By Cleve Allen
The mission of the Reagan Project Inc. is to provide community outreach in memory and honor of Reagan Allen. As Christians we seek to provide community service to underserved populations by showing encouragement through love and Christ Jesus. To promote relief to the poor, distressed, underprivileged, and combating community deterioration.
On January 8, 2014, the Allen family suffered a devastating loss; their 29-year-old son took his own life. This is his father’s account of the circumstances that led to Reagan’s tragic demise.
Reagan, our younger son, inherited bi-polar disorder from his maternal grandmother, and when he was in high school, it reared its ugly head. We took Reagan to doctor after doctor and the answer was the same – drug him. Reagan didn’t like the way the drugs made him feel or act, and he was allergic to many of them. At the same time, he was toiling with his sexuality.
Fast forward to 2013. As best we can tell, this was when he tried and was hooked on crystal meth. If you are not aware, we certainly were not, once you try crystal meth, you are hooked and very few escape this horrible addiction. Life started to spiral downhill. Reagan had been a highly successful software trainer for Fidelity Financial. On the seventh layoff, he was terminated. By the fall of that year, his life was totally out of control and he finally decided he needed help to try and kick his addiction to crystal meth. Right after the first of the year, we secured a bed at a treatment facility in Waco. Because Reagan was gay, he had to be examined by both a psychiatrist and infectious disease doctor. At the time, there was only one infectious disease doctor in College Station, where we lived.
Reagan was scheduled to have both appointments on January 8th and go to rehab on the 9th. He and I were out getting the last items he needed to take to rehab when Reagan received a call from the infectious disease doctor’s office, canceling his appointment because the doctor had a cold and was staying home. They told us it would be eight days before Reagan could be seen. This news devastated Reagan. We went home. I talked to the rehab center and they said he could not come until he had both medical appointments.
When we got home, Reagan said he wanted to take a nap and to wake him up for the psychiatrist appointment. When I went to wake him, he had hung himself. I tried CPR and called 911. The doctors at the hospital worked on him for close to two hours before finally deciding it was over.
That night, while trying to plan a memorial service, the family decided to be honest about Reagan’s suicide and drug addiction. We have never once regretted that decision.
We truly believe God has laid this path before us. By helping others, and by talking about these issues, we might just save one life.
By Patricia HudsonTheological Seminary in Kiev, Ukraine earlier this year. These funds will be earmarked for food and first aid supplies for those that are unable to flee the bombing and shelling in Kiev due to age and medical condition.
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n 2015, on the first anniversary of Reagan’s death, the Allen family established The Reagan Project. The ministry’s first gift was a $600.00 donation of Starbucks Gift Cards to the HIV/AIDS ministry at Bering United Methodist Church, Houston. Reagan’s parents, Cleve and Benadine, their son, Reverend Dr. Sterling M. Allen and his wife Jennifer have honored Reagan through annual community service. Projects have included delivering dinners to homeless camps in downtown Houston, serving breakfast tacos to veterans, their families, and VA Hospital Houston staff, and providing 66,372 individual meals, a week’s pantry staples, to single parent and homeless families in Harris and Waller Counties.
“On November 7, 2018, the Reagan Project Inc., became a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit. This allowed us to accept donations on behalf of the ministry. Prior to this, our family covered all of the costs,” explains Cleve, President of the Reagan Project, Inc. “The Reagan Project is supported by the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church Missions Committee, church members, community businesses, organizations and individuals. Volunteers come from Good Shepherd Church, Harris County Youth Services, Precinct 1 Community Emergency Response Team (Pct. 1 CERT), the Fairfield 4-H Club, the Jersey Village High School ROTC, and other community groups.”
Since January 2021, The Reagan Project Inc. has supported Kids Meals of Houston with monetary donations of over $33,000. “During the summer when lunch needs increase, the rising cost of peanut butter and jelly, together with the recall of peanut butter made it difficult to get a supply. This year, we were able to purchase $3,000 in peanut butter and jelly, and boxed cereal for Kids Meals,” recalls Cleve. Extending its reach worldwide, the RPI sent two money wires to the Ukrainian Evangelical
On Sunday, January 8, 2023, The Reagan Project, Inc. will help support Kids Meals’ family food bag operation in delivering approximately 3,399 family food bags of canned goods and a bag of rice or beans. The hope is to fill 2,500 bags with groceries at Good Shepherd Methodist Church that Sunday.
To date, The Reagan Project, Inc., has donated $116,650 dollars in food and supplies for the underserved population of Houston. However, the current economy and lack of substantial donations have caused the Allen family considerable concern. “The Reagan Project, Inc. starts each year with a zero balance. We give away every dollar raised. We do not have any corporate sponsors at this time; all of our monies come from donations. To continue to serve, we need your donations.” Please donate by sending a check to: The Reagan Project, Inc., 20263 Ivory Valley Ln, Cypress, TX 77433, or through Zelle: 512-925-4984. For additional information, email: cleveallen@att.net.
