OHH takes aim to help those in need

Mikaila Adams
Associate Editor – OGFJ

Oilfield Helping Hands (OHH), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization comprised of volunteers primarily from the oil and gas industry devoted to providing financial assistance to oilfield workers in crisis.

“With oil and gas prices at an all time high, it might be difficult for one to imagine anyone working in the oil and gas industry needing a helping hand. But the bottom line is that they do. The OHH is about stewardship in our community; it’s about making a difference in someone’s life; it’s about second chances for many who would otherwise not have one,” said Mitzi Flowers, who works for OHH corporate sponsor Edge Petroleum Corp. as well as serves as the media/PR chair for OHH.

Through donations, events, corporate memberships, and event sponsorships, the organization provides assistance for individuals within Harris, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties.

The organization was started in 2003 by several Halliburton Baroid employees who held a sporting clay tournament to benefit a co-worker stricken with a terminal illness. The event was such a huge success that the OHH was born - gaining momentum along the way.

Today, the OHH has grown from a single sporting clays tournament to four annual fundraising events. Upcoming events for the year include a saltwater fishing tournament in Port O’Connor on July 25, a golf tournament at Cypresswood Golf Club in Houston on September 29, and a fall sporting clays tournament in Fulshear on October 24.

All proceeds go toward providing assistance to Oilfield Helping Hands’ recipients. Since its inception, Oilfield Helping Hands has distributed over $500,000 in monetary assistance to more than 35 families.

Currently, the OHH has approximately 80 companies represented who are either Houston-based or have a major presence in Houston, seven corporate members, and over 200 individual members. “We are all volunteers from many facets of the oil and gas industry working together for a common purpose. As corporate citizens - we are Houston Proud and are pleased to be major contributors to the dynamic Houston economy,” said Flowers.

Richard Saxon, a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial Services Group and president of OHH commented, “Oilfield Helping Hands is a fantastic group of individuals achieving great things. We are dedicated to helping oilfield families in time of financial crisis.”

One particular case is that of Hilary, a single mother working at 3DGeo Inc. In August 2007, Hilary’s 2-year old daughter Layla was diagnosed with high risk neuroblastoma. When Hilary needed to take a leave of absence from her job to care for Layla, she found herself in a temporary financial crisis with mounting medical bills.

Contributions from Oilfield Helping Hands allowed Hilary the piece of mind she needed to focus on Layla’s health, treatment, and recovery. Today, Layla is doing better and Hilary has been able to return to work.

Occasionally, OHH works with other professional organizations. The organization has teamed with E&P organizations in the face of natural and man-made disasters to provide financial assistance to affected oilfield workers.

In addition, OHH has recently added an annual sporting clays tournament to its roster. The tournament benefits ‘Homes for Our Troops’ - a non-profit organization that builds or modifies specially adapted homes for soldiers and marines who have suffered severe, life-altering injuries. The first annual event was held January 25-26 and raised over $100,000 for Homes for Our Troops.

“Though the event is outside the realm of the OHH’s normal fundraising – we felt compelled to show our support to the country’s men and women dedicated to preserving the freedoms of this great nation,” said Flowers.

The members of OHH have definitely played a big part in making Houston one of the top ranked cities in the nation for charities. For more information or to support OHH, please visit www.oilfieldhelpinghands.org.