JACKSONVILLE - The holidays are here - and this time of the year, some folks need a helping hand.

One non-profit group in Jacksonville is doing all they can to help East Texans in need.  They're called "The Almond Tree."

Donald Ferguson and his wife Melisa live on a little country road in Maydelle.  Donald was diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer in 2009.

When Melisa became disabled and the two were unable to work, they fell on hard times.

"We didn't have, you know, any savings or any kind of retirement plan that we could, you know, borrow against or anything like that," Ferguson said.

When the time came to repair their leaky roof, Melisa came across "The Almond Tree's" ad in the newspaper and help was on the way.

81-year old retired contractor "Dan-The Man" DeMarco heads up the non-profit group's home repairs.  He's ready to get going on the Ferguson's roof.

"We're supposed to start this week...I'm anxious to get the work going, I don't like to sit still," DeMarco said.

Lindsey Langham helps DeMarco.  She believes what they're doing is vital to the East Texas community.

"I mean some of these mothers are single parents, they're working, trying to take care of their family - and the home that they live in - I mean - is more or less, just a metal tin," Langham said.

Last week, while "The Almond Tree" was raising funds for the Fergusons at a restaurant in Maydelle, they received a generous donation from Schulte Roofing, a roofing company all the way in Navasota.

"They're donating all the materials to roof our home," Melisa Ferguson said.

The Ferguson's say it's not about them.  They hope others will pitch in to help "The Almond Tree" help others.

"We were looking for someone to help us and 'Almond Tree' was there and we really appreciate them, I don't think that there's enough words that we can say.  'Thank you' is just not good enough," Melisa Ferguson said.

"The Almond Tree"

1508 E Rusk St.

Jacksonville, TX 75766

PHONE: 903-284-6202

FAX: 903-284-6228

www.almondoutreach.org