First Lady Abbott, OneStar Foundation Announce 40th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards Recipients

This press release was originally posted here by The Office of the Texas Governor.

AUSTIN — First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Honorary Chair of the Governor’s Volunteer Awards, today announced the recipients of the 40th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards. These awards, presented in conjunction with OneStar Foundation, honor the exemplary service of individuals, groups, and organizations that have made a significant contribution to Texas communities through service and volunteering in the past year.

“It is with great excitement that I recognize 15 exceptional awardees of this year’s Governor’s Volunteer Awards, commemorating 40 years of honoring outstanding volunteers,” said First Lady Abbott. “These awardees—and those honored over the past four decades—are a testament to the true strength and selfless leadership embedded in the spirit of Texas.”

“We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the remarkable volunteer work of this year’s award recipients, all while celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Governor’s Volunteer Awards,” said OneStar President and CEO Chris Bugbee. “The recipients of this year’s awards embody the strength and resilience ingrained in the Texan spirit of service, inspiring future generations to create profound impacts within their communities.”
Awardees will be honored during National Volunteer Month in April at a reception hosted at the Texas Governor’s Mansion.

The recipients of the 40th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards are:

  • Ann Hammond (Houston): Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award

    Ann Hammond has been a dedicated advocate for Clear Creek Independent School District for over 35 years. A founding member of the Board of Directors for the Bay Area Alliance for Youth and Families, Ann orchestrates impactful initiatives. Since 2003, Ann has been devoted to Bay Area Turning Point, offering crucial support to families affected by domestic violence or sexual assault. As a committee member of Communities in Schools – Bay Area since 2008, Ann has helped to spearhead the annual Keep Kids in School Golf Tournament and Wine Event, which raises funding to support student support personnel across CCISD campuses. She also plays a pivotal role as the Project Graduation Chair for Clear View High School, ensuring memorable and safe environments for graduating seniors. Ann has spent more than 30 years as an active PTA member/officer and received National recognition.

  • Kent and Priscilla Pate (Midway): Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award

    Kent and Priscilla Pate embody a remarkable legacy of selfless service, dedicating over 28 years to volunteering and uplifting the community. Their extensive efforts include orchestrating volunteer teams to provide essential resources to communities experiencing high levels of poverty, addressing homelessness in Fort Worth, and serving veterans in Texas prisons. As founders of the KPM Leadership Academy, they have supported and graduated 1,457 students through transformational leadership programs, contributing significantly to developing future community leaders. Their vision for 2024 includes expanding the academy’s impact by launching programs in eight Texas prisons, furthering their dedication to transformative rehabilitation and societal reintegration.

  • Wayne Rhoden (Georgetown): Posthumous Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award

    Wayne Rhoden dedicated over 25 years to nature and gardening with a lasting impact on environmental stewardship in Williamson County. A key chapter of Wayne’s volunteer legacy unfolded at Berry Springs Park & Preserve, where he applied his extensive gardening expertise to design and install over 30 flower beds, transforming the park’s landscape. Wayne’s 13-year commitment to Berry Springs included co-captaining seasonal clean-up events, leading nature walks, and advising on flower bed maintenance. Wayne’s passion for education extended to the Williamson County Master Gardener and Naturalist Volunteer programs, where he served as the founding president and enriched the community through informative presentations. His impactful leadership reached committees, boards, and advisory roles, demonstrating his ability to engage cross-sector partners for broader community impact.

  • Rizwan Khan (Plano): First Lady’s Rising Star Award

    Throughout high school, Rizwan has demonstrated exceptional leadership and community service commitment. Over four years, he amassed more than 4,000 hours, packaging 120,000 meals for lower-income families, and organizing a clothing drive for Turkey-Syria earthquake victims. As founder of Politics For Teens, Rizwan initiated civil unity discussions, expanding globally with more than 150 chapters and over 15,000+ students, hosting influential figures and gaining media recognition. A founding member of Hoops Reboot, he raised more than $3,000 for equal opportunities on the basketball court. In academics, Rizwan leads clubs like UNICEF and Key Club, distributing 80,000 pounds of food and raising over $2,000 for global child development. Currently, as president of the Plano West CASH Club Corp., he oversees more than 50 chapters, imparting financial literacy to students.