If you know of an exceptional Greater Fairfield, Bridgeland/Blackhorse Ranch, Towne Lake, Coles Crossing, or Cypress Creek Lakes individual or family that needs to be featured in an upcoming issue of PinPointe Magazine, please contact me: texasteacher024@outlook.com.
In December, my oldest son and I attended the performance of one of our favorite local musical groups. As we settled into our seats, I watched as the players of the Cypress Symphonic Band settled into theirs. Adjusting stands, warming up their instruments, and chatting amongst themselves. Everyone looked relaxed, comfortable, excited for the concert.
The musicians sounded their first note, lingering on that moment when all of the instruments came together in tune. A hush settled over the audience and the conductor took his place. The group launched into a jaunty version of a classic Christmas tune… and we were off on a musical journey that simultaneously lifted your spirit and soothed your soul.
To my surprise, a friend of mine was up on the stage that night playing in the band. Another mom I’ve known for years, our circles have crossed in multiple ways. We’ve been in book clubs, had moms nights out, and attended playdates with our children. I knew she was passionate about music, something we also both have in common, but I had no idea she even played an instrument!
My heart was so happy, not just because I was seeing a friend that I hadn’t seen in a long time, but because she was doing something so entirely her own. She looked so natural up there, surrounded by other adults sharing their gift of music. I looked around and spotted her children sitting nearby in the audience with their dad. Their
faces lit up with pride and wonder. One of the kids caught my eye and excitedly waved, pointing up to the stage. “That’s my MOM!”, she mouthed. So proud.
The concert went on, and I was able to catch up with my friend after the final notes were played. I won’t type out our conversation, but I’m sure you can imagine it was animated and joyful and I must have said “I’m sooo happy for you!” over a dozen times. She shared with me that she’s playing in not one, but TWO different musical groups. She practices at night after her kids go to bed. She feels a little guilty about the extra time away from home for rehearsals and performance schedules, but her husband is awesome and supportive.
I am truly, genuinely, so happy for her. For any mom who finds her way to her passion! For an overwhelming number of women, making decisions about how to navigate life after having children is monumental. Especially when children are very young, and their schedules and needs overtake the hobbies and interests of their parents.
If you’re early in your parenting journey, remember your passions are important. It might be harder to fit them in, when late nights and unpredictable nap schedules leave you exhausted and foggy. It’s okay if it looks different than it used to, and it’s also okay if you have to hit the pause button. Soon, you will round the corner into a new stage of motherhood, one where your children are older and less dependent on you for literally everything. This is your sign to take action. Surprise your friends, surprise yourself! Pick up your instrument, paint brush, dance, write, read, do more of what makes you feel like YOU! Even if you only have time and energy to do it a little bit at a time, you are worth it. It takes planning, courage, and persistence to follow your dreams- but the joy of doing it is the greatest reward.
“One of the greatest joys in life is doing what you love”
Let’s face it; sometimes we base food choices on convenience. Sure, there’s a McDonald’s and Starbucks on every corner, and there are too many Domino’s and Little Caesar’s Pizzas to count. Next time you have a hunger for something delicious, why not support our locally owned and operated food and beverage establishments? Like these Metta’s Local Eats foodies, you might just find your bliss!
Tony Krzyzanowski: I am nominating the newcomer serving the best Italian food at the best prices providing the best service. Grato Italian is the best and makes real deal authentic Italian dishes. I cannot live without Chicken Parmigiana.
Cathy Huebner: Senate Avenue Brewing Company is way more than a brewery. They have a chef. All their food is amazing. I highly recommend the crab cakes, the Mayors Burger, the pretzel and bread pudding!!!
Julie Arnold Dunlap: D’Lites Houston low carb, low sugar soft serve ice cream!
Kristina Perez Elote: from Angels Churros & Chocolate on Barker-Cypress and Creme Brulee from D’Vine Wine! Love their appetizers and lots of their food items!
Vannessa Henley: I nominate Kurry Walah. I love every dish I’ve ever tried there (we eat there almost every week), but my favorite comfort food is the Chicken Tikka Masala, paired with garlic naan fresh from the oven. Natalita’s Jersey Village is a hidden gem, and home to my favorite enchiladas and nachos. Their carnitas nachos are my favorite nachos EVER. Tender, marinated pork chunks, caramelized to perfection.
Lynda Fikac: Duck ’n Bao Honestly, I love both the chicken and pork soup dumplings, but the pork dumpling is probably the #1 to try.
Keri
Suzanne Vo Gilman: I love Pho at La’ Pho & Seafood and everything at Copper Kettle Chocolate Factory.
Jennifer Moya: Blue Water Seafood- I love the fried catfish and the blacked salmon; their veggies are AMAZING. Local Table is my absolute favorite. I have loved everything I have tried, but my favorite is their crab cakes and chipotle burger. Passerella! I’m still dreaming about their Alfredo.
