Governor's Volunteer Awards - 2009 Winners

On Wednesday, December 9, 2009, nine of Texas' most dedicated and compassionate volunteers received commendation and applause from their peers and colleagues at the 26th annual Governor's Volunteer Awards.

"Tonight's award winners are examples of the power of service and volunteerism," said Elizabeth M. Darling, President and CEO of OneStar Foundation: Texas Center for Social Impact, at the award ceremony. "They represent the very best, the most compassionate, the most innovative and the most driven leaders in-and partners with-the nonprofit sector. Where others may have seen an uphill battle, they saw collaboration opportunities. Where others may have said, ‘It can't be done,' they said, ‘How can we do it right?' Where others may have seen short-term gains, they planned for long-term success. And where others may have felt that things were hopeless, they created hope and inspired hope within others."
OneStar was honored to have Mrs. Anita Perry, the First Lady of Texas, serve as the keynote speaker of the Governor's Volunteer Awards. Mrs. Perry spoke about the importance of volunteerism to Texas before presenting the winners with framed awards. In addition to their awards, each of the winners also received two roundtrip tickets from travel sponsor Southwest Airlines.

After the ceremony, award winners mingled and networked with conference attendees at a beautiful reception provided by sponsors Exxon Mobil, Shell and TXU Energy.

This year marks the first time that the Governor's Volunteer Awards were presented during the Governor's Nonprofit Leadership Conference. With the events merged, conference attendees were able to celebrate the award winners and the power of service and volunteerism on a larger scale than ever before.

Social Innovator Award

Diane Flores, East Arlington Branch Library - The Learning Zone

Diane Flores' work as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member at The Learning Zone, an after-school homework help and tutoring program, has transformed her community by addressing the challenges of literacy faced by both children and adults. She recruited, trained and managed over 60 volunteers while also supporting over 70 students. She redesigned the layout of The Learning Zone's one-on-one tutoring program, which more than doubled the tutoring time available for students. Ms. Flores spent countless hours preparing weekly activities that created an enhanced, positive learning environment for both students and tutors. Once she observed how many students faced academic challenges from a lack of English skills, she created an English as a Second Language program that worked with 15-20 children per session. Ms. Flores' influence also extended past her roles in the homework center-she performed library outreach, taught literacy classes, organized a citizenship study class and assisted with the adult literacy program in several different capacities, often going above and beyond her hours.

In addition to being willing to assist with any aspect of The Learning Zone and shaping the program's vision, Ms. Flores inspired her colleagues and students with a wonderful attitude, true passion for her work and a genuine desire to help others. The leadership, guidance and encouragement she provided to volunteer tutors, students, adults, families and colleagues will have a lasting impact in east Arlington.

Corporate Community Impact Award

Texas Instruments Inc.

Texas Instruments (TI) has a myriad of ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for its employees, neighbors and communities. TI encourages community involvement through their Tech Smart Big Heart program; in 2008, employees volunteered more than 11,000 hours in school activities, United Way agencies, mentoring network groups and other organizations. TI also instituted the Community Ambassador program for employees currently serving or interested in serving in community leadership roles at nonprofits. In addition, several female TI executives created the Women of TI Fund to address the shortage of women in the science, technology, engineering and math fields; they have sent more than 300 girls to AP Physics camp. TI employees also helped found the Texas BEST Robotics competition and are involved with the FIRST Robotics competitions-competitions that bring together middle school students, engineers and innovators to explore how engineering can improve the world.

In 1995, TI started working full-time with Julia C. Frazier Elementary School in Dallas; the company created software called Academic Improvement Management for the school, and TI employees volunteered as tutors. Since then, Frazier students' test scores improved dramatically, and the school was rated exemplary by the Texas Education Agency in 2000. In 2005, the company provided an executive-on-loan to spearhead a program for improving 26 Dallas-area schools. The program created so much positive progress that Dallas Independent School District (ISD) replicated it across the district. Since then, Dallas ISD's number of exemplary and recognized schools has gone up from 49 to 128.
Through their various programs, TI stands as a shining example of a corporation that strives to offer solutions to community needs as well as consumer needs.

Community Collaborator Award: Individual/Group

Don Strange, Don Strange of Texas, Inc.

