Friends of Joppa Community, Inc. 501(c)(3)

---

FRIENDS OF JOPPA COMMUNITY, INC, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation of the State of Texas.  

OUR PURPOSE

1.  To preserve the Joppa Community

2.  To preserve the HISTORY of Joppa Community

3.  To be an active community group who provides a social connection to those living in the area.

4.  To work with Burnet County leadership and Burnet County Historical  Commission in maintaining and restoring the historic iron bridges of  Burnet County.

5.  To be a group who is respectful of it's neighbors, other organizations, churches, etc.  

MEMBERS ROSTER and Organization Information 

Download Membership Form HERE   $10 per year for Supporting/Voting MEMBER

Please Join us.  Contact  friendsofjoppa@gmail.com  with questions 

ABOUT US see our historical timeline at bottom of page

We  look forward to receiving your ideas and input for 2026 

Committees are needed to begin making some great plans.  WE NEED YOU

The magic only happens with YOUR involvement. The FOJC Board is here to support

Volunteer Opportunities | Committees identified so far

• Coffee at Joppa - Delbert & Elaine
• Attend bi-monthly Burnet Co. Commussioner Meetings
• Attend monthly meetings of BC Historical Commission and National Register Historic Places  for our two historic bridges
• Deck Committee:  Jan, Randy, Leonard, David; Delbert-Alt
• Guest Speakers / Programs
• 2026 Christmas Decorating

And more ...  we need your input

We  look forward to receiving your ideas and input for 2025-2026 

"Fun for all"       We need your ideas, feeback, and help

•    Jopp History Day | Joppa History Month
•    Covered Dish Gatherings
•    Christmas Village with North Pole Post Office, Hot Cocoa & Cider, Caroling
•    Cookie Exchange   
•    Group Tour Gault Archaeological Site, Florence, Texas.   View 2025 Documentary "The Stones are Speaking"  on Prime, Apple, or YouTube 
•    Chill & Grill
•    Ranches & Homes Tours (Historic or otherwise)
•    Ice Cream Social
•    Square Dance with an experienced Caller
•    Easter Egg Hunt
•    Movie Night - indoor or outdoor
•    Card Games / Table top games
•    Book Clubs
•    Children activities
•    Trunk or Treat
•    Christmas Caroling

"Good Neighbor Programs"

•     Food Pantry collection (human & canine) 
•    Give a neighbor in need, a ride to Dr Office, Grocery, Church, etc
•    Visit with a neighbor who is alone
•    4-H Support
•    Take a meal or groceries to a neighbor in need
•    Offer assistance in times of crisis

Did you know that our area has a new book club?  JOPPA BOOK CLUB.  

Contact Michelle for details at thecookiedtherapist@gmail.com

Did you know that a handful of local ladies JOPPA CRAFT GROUP meet at Joppa Fellowship Hall, to work on their Craft projects, and visit.  Whatever your craft is, come join in.

What activities, learning and humanitarian initiatives, would you like to see?

 "It's great to see the support for the community where we live and strive to preserve, as a pleasant place, to make our home(s).  It was wonderful meeting new folks in the community.   We especially enjoyed meeting some of our younger neighbors, the youngest being 8 months old.  Looking forward to more events in the future." 

~ D Cain, August 19, 2025

    73 neighbors of all ages, gathered on August 18th at the Joppa Community Summer Potluck, hosted by Friends of Joppa Community,  Inc.  Lively conversation, Delicious Food, Good Music.  For most, the evening concluded around 8:00pm. 

    Thank you to all who attended, brought delicious food, & helped with set up/clean up. 

THANK YOUs to Joppa Church,  Red Watterson, Acoustic Guitar & Vocalist, to our Helpers, and last but not least, to Delbert, for your endless caring and compassion for the history and the future of Joppa Community.  Watch on Youtube 33 seconds  Delbert takes to the MIC - what is our vision for Joppa Community? combine the old and the new.    

Since April 2025, FRIENDS OF JOPPA COMMUNITY, INC, is an established non-profit corporation of the State of Texas.  In July we received our 501(c)(3) status

History of the evolution of Friends of Joppa Community, Inc.

May 9, 2024 –  A handful (14) of neighbors met briefly at Fellowship Hall, to gather input and suggestions for forming an  “official” neighbors group, non-profit community organization.  The need became apparent following meetings some in the  community had with County officials and the Burnet County Historical  Commission.   Our goal was to discuss objectives of the  group; start list of who is interested in a Joppa Community neighbors  group.  Interest in being a Member.  Interest in being on the Forming  Committee.  Meeting ended abruptly due to storms.

Jun 13, 2024 -  A  handful of Members met with County officials to reinforce our  commitment to supporting county efforts regarding old Joppa Bridge care  and management.

Sep 10, 2024 – First Business Meeting of the Forming Committee.  Eight (8) of the committee attended for discussion. We reviewed our  purpose. Where to begin. non-profit status?  Status of county’s progress  on bridge rehab.  How we can help expedite things.  How we can partner  with Joppa Church, and more.

Oct 16, 2024 – Second Business Meeting of the Forming Committee - Discuss 501c3 and next steps; Identify Officers and a Name for the organization, to be filed with Texas Sec of State.  

Oct 16, 2024 - 6:45pm   First Meeting of Group Members. Bridge electricity update; discuss 2024 bridge decoration expansion; submit ideas for Names for the new group

Jan 13, 2025 - Board members, Anna, Leonard, Jeremy representing Marci, and Toni, met with Tyler  Rockafellow, Attorney, who will file on our behalf with Secretary of State.  Official  name is Friends of Joppa Community, Inc.  Mr Rockafellow our CPA, Charity Tabor, will assist us in moving forward toward 501c3

Feb  12, 2025 - Board met, now that we are officially Registered with Texas  Secretary of State, Comptroller.  Next steps:  apply for EIN, and open a bank account

Mar 5, 2025 - We have obtained our EIN from the IRS.  We are opening a bank account at R Bank.  The Board met to continue work toward obtaining our 501(c)(3) status.   bylaws, articles, etc, and to discuss the possibility of our first event on Aug 30 of Labor Day Weekend.

April 16, 2025 - Board Meeting.  Bylaws are approved, Bank Account was opened at RBank, discussions of budget, 501c3, and Fish Fry & Car Show, and our eagerness to hold a general open meeting of interested neighbors soon.  Discuss Potluck in July.

July 1, 2025 - receive IRS Tax Exempt 501(c)(3) Public Charity Status 509(a)(2) . 

July 23, 2025 - Board Meeting - post-flood.  Move Potluck from July to August 18.

Aug 18, 2025 -  JOPPA SUMMER POTLUCK SOCIAL EVENT  73 neighbors of all ages, gathered on August 18th at the Joppa Community Summer Potluck, hosted by Friends of Joppa Community,  Inc.  Lively conversation, Delicious Food, Good Music.  For most, the evening concluded around 8:00pm.  

Sep 29, 2025 - Board Meeting

Oct 20, 2025 - First General Membership Meeting

Nov 7, 2025 - decorations planning

Nov 22, 2025 - Decorating Day

Dec 14, 2025 - First Annual Joppa Community Christmas Village

Jan 19, 2026 - Quarterly Potluck and General Meeting

Feb 9, 2026 - BC Candidate Forum at Joppa Church Fellowship Hall