The H.O.W. Foundation
I retrieved my mail today and discovered a solicitation from "H.O.W. Services" that advertised tree trimming, removal, thinning, and hauling services.
Get a load of the explanatory paragraph:
H.O.W. SERVICES is an affiliate of the H.O.W. Foundation. We are an asset to the community. Our people provide services of all kinds and through their individual efforts, pay for their unique self-improvement programs. Believing in principles that have made this country great, we do not accept, spend, or want money from the government. Being in the people business, we believe in the strength of the individual; further, we believe that government money, given to the people for nothing, is a drain on the productive taxpayer and that same "free" tax money does nothing for the people receiving it, and it's anything but free. Simply put, the H.O.W. Foundation works because everyone who lives here works. The program is the same for everyone without regard to race, color, age, handicap, or national origin.
I wonder how these guys got my mailing address and why they decided to send me the ad. Searching for info online only turns up references to their tree services. The only contact information is a P.O. box in Crystal City, TX and two phone numbers: 800-354-7370 and a local one for Austin. I could make a remark about the irony of using a Post Office Box from which to conduct their principled business, but I don't feel snarky right now and there's a small chance it could be a private carrier.
I'm not sure I want to contract professional help for my backyard (a project that might involve significant tree manipulation). In this age I'm reluctant to take something like these at face value. The flyer offers a 20% "winter special" and discount and free estimates but doesn't list pricing or anything they do other than trimming, removal, thinning, and hauling services. The only other text deals with addresses and the quote above.
Curious.
Comments
I received this in the mail today also.
I did find this online though:
http://www.nea.org/lessons/tt050411.html
...which lists it as a fictional organization.
I find this very strange as well.
Posted by: ashley | February 24, 2006 12:49 PM
Ashley, I found that page (and others like it) when I did the initial search for the company. I dismissed them as not being what I looked for because it appears those websites are using the name merely as an example from which students learn environmental lessons.
Posted by: Drizz | February 24, 2006 01:03 PM
A friend who received the same mail from the H.O.W Foundation asked me to find out what I could about them. After a few searches, I discovered a HOW Foundation, Inc. in a listing of Texas "Unacceptable Halfway Houses." Odd.... Then another listing for the same foundation as a Drug and Alcohol Rehab at the same address as the tree trimming business and halfway house. Having worked at a federal prison, this sounds like some place using ex-cons and drug addicts as cheap labor. I don't think I want them knowing where I live!!!
Posted by: Carol | March 10, 2006 09:49 PM
Could this be the large house on Kramer with lots and lots and cars? I too got the mailing and have wondered what that house could be. A halfway house would make sense.
Posted by: Anne | March 25, 2006 04:58 PM
I have used the HOW Foundation, first about 4 years ago in central Austin (tree trimming and stump removal) and more recently for complicated trimming at a house a north Austin. The tree trimming services were exceptional, prices more competitive than any other large scale service, and the customer service was far above average. Speculate as you may, but I highly recommend these folks. I do believe that it is employment for recovering addicts and ex-convicts, but that was a compelling reason for me to use them. 50% of the total bill is tax deductable also.
So, I disagree with the paranoid and sceptics...
In fact, I only found this site b/c I was googling to find their # to call them to come remove some trimmings.
Posted by: Nathan | April 3, 2006 12:11 PM
I too found this site because I was trying to google the foundation. My neighbors used them for tree services in our North Austin neighborhood and they did a really beautiful job. My neighborhood is full of live oaks and we see plenty of tree services here. This is the most immaculate job I've seen. Please remember that our government does little to reward people trying to improve their lives after drug addiction or incarceration. Any group that is willing to make their own way like this is ok with me. We'll be hiring them soon.
Posted by: Jessica | April 3, 2006 01:52 PM
Nathan and Jessica: if what the company says is true on its flyer, then that's great. I'm all for that. I'm glad to hear your positive experiences.
Posted by: Drizz | April 3, 2006 05:52 PM
I found this by simply doing a search on "HOW Foundation." I would NOT recommend them. We made that error over a month ago and are paying the price now. They took 50% of the total cost and to date have done NOTHING in our yard except reschedule our appointment. We have lost many limbs in the meantime. Go with a more reputable company.
Posted by: magsmom | April 25, 2006 09:42 AM
I also have contracted them to trim our trees. They have been nothing but professional thus far and gave us a great price on their service. I spotted them at a neighbors house and asked them to come and look at our home. I applaud them for not taking money from the government and self sustaining the program. We have a tenative date to trim the trees with us moving up if and when time comes earlier.
Posted by: David | April 25, 2006 10:41 AM
My daughter used them, and they were priced WAY lower than anyone else.They did a very good job. Who cares if they are recovering addicts....the guys that you hire out of the phone book are probably NON recovering addicts and criminals.
Posted by: jennalee ryan | February 2, 2008 08:47 PM
I am a former resident and member of the HOW from 06'-08' - I now am a contributing Sober responsible employed Godly man, I was homeless and helpless to say the least prior to my decision to call and ask the HOW Foundation to help me, with the hand up from God and this Group my life was saved with a lot of hard work, patients, tolerence, understanding and love. We got Sober and found God- That is what the HOW Foundation is! All the kings horses and all the kings men- Thank God and the Group and all who support them, may God bless you and thank you for my life, sobriety and my God. The tree work will take care of itself...
Posted by: Michael J. McKane | May 20, 2008 11:03 PM
I have used the HOW Foundation for tree trimming, as have my sister and neighbor. They do excellent work!! The men are respectful and hard working. The cost of their work is below average and half of it is tax deductable. I recommend them highly.
Posted by: Kathy G | July 9, 2008 03:15 PM