First Lady Cecilia Abbott Announces “Texanthropy” Initiative To Promote Volunteerism And Service
Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott today announced the launch of “Texanthropy,” a new initiative that she will use to promote volunteerism and service to others as her primary focus as First Lady of Texas.
“I look forward to working with all Texans to bring together the two things that I am most passionate about – Texas and philanthropy,” the First Lady said. “Through Texanthropy, I hope to inspire more Texans to get involved and help make a difference through service and volunteering. With your help, I know we can work together to help enrich the lives of all Texans through Texanthropy.”
With today’s announcement, the First Lady also launched a website for her Texanthropy Initiative - http://gov.texas.gov/texanthropy/. The site will feature information on individuals and organizations who are making a difference through volunteerism and service, and will include a portal where Texans can find resources on organizations and other opportunities where they can volunteer and give back.
Joining the First Lady at today’s announcement were Texans from several organizations who are already making a difference through volunteerism and service:
- Alan Graham, Co-founder, CEO & President of Mobile Loaves and Fishes
- Dan Pruett, President & CEO of Meals on Wheels and More of Austin; Denise Jimenez, Volunteer Recruiter for Meals on Wheels and More of Austin; and Ana Vargas, MJ Martinez, Mary Bernal, Matthew Berry, and Zach Scott, Office of the Governor staffers and Meals on Wheels and More volunteers
- Dwayne Hopkins, Executive Director of Fisher House, Inc. at Lackland Air Force Base
- Elizabeth Darling, President & CEO of the OneStar Foundation
- Greg Meyers, Executive Director of Citizen Schools Texas; and Lollie Ramirez-Bennett, CEO & President of Women of AT&T Houston Chapter
- Janie Bordner, Executive Director of Dress For Success Dallas
- Kathy Green, Senior Director for Advocacy and Public Policy of the Capital Area Food Bank; and Mace Massingill, Capital Area Food Bank volunteer and KVUE “Five Kids Who Care”
- Marissa Vogel, Founder & Executive Director of Little Helping Hands; and Little Helping Hands volunteers Traci, Robbie and Kalli Parker
- Mark Lutz, 2016 Director of Texas A&M’s The Big Event; and Dalton Harris, 2017 Director of Texas A&M’s The Big Event
- Michael Lofton, Founder & CEO of the African American Youth Harvest Foundation; and Keya Wallace, Development Director for the African American Youth Harvest Foundation
- Sara Ramirez, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Central Texas