For years, the late Don Strange and his catering company, Don Strange of Texas, Inc., have been leveraging connections and partnerships to help them assist children in crisis. In 2004, Don Strange and Roy Maas' Youth Alternatives, Inc. (RMYA)-a nonprofit that cares for abused and neglected children-launched a program called Helping Hands, which built collaborations with restaurants, hotels, grocery stores and culinary professionals to teach the RMYA children about healthy eating, cooking, shopping and play. The program also gave the children a trip to the Don Strange Ranch, where they worked on an adventure challenge course to build their self-esteem and trust. In addition, Helping Hands launched "The Little Refrigerator That Could," a well-known campaign featuring a 1940s-era refrigerator at the RMYA thrift shop, encouraging the community to donate healthy food to the nonprofit's young residents. Mr. Strange went on to develop Breakfast of Champions, a program where community role models can share a healthy catered breakfast with the RMYA children. Mr. Strange also began Heart to Heart Luncheons, which-like his other work with RMYA-he catered for free. These lunches were hosted by local businesses, groups and individuals, who would reach out to targeted potential donors, bring them together for a meal and encourage them to contribute to RMYA.
During his life, Mr. Strange ensured that hundreds of abused children received more than just food-they learned that their community cared about them, and they developed skills for healthy, positive living that will last a lifetime.

Community Collaborator Award: Organization

A Circle of Ten, Inc. - Network for Collaboration

A Circle of Ten, Inc. - Network for Collaboration (C10) is a collaboration of professionals willing to go above and beyond to foster healthy collaborations that improve the quality of life in east Texas. Rebuild America, part of C10's Rural Community Building Initiative, was started in 2006 with a planning grant funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO). Rebuild America was implemented to improve energy efficiency by 35% in multi-family residential locations and commercial buildings. When C10 participants realized that the workforce to install and maintain energy reducing products did not exist in rural east Texas, they established "Green Academies"-training programs that gave unemployed and displaced workers knowledge on energy efficient and renewable energy technologies. This initiative offers a unique opportunity for workers to obtain skills for higher paying employment while increasing energy efficiency in the area.

C10's Rebuild America has utilized an impressive number of public and private sector partners, including SECO, Texas A&M University and System, East Texas Workforce Centers, Texas State Technical College and International Polytechnic Institute as well as local governments, schools, faith-based organizations, hospitals, private construction businesses and contractors. Thanks to C10's success, plans are now underway to replicate the Rural Community Building Initiative in other regions and states.

Public Innovator Award

Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Wick, 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network

Beth Wick is the Program Manager for the State of Texas' 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. 2-1-1 Texas is a confidential, free, three-digit number that connects Texans with information about critical social services, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Mrs. Wick has successfully brought together both the public and private sector in support of this program. Under her leadership, 2-1-1 Texas grew to serve more than 2 million Texans annually and became the first 2-1-1 network in the nation to achieve 100% call coverage capability. Mrs. Wick established countless collaborations with service providers, including the U.S. Military Fleet and Family Services, the Traumatic Brain Injury Association and the U.S. Veterans Administration; and set the stage for 2-1-1 Texas' inclusion in the Governor's Homeland Security Strategy. Thanks to Mrs. Wick's efforts, 2-1-1 Texas collects and reports on social service needs and gaps (including disaster-related needs), providing that information to State government, elected officials and community planners in all 254 Texas counties.

Mrs. Wick's leadership, vision and championing of 2-1-1 Texas have resulted in millions of Texans receiving help at a critical juncture in their personal lives. In addition, community planners around the State depend on the quality standardized reporting of social needs from 2-1-1 Texas. Because of her, 2-1-1 Texas is one of the most innovative programs available to Texans today.

Community Motivator Award

Lana Duke

A former foster child, Lana Duke now helps others with similar backgrounds learn to believe in themselves. She has valiantly supported the Roy Mass' Youth Alternatives, Inc. (RMYA), a nonprofit that offers care and counseling services to abused and homeless children. Through the two San Antonio-area Ruth's Chris Steak Houses she owns, Ms. Duke has organized programs such as "One Potato, Two Potato," which donates one potato to the RMYA for every potato sold in her restaurants. She and her restaurant staff all volunteer to host a yearly Thanksgiving Feast for over a hundred RMYA children, as well as Etiquette Luncheons that give the children etiquette lessons over a nice meal. In addition, Ms. Duke promotes annual toy drives for the RMYA children. This past summer, Ms. Duke and her executive chef Chris Brooks-also a former foster child-created a culinary job-training program, giving nine RMYA children the opportunity to learn about the culinary industry and have a training advantage when they enter the workforce. In addition to her work with RMYA, Ms. Duke initiated and continues Taxi Driver Appreciation Day, supports the Children's Aid Society with a benefit event and co-chairs fundraising events for Raintree Children and Family Services.

