First Lady Cecilia Abbott And Governor Greg Abbott 2015 Governor’s Volunteer Award Winners
AUSTIN—First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Honorary Chair of the 2015 Governor’s Volunteer Awards, and Governor Greg Abbott hosted a reception at the Governor’s Mansion this evening honoring the winners of the 2015 Governor’s Volunteer Awards. The awards, presented in conjunction with the OneStar Foundation, honored nine awardees from across Texas for their significant contributions to their communities through service and volunteering.
“Tonight, we honor the recipients of the 2015 Governor’s Volunteer Awards for all the ways they are helping others,” said First Lady Abbott. “I believe we are each called to service, and these philanthropic Texans have enthusiastically answered that call. Greg and I are appreciative of their service and thankful that they are sharing so much of themselves to help their fellow Texans succeed.”
Governor’s Lone Star Achievement Award: 1sg (retired) Will Williams, Round Rock
For almost twenty years, Will Williams has served the community of Round Rock through numerous organizations, including Sertoma, Lion’s Club, Round Rock Foundation, Water for Africa, Heroes Night Out, El Amistad, and Blue Star Mothers. Thanks to Will’s leadership, over $1 million was raised for the Round Rock Foundation to benefit local charities.
First Lady’s Rising Star Award: Cullen Corr, Dallas
Cullen Corr began volunteering at age 13 as an after school tutor for underprivileged kids at Family Gateway in Dallas. He soon went on to found a Texas nonprofit called Kids Helping Kids (KHK), which today is powered by student leaders from eleven Dallas area high schools. Hundreds of KHK volunteers affect the lives of thousands of at-risk and homeless children in Dallas by providing school supplies, books, tutoring, and raising funds to benefit youth and children in need.
Partners in Education Award: Teach for America - Rio Grande Valley
Teach for America of the Rio Grande Valley (TFA-RGV) was established in 1991 to provide access to the highest quality classroom instruction and learning opportunities for students in minority and low-income communities in the Valley. TFA-RGV teachers are also AmeriCorps members who serve over 14,000 children and youth annually by leading in the classroom, sponsoring honor organizations, sports activities, and service projects in the community, all while instilling in their students the importance of giving back.
Service to Veterans Award: Military Veteran Peer Network Houston
Military Veteran Peer Network Houston at Mental Health America of Greater Houston is led by over two dozen veteran volunteers using a peer-led holistic community based approach to address the specific needs of Harris County veterans. They help veterans and their families reintegrate into the community, enroll in school, obtain employment, and navigate community assistance programs. They also provide innovative, comprehensive training and peer support to Harris County Veteran Treatment Courts.
Higher Education Community Impact Award: The Big Event, Texas A&M University
Thirty-three years ago, The Big Event started as a project for students at Texas A&M University in College Station to say thank you to the surrounding community through a one-day service blitz. In 2015, over 22,000 students volunteered to assist local residents with painting, yard work, cleaning, and various tasks, completing over 2,500 jobs. In a testament to the power of service, The Big Event has spread to 110 other schools across the country, and internationally. The Big Event is embedded into the undergraduate culture of Texas A&M students, many of whom continue their civic engagement into their professional and personal lives wherever they reside.
Corporate Community Impact Award: ExxonMobil Pro Bono Program, Houston
ExxonMobil lawyers have been providing free legal service in Houston and other communities for more than 50 years. During 2014, 170 ExxonMobil law volunteers devoted more than 3,200 recorded hours of pro bono service through clinics for veterans, taxes and wills, and citizenship. They partnered with groups such as Catholic Charities, Kids in Need of Defense, Tahirih Justice Center, Houston Area Women’s Center, and United Way’s Nonprofit Connection. ExxonMobil’s commitment to community service is making a huge impact in the lives of people in need.
Community Leadership Award: Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas
Founded in 1994 with a membership of 13 local centers, today the membership roster includes 69 developing and established centers in large urban cities as well as in small rural communities. Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) were established to minimize the impact of trauma to child victims by bringing together in one location district and county attorneys, law enforcement officials, and medical and mental health professionals to form multidisciplinary teams. Last year, Texas CACs served almost 40,000 children.
Senior Corps Community Impact Award: Ed Boyer, Dallas & Collin Counties
Ed Boyer has been a volunteer with the RSVP of Dallas and Collin Counties since 1998. Ed founded the White Rock Center of Hope Resale Shop and manages approximately 250 community volunteers. The shop has raised over $3 million. With the support of over fifty churches and civic organizations, more than 400,000 people in over 140,000 families have received over 3 million pounds of food, 814,000 clothing items, and $1.2 million in financial aid from White Rock Center for Hope, all thanks to the vision of RSVP volunteer Ed Boyer.
AmeriCorps “Make a Difference” Award: JoAnn Gama, Weslaco
JoAnn Gama is a former AmeriCorps member and Teach for America (TFA) alumna.
A first generation college graduate, JoAnn founded IDEA Academy, a state-approved charter school for grades 4th through 8th in Donna, Texas. Fifteen years later, IDEA has become a network of 44 schools throughout Texas. Today, IDEA Public Schools is recognized as one of the highest performing charter school networks in the nation.
For more information on the Governor’s Volunteer Awards and the OneStar Foundation visit http://onestarfoundation.org/