  • Rahul Vijayan (Pearland): First Lady’s Rising Star Award

    In his sophomore year of high school, Rahul Vijayan founded the nonprofit Farm to Tray to introduce hydroponics at Shadow Creek High School, promoting sustainable nutrition and STEM education. Collaborating with Moonflower Farms, Rahul implemented a hydroponic garden on campus, yielding seven harvests and serving as an educational tool for AP Environmental Science curriculum. Expanding awareness, Rahul organized a hydroponics symposium where he distributed 100 free Microgreen kits to 15 schools across his district, Alvin ISD. Since then, he has introduced microgreen kits to 55 schools across five states, impacting 33,0000 students nationwide with plans for continued expansion.

  • Jana Anderson (San Angelo): Volunteer of the Year Award

    Jana Anderson, a compassionate leader in Tom Green County, emerged as a beacon of hope after losing her son Christopher to suicide in 2001. Partnering with West Texas Counseling & Guidance in 2016, she founded the Survivors of Suicide support group and the Tom Green County Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors Team in 2017, offering unique postvention support. Jana’s unparalleled commitment includes responding to 19 scenes, volunteering 1,644 hours in 137 on-call shifts, and leading a minimum of 12 shifts monthly. Her impact is immeasurable, providing strength to countless survivors in Tom Green County. Jana’s dedication extends beyond immediate response, co-leading SOS group meetings, facilitating LOSS Team training, engaging in fundraising, and promoting suicide prevention awareness.

  • Joan Ulsher (Helotes): Volunteer of the Year Award

    Joan Ulsher transitioned her two decades of military service to dedicated community engagement in Bexar County. Since 2018, she has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Child Advocates (CASA) of San Antonio, leveraging her foster care experience to advocate for the best interests of children and teens in conservatorship. Joan, with one of the largest caseloads, logged 681 volunteer hours this year, totaling 4,369 hours in under five years. Beyond advocacy, she crafts custom-painted furniture for foster children and leads legislative advocacy, fostering relationships with 14 local legislators since 2020. Joan’s impactful story serves as a call to action to raise awareness about foster care challenges, inspiring CASA recruitment and retention efforts. Her unwavering goal is to ensure every child in foster care has a dedicated CASA advocate.

  • Cheng Family (Allen): Volunteer Family of the Year Award

    LiMei, Christina, Ishaan, and Avi Cheng drive Under My Umbrella (UMU), a woman- and youth-founded and led community service organization passionately committed to addressing homelessness and community outreach. Avi initiated the unsheltered outreach program, serving 50-125 unhoused individuals weekly for the last four years. His grandmother, LiMei, contributes by organizing donations and providing protein-rich meals weekly. Ishaan established UMU Youth Academy, a program that aims to provide access to sports, arts, and music, such as free youth basketball camps, and has organized an annual holiday shelter event for eight years. Christina initiated the Rainy Day program which aims to bridge small gaps and encourage community engagement. With each family member averaging 3-12 hours of service weekly, they inspire a balance between home, work, school, and selfless contributions to their community.

  • McCoy’s Building Supply (San Marcos): Corporate Champion Award

    McCoy’s Building Supply fosters a culture deeply rooted in community care since its founding in 1927. In the aftermath of Hurricane Carla in 1961, their principled stance against opportunistic pricing earned them a reputation for fairness. In the 1980s, McCoy’s elevated community support to a guiding priority, creating a statewide culture of giving. Actively engaged in local communities, every store collaborates at the statewide level, impacting numerous lives through nonprofits like Operation Finally Home, Austin Habitat for Humanity, and Head Start. In recent years, McCoy’s Building Supply has supported over 500 local organizations throughout store communities in Texas. Beyond material and financial support, McCoy’s 3,000+ employees contribute time and effort voluntarily, translating trust into individual volunteerism, constructing a compassionate and thriving community.

  • Academy 4 (Fort Worth): Community Champion Award

    Academy 4’s innovative programs have profoundly impacted Tarrant County communities, fostering mentorship and leadership development in schools serving high-poverty populations. Originating at Daggett Elementary School in 2012, it has expanded to 45 schools across 15 districts in Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin. Engaging over 900 volunteers in mentorship, its 11th year witnessed impactful expansions, including Leaders 5 and 4Families, to address broader family needs. The Full Circle Scholars program exemplifies a commitment to full-circle impact, with high school seniors returning to serve in elementary schools. Diverse volunteers, aged 16 to over 90, underscore the community’s collective commitment to nurturing the next generation.

  • City of Longview Partners in Prevention (Longview): Community Champion Award

    Partners in Prevention, a catalyst for positive change in Longview, tackles community challenges through youth development, poverty alleviation, unity, diversity, and substance use prevention. At its core is the Aspire Mentoring Program (AMP), which engages 86 adult volunteers investing an average of four hours monthly to build impactful one-to-one relationships with children from low-income households. With 85% of beneficiaries relying on free or reduced lunch, AMP plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable youth. Initiatives like Longview Bridges Out of Poverty, Unity and Diversity Committee, and Coalition for Drug-Free Youth address barriers through community mobilization. Volunteers logged 5,363 hours last year, with significant dedication to AMP.

