For their exceptional support for Hopkins County and local healthcare, Sharon and Charles Helm were the 2026 honorees at the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation Gala, “A Celebration of Twenty Years,” on Saturday, May 9.
Honorees
Board Member and Gala Co-Chair Heather Johnson recognized the honorees, Sharon and Charles Helm.
The Helms are the owners of Helm Hotel Group, which owns and operates hotels across the state. Helm’s father, Walter “Punk” Helm, opened his first hotel in Sulphur Springs in 1962, and the family has continued in the hotel business since, creating a legacy for three generations.
Their hotels have received numerous awards and honors for their quality hotels and service. Helm has served as chairman of the board of Best Western International. He has also served as a member of the Texas Hotel Motel Association’s Board of Directors. In 2023, they were awarded the Premier Hotelier of the Year Awards by Choice Hotels International. At the time, they owned the Clarion Pointe Hotel of Sulphur Springs which was awarded the prestigious “Best of Choice” award. Helm received the Legacy award from the Best Western International, which is the highest award it bestows.
Just as the hotel business is a family tradition, so is investing in Hopkins County. Following in the footsteps of Charles’ dad, the couple is eager to identify local needs and help to fill in, according to the Foundation. Whereas Punk was instrumental in negotiating for the Hopkins County Civic Center to be built, the Helms led the remodel and renovation of the facility in 2013. They have both served on the HCHF board of directors, coached kids’ softball and baseball, been active in clubs and in their church. Charles has been president of the Hopkins County Economic Development Center, served on the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center board and served as a director with Alliance bank. In recognition of his service to the community, Charles was awarded Citizen of the Year in 1991.
The Help are currently serving as honorary chairs of the Spreading Our Wings campaign to fund the surgical wing expansion at the CHRISTUS Health — Sulphur Springs. They have dreamed of one day seeing the hospital become a regional hospital, according to the Foundation.
Gala evening
The evening began when Foundation Board Chair-Elect Steve Rutherford gave the welcome, followed by the Parade of Past Chairs and Executive Directors.
Alina Sanders sang the National Anthem.BoardMember and Gala Co-Chair Bob Weaver gave the invocation, blessing both the event and meal.
This year’s projects include the donation for new medical equipment and a blanket warmer in the expanded surgical wing at CHRISTUS.
Over $1.4 million in new state-of-the-art medical equipment is needed to outfit the hospital’s surgical wing expansion. Important equipment such as C-arms, operating room tables, anesthesia machines and a portable surgical x-ray machine must be purchased. Donors are sought to fund a piece of equipment or to add to the general support for the overall expense and the Foundation will donate $250,000.
Warm blankets do more than keep patients cozy before and during a procedure, they play a critical role in improving patient safety and enhance overall comfort and recovery outcomes. Warmed blankets provide physical comfort, calm nerves, reduced anxiety and promote body temperature regulation. The Foundation has purchased one of three warmers needed at a cost of $15,000.
Former board members Craig Roberts and John Sellers lead a game of Heads and Tails. Roberts called the toss and Sellers flipped the coin as audience members guessed to see which side it would land on.
Auctioneer and Gala Board Member Don Sapaugh lead the live auction for the evening. Some of the auction items included a six-day trip to Niagara Falls for two, Ol Mad Dinner and Drinks for 20, a Southern France River Cruise and many more.
The program was followed by live entertainment by the Texas Unlimited Band and participants heading to the dance floor.