Who We Are

Who is Helping Hands

Helping Hands is a humanitarian group of dedicated volunteers based in Wausau, Wisconsin, who share their talents and resources to give Hope to most needy families/individuals in Kenya, as well as those in various Third World countries.

An Interview with Tom and Mary Pat Roovers

The Spark That Started It All

The story of Helping Hands begins in 1986. Tom Roovers was participating in a medical/musical mission trip to St. Lucia with the “Good News” organization. Without a specific role on the medical or musical teams, Tom set off on what he calls a “walkabout in the bush.”

During that walk, he encountered a teenage girl giving birth in deeply impoverished conditions. Struck by the profound need and moved to action, Tom spent the next ten days building a secure 12-by-16-foot one-room house for her. The experience of directly transforming someone’s living conditions—and the resulting feeling of providing tangible Hope—struck a deep chord. Tom returned home to Wisconsin and shared the profound experience with his wife, Mary Pat – and together they embarked upon their humanitarian journey!

The Birth of a Passion

Initially, Tom and Mary Pat continued their humanitarian service under the umbrella of their local parish. However, they soon realized they needed an independent structure to fully accomplish their vision. They decided to establish their own 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

When it came time to choose a name, the decision was simple. Their approach was based on taking groups of volunteers to do humanitarina service – there were always “Many Hands” ready to assist. Thus, Helping Hands was born.

Their primary goal has been and remains to be – to give Hope to those in despair. As Mary Pat explains, “providing very basic support doesn’t just give someone a physical item, it lifts them up and restores their dignity as these families/individuals have no other options for assistance.”

The Heart and Soul of Helping Hands

While Tom and Mary Pat planted the seed, they are the first to tell you that they are not the Heart of the organization.

As Tom notes, the real people who make Helping Hands what it is are the volunteers. It’s the people traveling to Kenya to construct homes, the builders crafting chicken coops and prefab beds so families have a way to sustain themselves and a place to sleep. It’s the dedicated women who gather every Tuesday morning in Wausau to cut and sew thousands of reusable sanitary pads so young girls can stay in school. Without these individuals, there is no Helping Hands!

Mary Pat emphasizes that this incredible effort is a two-way street. The volunteers who dedicate their time don’t just change lives in Kenya; they receive immense joy, deep camaraderie, and the fulfillment of giving their hearts to a truly needy cause.

We invite you to add your Hands to ours. Join us in creating Hope and transforming lives.