PAINT THE TOWN PROUD – June 2022
COLOR WORLD’S PAINT THE TOWN PROUD HERO: Jimmy Winkler
He’s described as a hometown hero who operates in the shadows. A superhero who donates his time and talents quietly and without the need for recognition or thanks. A humble volunteer who hides from the limelight and instead prefers to highlight the organizations and people he helps. Meet our latest Paint the Town Proud award recipient, Jimmy Winkler. A serial volunteer, philanthropist and connector, Jimmy’s list of good deeds is a mile long.
“I nominated Jimmy because he does so much without notice,” says fellow Knights of Columbus Member Martin Garza. “I believe he may have been a Hometown Hero, but that was years ago, and his efforts haven’t stopped. Besides all he does for the Knights with the community, like organizing relief efforts during COVID for nursing homes in Hays County, he also does things like finding and distributing wheelchairs for those in need.”
Winkler’s causes also include organizing stuffed animal drives for children in crisis, running capital campaigns for The Burke Center for Youth, helping with Hometown Missions and Project Connect and spearheading endless service projects with the local Knights of Columbus chapter for more than 25 years. What he doesn’t do, however, is talk about himself. Instead, he prefers to encourage others to join his mission to create better communities.
“I look every day for opportunities to help,” said Winkler. “I ask, who is struggling and how can we make a plan? It’s all about creating a better day for tomorrow---for our kids, our schools, our families, and our communities.”
Jimmy relies on a vast network of contacts and social media outlets to inspire others to join his call to action. It’s not just about raising money but about getting community members invested in the projects. This blueprint for success enables him to cast a wider net, help more people and make a bigger impact in the long run.
“I like to create an idea, own it for a while and then pass it on to others who can pick up the ball and run with it,” said Winkler. It’s amazing what we can do together.”
According to Garza, “Jimmy seems to do this ‘in the shadows’ but I have learned so much about what he does when our causes overlap. What's even better than what he does is the gratitude he expresses to all the others who assist. He's been a blessing to me and so many others in the community. “
Thank you, Jimmy Winkler, for Painting our Town Proud!
If you would like to nominate someone who’s painting the town proud, contact us here.