Ms. Duke consistently seizes opportunities to reach out to community and business leaders, encouraging and motivating them give back. In addition to her many philanthropic efforts, she also inspires others to get involved and make a difference in children's lives.

Community Motivator Award

Vikki J. Martin, Ferguson Road Initiative

In 1995, Vikki Martin first brought together 150 White Rock Hills residents and multiple neighborhood groups to identify collaborative solutions to local crime, poor public school achievement, business degeneration and plummeting property values. In 1998, she founded the Ferguson Road Initiative (FRI), a nonprofit that has grown to a confederation of over 20 neighborhood associations that work together to fight crime and clean up large blighted areas of Dallas. FRI also strives to bring local schools up to high standards, and provides programs to bolster the education levels of the area's adults and children who live in poverty. Ms. Martin, who formerly served as FRI's Board President, led FRI in receiving two Department of Justice "Weed and Seed" grants. FRI leveraged these grants to increase safety, decrease crime significantly, improve academic achievement and social services within area public schools, increase economic development and secure over $30 million in capital improvements projects. Ms. Martin has also created strong partnerships with local and federal government, including the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Dallas Police Department, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Ms. Martin's leadership and vision have created an organized and mobilized force of neighborhood advocates committed to the complete economic revitalization of the White Rock Hills community.

First Lady's Rising Star Award

Jordan Kilkenny

At age 16, Jordan Kilkenny has already made a tremendous positive impact on her community. She has been an active volunteer at the Community Storehouse Food Pantry for the past three years, where-among her many activities there-she assisted with an event that raised $50,000, and helped the nonprofit open its Lending Library. She also works in the nonprofit's food pantry during their Summer Lunch Program, which gave food to 169 families in 2008 and 408 families in 2009. Outside of the Community Storehouse, she organized a cheerleading camp for girls ages four through nine, which taught the children cheerleading, crafts and the importance of giving back. Each camper brought in school supplies and food to be donated to the Community Storehouse, while Ms. Kilkenny gave a portion of her camp's proceeds to the nonprofit.

Ms. Kilkenny also volunteers at her church, where she helps with the two-year-olds' nursery and operates the middle school café on Sunday. She is a charter member of the National Charity League of Keller, and recently participated in an event that raised $13,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Overall, she has donated over 300 volunteer hours since 2006 at organizations such as the Community Storehouse, Christ's Haven Children's Home, Cook Children's Hospital, the Special Olympics, Mimosa Manor Nursing Home and Keller Independent School District.
Ms. Kilkenny is lauded by her community for being an active scholar and athlete who demonstrates excellent character traits and tremendous leadership skills. She is destined to impact the lives of many more people with her dedication to excellence in everything she attempts.

Governor's Lonestar Achievement Award

Charles R. Bauer, MD, CPE

Since 1982, Dr. Charles Bauer has dedicated himself to providing direct disaster support to and disaster response preparation for the people of Texas. After retiring from a highly recognized career with the U.S. Air Force Medical Service, he joined the faculty of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He soon became involved in the Bexar County Medical Society's Emergency Preparedness division, and worked with the Alamo Council of Government (AACOG) HazMat Task Force to develop local HazMat Response teams. As a member of the AACOG Military Assistance to Safety and Transportation Task Force, he led the development of the San Antonio AirLife medical transport system. Dr. Bauer was also instrumental in expanding the Texas Poison Control Network from two centers to a six-center network. In 1989, he became active in developing the Texas Trauma System, which transitioned the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council into one of the most effective disaster response organizations in the U.S. and a leader in coordinating the medical triage response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Dean, Dolly, Gustav and Ike.

Since 2004, Dr. Bauer has been involved with the Texas State Guard (TSG) Medical Brigade-also known as the "Texas Medical Rangers"-at many organizational levels. Through the TSG Medical Brigade, he deployed more than once in Operation Lone Star, a combined effort of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, local health departments and the Texas Military Forces to provide medical care to south Texas residents. During Hurricane Dolly, his Operation Lone Star work included assisting with the care of National Guardsman while also coordinating care for Rio Grande Valley residents. Shortly thereafter, he deployed with the TSG Medical Brigade for Hurricane Ike, coordinating the medical teams working in general population shelters as well as an animal shelter. Currently, he is involved in H1N1 flu response preparations.

Dr. Bauer has given many years of dedicated service to the citizens of Texas. His work in disaster planning and response has led to countless lives being saved, and has ensured a much safer future for generations of Texans to come.