Eddings to be Honored at Gala
Long before there was a building or a board or a gala, there was a phone.
And there was Sondra Eddings, answering it.
Sondra believed that families in crisis deserved to be heard — and helped. That belief became the Help Line in 1987, which grew into the Henderson County HELP Center in 1990, and from there, a legacy of advocacy that continues to change lives today.
On Saturday, April 5, the Henderson County HELP Center and Maggie’s House Child Advocacy Center will honor that legacy by presenting Sondra with the Blessings Award during the “Boot Out Child Abuse” Gala. The theme for the evening is “Honoring the Angels Among Us.”
“Sondra’s vision is the reason we exist,” said HELP Center Executive Director Leslie Saunders. “She saw the pain in our community and responded with compassion and creativity. Every child who finds healing at Maggie’s House, every parent who gets connected to help — it all traces back to her willingness to take that first step.”
A Baylor graduate and lifelong learner, Sondra moved to Athens in 1981 and quickly became a force for good. She served on the Child Welfare Board, worked to pass a school bond for Athens High School, and earned a master’s degree from UT Tyler while building the HELP Center from the ground up.
She was instrumental in launching programs to support teen parents, provide counseling in schools, and advocate for children facing abuse and trauma. Her service extended to the Athens school board, East Texas task forces, and leadership roles in the community. Even after retiring to Iowa, Sondra continues to volunteer with refugee families and enjoy life near her children and grandchildren.
“This award is about more than looking back,” Saunders said. “It’s about recognizing the foundation Sondra laid and recommitting ourselves to the work she started. We are still answering the call.”
The gala will raise funds for evidence-based programs supporting children and families across Henderson County. Guests are encouraged to shine their boots for an evening of connection and purpose.
For more information, call 903-675-4357.