  • Arlington Classics Academy (Arlington): Education Champion Award

    Arlington Classics Academy has embedded volunteerism and fostered empathy and responsibility in its community culture for 25 years. The Griffin Goodfellows program, a core initiative, engages students in diverse community service projects, volunteer activities, and fundraisers. Collaborations with Mission Arlington and the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Mayoral Challenge result in significant contributions, with students collecting more than 27,000 canned food items and donating an average of $624 annually. The program goes beyond traditional philanthropy, including initiatives like Rucks for Trucks, Toys for Tots, and support for organizations such as Patriot Paws. Approximately 100 students receive the Griffin Goodfellow Award annually, fostering a sense of accomplishment and shaping socially responsible, empathetic leaders for over two decades.

  • Orange County Disaster Rebuild (Orange): Rebuild Texas Disaster Impact Award

    Established in May 2018, Orange County Disaster Rebuild (OCDR) is a formidable force in disaster response, addressing eight significant events, including Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Laura. Their impactful service transcends challenges, raising over $3.2 million in critical unmet needs assistance in Orange County, Texas. OCDR repaired over 300 homes, built 16 new homes, and replaced 11 destroyed mobile homes/RVs, allocating $420,000 for furniture and appliances. Engaging more than 2,500 out-of-area volunteers, they foster strong relationships with local, state, and federal entities, nonprofits, churches, businesses, and communities. OCDR’s robust community programs partnerships with local government, and commitment to securing funds and resources underscore their positive impact and stellar reputation.

  • Joe Carreon (Dallas): AmeriCorps Legacy of Service Award

    In 2010, Joe Carreon served as an AmeriCorps member with Food On The Move, a hunger relief program providing summer meals for over 10,000 kids. Since then, he has remained dedicated to the Bachman Lake community of Dallas, currently serving as President of the Bachman-Northwest Highway Community Association, a founding member of the Friends of Bachman Lake, and board member for Equal Heart, a national model for anti-hunger efforts. His insight and commitment to addressing food insecurity is enhanced through his experiences within the Dallas Mayor’s Office, The Office of the Colorado Governor, and the White House. Currently, Joe is a member of the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees. He regularly leads community initiatives like clean-up days, workshops, public-private partnerships, and mentoring programs, showcasing exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to community service.

  • Katrina Huffman (Brady): AmeriCorps Legacy of Service Award

    In her AmeriCorps VISTA tenure from 2021 to 2023 and beyond, Katrina Huffman has profoundly impacted the Brady community, addressing hunger-related issues through visionary leadership. Hailing from an area where food pantries serve over a quarter of the population, Katrina’s VISTA actions stemmed from deep conviction and unwavering passion. As part of her VISTA service, she established the Hunger Coalition, uniting nonprofits and other community stakeholders to eradicate hunger. Katrina’s strategic thinking and organizational prowess elevated the coalition to a recognized 501(c)(3) organization. She organized fundraisers, hosted local food drives, and initiated a client-choice food pantry. Even after VISTA, as a dedicated volunteer, Katrina continues the relentless pursuit of a hunger-free future, marking her as a catalyst for change in Brady.

For more information, vvisit onestarfoundation.org/governors-volunteer-awards.

Counting the Years of Making It Count | A Letter from the CEO

2024 marks an extraordinary year for OneStar as we celebrate several significant milestones that illustrate our enduring legacy of engaging Texans to take action in local communities.

I have served with OneStar since 2006 and have witnessed the organization evolve and adapt to address our state’s most pressing social needs—from responding to the devastation of Hurricane Harvey to mobilizing for COVID-19 recovery. I cherish the opportunity to reflect on our past achievements—not to pat ourselves on the back, but rather to remember the incredible friends and collaborators who have shaped our journey and to inspire us all to reach farther and dream bigger. Woven within our history is a roadmap comprised of best practices and valuable lessons learned through lived experience. I am grateful for this time to reflect on our legacy and acknowledge the vision and resources invested by our amazing partners to reach where we are today.

