A Legacy on Wheels: Honoring “Pops” Kraus Through Mobile Health

We’re thrilled to share a new chapter in the story of our Mobile Health Outreach Ministry, one that reflects compassion, legacy, and the power of community. Thanks to a generous grant from the Warren P. Powers Charitable Foundation, our team now has a brand new transit van that will help us continue bringing free, compassionate healthcare to underserved communities across Northeast Florida.

But this van is more than just a vehicle. It’s a tribute. On the back, you’ll find the words:
“In loving memory of Vincent ‘Pops’ Kraus.”

That inscription, and the van it graces, carry deep meaning for us and especially for one of our own.

The inspiration for this gift began with Kelly Kraus-Stephens, a longtime RN on our Mobile Health Outreach Ministry and a board member of the Powers Foundation. Kelly has devoted over 17 years to serving those most in need through Mobile Health. When the time came to replace our aging vehicle, more than 25 years old with over 200,000 miles, it was clear that something new was needed to continue reaching clinics more than 100 miles away.

During her conversations with Mr. Warren Powers, Kelly often spoke of the ministry’s mission, its challenges, and the patients we serve. Mr. Powers, a close family friend of the Kraus family, always listened with sincere interest.

So when the opportunity arose to support our work with a new vehicle, he responded with extraordinary generosity. And in a profoundly moving gesture, he requested the van be dedicated in memory of Kelly’s father, Vincent “Pops” Kraus, who passed away in 2015.

“Pops” Kraus was known for his quiet acts of kindness. As Kelly recalls, after hearing about a blind homeless man we met at one of our clinics, her father went out and purchased a cane, painting it white and striping it orange so it could be seen. With help from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, the man was found and personally given the cane by Mr. Kraus.

“That was just who he was—always willing to help those in need,” Kelly said. “To know that Mr. Powers saw that spirit in my father and chose to honor him in this way is something I will always treasure.”

With this new van, our ministry is more mobile than ever. It allows our medical team to travel safely and reliably to deliver free care including state-mandated health screenings, school physicals, pediatric and senior care, and more to underserved areas within the Diocese of St. Augustine.

“The generosity of the Warren P. Powers Charitable Foundation brings everything full circle,” Kelly said. “This vehicle is not just a van. It’s a vessel of hope and healing. It allows us to meet people where they are and carry out our mission with compassion, dignity, and love.”

We are deeply grateful to the Powers Foundation, to Kelly, and to the legacy of service embodied by “Pops” Kraus. Their shared spirit of compassion drives this ministry forward, literally and figuratively, as we continue our journey to bring healthcare, hope, and healing to those who need it most.