It was 1952 when 13 local Terrell ladies had a vision of serving as volunteers to the Terrell State Hospital patients with the goal of helping to meet their needs beyond that which the State could do.  Reaching out in compassion and becoming facilitators and allies to those with mental illness, this concept of volunteerism within the state hospital system was so revolutionary that these ladies frequently were met with challenges and hurdles to overcome.  But the "Gray Ladies" were determined and blazed a road of vision, service, and compassion beyond their time.  However, the patients recognized the warmth and comfort and enveloped them immediately.

In 1954, the Volunteer Services Council (VSC) was formed.  Mrs. Walter P. Allen, Jr. was the chairman and she traveled around the state helping to form other VSC's.

At first the VSC's service was confined to visiting patients on the wards, furnishing refreshments for ward parties, and assisting with the Occupational Therapy Department.  Then in 1956, the Volunteer Advisory Council, later to become the Volunteer Services State Council, was formed in Austin, TX.  This catapulted the volunteers and the service they provided to the attention of several superintendents and other personnel.  Soon they were recognized for their role in the rehabilitation of the mentally ill.  Their service and vision expanded and recreational centers, chapels, and swimming pools began to appear on hospital campuses.  These were all conceived and paid for through the volunteers' efforts.  THINGS REALLY BEGAN TO CHANGE FOR PATIENTS!

The volunteer program at the Terrell State Hospital has grown and hundreds actively give of time, talent, and money.  Major changes realized at Terrell has been the construction of Winton Gable All Faiths Chapel, the Martha Allen Family Center, Camp Wildwood, Allen Lodge and the Cabins at Lake Tawakoni, Restoring Dignity...From Numbers to Names at the Wildwood Cemetery, and the Silver Star Cinema.  Private donors have also been very generous and we have sought and obtained grant monies to improve the Children's Unit playground and learning center.

Please partner with us as we humbly and tirelessly carry on the tradition and vision of the Gray Ladies to help benefit the lives of patients at the Terrell State Hospital.  We can only follow in their footsteps for it was their vision that blazed the trail.