In the weeks ahead, we will be counting the years of making it count. Among the milestones we are celebrating this year are:

  • 50 years of state-supported service and volunteerism. In 1974, Governor Dolph Briscoe established the Texas Center for Volunteer Action, acknowledging the importance of volunteer service in Texas communities. This set a vital precedent of the state supporting service initiatives, which continues to this day through OneStar.
  • 40 years of Governor’s Volunteer Awards. Established by Governor Mark White in the 1980s, the Governor’s Volunteer Awards shine a statewide spotlight on inspiring stories of how volunteers can transform local communities. The prestigious awards, now administered by OneStar, garner bipartisan support and have been hosted annually by every Texas governor for the last 40 years.
  • 30 years of AmeriCorps. In 1994, President Bill Clinton launched AmeriCorps as a service-driven solution to our nation’s most pressing social challenges, with more than 20,000 Americans taking the first AmeriCorps pledge at the White House and in states across the country. Today, as the state-appointed national service commission, OneStar is a champion and conduit for the power of AmeriCorps to reach Texas communities.
  • 20 years of OneStar. OneStar was established in 2004 as a united home merging diverse initiatives across Texas centered on furthering volunteerism and community service. When designating OneStar, Governor Rick Perry cited the power of volunteering to “transform our communities, our families and the lives of individual Texans, and enrich the life of the volunteer.”

But it does not end there. These accomplishments of the past are still very much with us today and build a foundation that creates exciting possibilities for the future. This year, we are also launching a forward-thinking strategic plan, which builds on our incredible legacy. As you join us in celebrating these milestones in our history, I hope you will gain a deeper appreciation for the journey ahead and be inspired to take action in the unfolding story of Texans uniting in service to foster more united, resilient, and thriving communities.

To get involved in our celebration, follow OneStar on social media and subscribe to our email updates. As we reminisce about memorable moments from decades past, I invite you to imagine how we can evolve and build on these achievements and create modern solutions for further advancing civic and community engagement in Texas. I look forward to partnering alongside you in our next chapter!

Chris BugbeeChris Bugbee
President & CEO
OneStar

Building a Foundation: OneStar 2023 Annual Report

We are pleased to announce the release of the OneStar 2022 Annual Report! This year’s publication features the theme of Moving Forward, Giving Back, which highlights the enormous progress we have made together in fostering more generous and resilient Texas communities.

In addition to showcasing OneStar’s impact and providing transparency into our operations, we prioritized telling the stories of our partners across Texas to illustrate the power of collaboration. Our 2021 Annual Report spotlights specific examples of how OneStar builds capacity for nonprofits doing amazing work in Texas and provides critical support to diverse organizations statewide.

We extend our appreciation to our extraordinary colleagues from Sewa International, Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, Volunteer Houston, Hookset Brother Combat Recovery, Texas Department for State Health Services, United Ways of Texas, and Latinitas, who agreed to have their experiences featured in these pages. This is just a small glimpse of the many valued partners we had the privilege of working with in 2021, and we thank all of you for joining our us in our mission to build stronger Texas communities.

Letter from the CEO: OneStar 2022 Annual Report

2022 was truly our year of coming back together! While we continued to embrace the flexibility of meeting virtually, it was refreshing to finally reunite for face-to-face gatherings. From an award ceremony at the Texas Governor’s Mansion to conferences and a staff retreat, it was heartwarming to see and embrace our friends, partners, and teammates in person.

This was also a year of getting things done with our partners. A few highlights for me: we distributed a record amount of AmeriCorps funding to support an incredible portfolio of national service programs across Texas. We launched Texas Nonprofit Strong in partnership with United Ways of Texas to equip our sector and promote the impact nonprofits have in our communities. And we intensified our efforts to provide accessible programming and resources to rural communities by launching the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network and establishing new rural partnerships.

It was also a year of new beginnings as we moved into a new office in East Austin and opened our first satellite location in Dallas. We are proud to now be a part of the Water Cooler at Pegasus Park, joining a campus of social impact organizations seeking to be more effective through collaboration.

In 2022, we learned yet again that from tragedy comes unity. In the aftermath of the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, OneStar was honored to collaborate with local leaders to launch the Robb School Memorial Fund. Donors from around the world overwhelmed us with their outpouring of support. I was moved and deeply grateful to each of our community partners that stepped forward to help bring support to Uvalde.

One consistent theme the past year has demonstrated is what becomes possible when we work together. As I enter my fourth year leading OneStar, I am grateful for the hard work of this dedicated team to create a stable foundation for our work, even when the world is changing so much around us. I am excited to see how we continue to calibrate and build in the upcoming year. Thank you for being with us every step of the way.

