. “You see that there are people working who need food, people who are living on the streets who need food, and just everything in between. You don’t really see that until you're directly helping them by handing them that plate of food. They might be wearing their work uniform and still need food because they have a family to feed, and maybe they're taking care of their family but without that they’d go without lunch.” For Thompson, volunteering at the kitchen is a labor of love. “There's a lot of people who are needy out there; sometimes that’s the only meal they’ll have that day, and they’ll come up and thank you. We’ve had people that were so thankful that they didn't have much of anything, but they might give us 50 cents. Sometimes people will come in and say, ‘Well, I went to the store today and I thought you could use this,’ and bring us a loaf of bread. Some might ask if they can take the trash out for us. That’s their way of letting us know that they were pleased and thankful.” Hoidahl said she feels every day that she’s helping her community because she hears it firsthand from the people who visit the kitchen. “We get so many thanks from them, and it is something that really affects you,” she said. “It's been a wonderful experience working here. All the volunteers know that what they're doing is really impacting lives directly, and I think that just leaves you with a really good feeling. It’s something that stays with you.” † The lunch program is open 11 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Donation checks may be mailed to Daily Bread Lunch Program, 301 W 18th St., San Angelo, TX 76903, or submitted via Paypal at www.dblpsanangelo.org.
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HOMETOWN Happenings The City of San Angelo recognized employees during its 2025 Employee Appreciation Luncheon held Feb. 19 at the McNease Convention Center. This event celebrates the hard work, dedication and excellence of City employees who go above and beyond in their service to the community. The City of San Angelo extends heartfelt congratulations to all honorees and thanks every employee for their continued service and excellence. Photos by Brian Groves CITY OF SAN ANGELO Appreciation Luncheon ANNETTE GARZA ERIC MARTINSON BRANDON DUPRE BRENDALEE BROWN BRYON FOX CHARLES MICHALEWICZ DANIEL AMEZCUA DIANA CRUZ FRANK LOPEZ VERONICA SANCHEZ TIM THOMPSON
57 hometown living at its best JEFF RAY JENNIFER MARTIN JOE BASCOM JONATHON FLORES JORGE MONSIVIAS JOSEPH ESCALONA KAREN PUTNAM LINDA WALLER LUIS LOZANO MICHAEL ROCHA NORA NEVAREZ ROBERT HALL SEAN FIELDS THOMAS DOSTER TIM SMITH
Employee of the Year: Building Permits Clerk Annette Garza. Up-and-Coming Employee of the Year: Deputy Fire Marshal Eric Martinson. 2025 Division Employees of the Year Airport- Tim Smith Development Services Department: Development Services Division- Uni Gaither Planning Division- Karen Putnam Permits Division- Annette Garza Economic Development Department- Nora Nevarez Engineering Department- Luis Lozano Finance Department- Jonathan Flores Fire Department- Eric Martinson Human Resources Department- Jennifer Martin Information Technology- Steven Thompson Legal Department- Bryon Fox Municipal Court: Municipal Court- Diana Cruz City Marshal’s Office- Bryan Miears Neighborhood and Family Services Department: Animal Services Division- Weston Winchester Code Compliance Division- Daniel Fisher Housing Division- Steve Diaz WIC Division- Noemi Benson Operations Department: Fleet Services Division- Jeff Ray Operations Administration Division- Charles Michalewicz Stormwater Division- Robert Hall Street and Bridge Division- William Reyes Traffic Division- Michael Rocha Parks and Recreation Department: Civic Events Division- William Franke Fairmount Division- Jorge Monsivias Fort Concho Division- Brendalee Brown Parks Division- Thomas Doster Recreation Division- Sean Fields Police Department: Administration- Joe Bascom Sworn Personnel- Barry Wike Public Safety Communications- Linda Waller Water Department: Customer Service Division- Joseph Escalona Utility Maintenance Division- Frank Lopez Water Distribution- Daniel Amezcua Water Reclamation Division- Brandon Dupre UNI GAITHER WILLIAM FRANKE WILLIAM REYES BARRY WIKE HOMETOWN Happenings
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60 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group Written by SETH MARSICANO | Photos provided by WEST TEXAS LIGHTHOUSE West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind has strengthened their outreach efforts to ensure everyone who is blind or visually impaired has the same opportunities as others. OPPORTUNITIES Shining a Light on
61 hometown living at its best BBeing blind or visually impaired is often considered a setback or roadblock for individuals who experience it. However, the West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind, a local nonprofit organization, is actively working to provide opportunities those people might miss otherwise. Many times, people with disabilities get taken advantage of and offered minimal pay in exchange for “experience”. This organization is not only trying to change the overlooking that happens to those who are blind or visually impaired, but to combat it by offering work. ”Our goal is not only to provide jobs, but jobs with benefits and pay commensurate with ability and performance,” Lorenzo Reyna, the Human Resources manager at West Texas Lighthouse, stated. Despite there being nearly 90 similar organizations like the West Texas Lighthouse throughout the United States, they are the only ones serving West Texas and the organization receives no direct federal or state funding. “We get our money the old-fashioned way, we earn it,” Reyna said. According to Reyna, 10 blind people established the San Angelo Association for the Blind in 1953. After realizing that blind people would need a place to work, West Texas Lighthouse was born exactly 10 years later. Reyna stated the organization has always had financial issues and has consistently struggled to make ends meet. The Lighthouse experienced losses yearly and its future looked bleak. When the organization first started, it oversaw a resale store and assembled mops and brooms. From there, products moved to pens and markers. The organization couldn’t pay off debts until the 90’s with new pen lines and components, but was able to stay afloat until then due to the overwhelming generosity of the San Angelo community.
62 san angelo lifestyles | hometownmedia.group Reyna said one of the key turning points in the organization's future was the invention of the Bend EZ pen. After a guard-stabbing in a Super Max Illinois prison, orders for this pen grew exponentially. Additionally, they developed the first ballpoint pen in the nation made from post-consumer plastic. Since then, they’ve been able to help countless individuals who are blind or visually impaired over the years. Currently, West Texas Lighthouse employs 75 people across their three locations: San Angelo, Midland and Abilene. “Each position represents more than just a job, it represents independence, dignity, and the chance to be a contributing member of the community. By creating stable and rewarding work environments, West Texas Lighthouse not only supports individuals but also strengthens families and communities throughout West Texas,” Reyna explained. “Our success has been due to a diversified product line and customer base. We offer over 140 products and over 700 SKU’s to state and federal agencies.” What started as an effort to create jobs, turned into a thriving organization with an impactful mission. The nonprofit operates like any small business would, according to Reyna. Those who are blind or visually impaired are performing tasks like anyone else would. These tasks range from customer service and logistics to product development and administrative roles. “This diversified employment mix has allowed us to create a path for upward mobility and has given our employees the hope of better and more interesting jobs,” Reyna stated. According to Reyna, more than 70% of blind adults are unemployed in the United States. He attributes this to limited opportunities, training barriers and much more. The talents of those who are visually impaired are often looked over. Reyna, who is legally blind himself,
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