Shocked at the win and calling it a “community effort,”
Baker had help from multiple organizations, including the
Weatherford Police Department, Boo Ray’s, REACT, the
Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, and many
other others.
“I was shocked,” Baker said. “I was not expecting that
at all. I’m very humbled at winning this event. The charity
was with me every step of the way, along with the police
department and Boo Ray’s. They put on a great benefit for
us — it was amazing.”
Baker became one of the bachelors after Chief Lance
Arnold suggested he might enjoy being one. He was at
first resistant, but was all in when he found he would be
raising money for the Parker County Committee on Aging
and would benefit local seniors.
“In my district there are a few nursing homes. I’m
looking forward to helping the seniors in need and the
senior center,” Baker said. “I’m not looking to get anything
out of this. I’m just looking to raise money for the folks.”
Baker has been a patrol officer in Weatherford for
only seven months, but he has been a peace officer for
more than four years, coming to town after a stint as a
deputy sheriff in Palo Pinto County. He changed depart-
ments because of, “Better pay, better hours, and it was
just a better move for me,” he said. He became an officer
because, like many in his line of work, he likes to help
people.
Baker said he learned a lot about himself while raising
money for his charity, one thing being that he could raise
such a large amount of money in a short time.
“I learned that I can raise a lot more money than
I thought I could. I think people supported the cause
because they were wanting to raise money for the charity.
My goal was not to win, but to raise money. It has been a
great experience,” he said.
He also learned a lot about his charity and how every
penny he raised is needed to help meet the growing needs
of the senior community.
“I learned that every penny they need, from the Meals
on Wheels to transports, to building the new Senior
Center, every single cent they can use,” he said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
our cover: CHARITY OF THE YEAR
By MISTY BROWNING
Parker County Committee on Aging —
Changing the Lives of PC’s Seniors
T
he Parker County Committee on
Aging is growing by leaps and
bounds as more and more people,
including seniors, move to Parker
County. Shelly Mowery, executive
director of the PCCOA, knows first-
hand how fast our little community
is growing. She spoke at last month’s
event about how, with a population
that is steadily growing, they see
many seniors who are struggling and
need help. She outlined the group’s
exciting new building for Parker
County’s seniors, sharing that utili-
ties are in and dirt work is complete
on the new Parker County Senior
Center going up on Vine Street in
Weatherford.
“If you haven’t been down to
Vine Street, I recommend that you
go,” Mowery said. “It’s been a long
time coming. It’s 35 acres, with land
graciously donated by Jerry Durant,
and 18,000-square-feet that will
allow additional services to help
seniors.”
Continued on page 12
8
Shelly Mowery
Photo by Zach Peterson