Sincerely,

Chris Bugbee
President & CEO

Five Critical Questions Every Nonprofit Must Address for Disaster Preparedness

There are tons of resources on nonprofit management from strategic planning to funder engagement. Within these resources, we often leave out an essential topic: is our nonprofit ready for a prompt response during a disaster? 

In the dynamic and unpredictable world of today, disaster resilience must be a focal point for all nonprofit leaders. Resilience is not merely a buzzword; it signifies the capacity to adapt, organize, and react with intent after an unforeseen disaster. 

Here are five questions we believe every nonprofit should ask now.  

What type of disaster is most likely to affect us?

Not every city or region is prone to the same types of disasters. Prioritize action at your organization by identifying the type of event most likely to occur in your area. For instance, the most common disasters impacting Texas communities include tornadoes, hurricanes, flash floods, earthquakes, wildfires and drought.

Next, consider the primary hazards and their impact on your work. For example, if you serve a population that is largely senior in age, consider that many already do not have access to transportation. During a disaster, the impact of these limitations in mobility may be exacerbated. Develop a plan to address this need under extraordinary circumstances. In this same vein, consider what role(s) your nonprofit is uniquely positioned to help with during a disaster. Do you have the ability to have a skeleton crew for your work and have updates pushed out regularly on social media? Discuss this with your full team and ask how the organization can show up in unique ways.

Do we know our key contacts—including our county judge, emergency manager, and other social change leaders— that play an active role in disasters?

Your nonprofit can forge strong partnerships with emergency managers in blue skies, so that we can bring the two spheres of expertise together to plan an adequate and inclusive response for the whole community, including the people you serve. Do you know your local Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and/or Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD)? A COAD is a network of community organizations, businesses, nonprofits and individuals working together to plan community responses to a variety of emergency and disaster situations.

Both VOADs and COADs work to reduce the duplication of services and other inefficiencies that occur during times of disaster. Often, these groups may hold educational and networking sessions. Key areas of their work include planning, coordinating, and implementing disaster recovery resources. Forming relationships and getting to know their primary functions is very helpful before a disaster situation.

Do we need to implement a Disaster Response Plan?

The short answer is “yes,” but what type of plan will be most helpful to your organization? To get to the answer, consider what function of your nonprofit will be most deeply impacted. What services will the community turn to your organization for, and how will you meet those needs during a disaster? Will you be delivering direct service, raising funds on behalf of others, or temporarily expanding areas of an existing program to accommodate greater need? In addition to helping others, ensure that you are prepared to perform essential business functions such as payroll and critical client services.

If you foresee increased activity around giving and philanthropy, consider this: most disaster giving happens in the first six weeks when media coverage is high, but quickly drops off when the news cycle moves on. To prepare in the best way, decide whether your organization will take donations (both cash, stock, and in-kind) and how will you acknowledge the gifts. How will funds be distributed afterwards?

In the immediate aftermath of a major disaster, there will be a dearth of information while needs within your target population could be greater than ever. Thus, give yourself time now to think through the communications function. Start with these questions:

  • What is the ideal workflow to develop a crisis response narrative?
  • What is your role in interfacing with the media in preparation for a disaster? Do you have the resources internally to participate in interviews? If your organization expects press engagement, make a plan for who will support behind-the-scenes with collecting data and crafting key messages and who will be interacting directly with the media.

How do we begin to build a ‘culture of preparedness’?

Answers to the previous questions will help identify areas of organizational focus after a disaster. With this information, you can begin to plan what programmatic functions will likely be expanded after a disaster event. With this in mind, consider how to train and educate staff to complete their roles. Are there Emergency Management meetings that we should attend? Some examples may include local emergency management trainings and exercises, VOAD/COAD meetings, trainings with Texas Division of Emergency Management, and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs.

Building out a culture of preparedness requires that you review your internal capacity. Identify your existing strengths within the organization. After a disaster, you may need to shift roles for some staff. Identify the individual employees and teams that are likely to take on additional work and determine capacity gaps. Where are areas where you should cross-train teams? Remember to focus on the people not just the plan and infrastructure.

How can we mobilize volunteers during a time of crisis?

In what ways can volunteers play a role in ecosystem recovery? If you have an existing pool of active volunteers, consider if there is an easy tie-in to disaster response, even for virtual participation. Volunteer interest immediately following a disaster is high, but what happens after public attention wanes? Will there be volunteer needs months after the disaster? For volunteer needs in Texas, the VolunteerTX.org site is a great resource, where you can search for opportunities by activity type and location. You can preemptively research if you have a local Volunteer Center or Volunteer Connector Organization, which often serves as the contact point for local and national volunteer organizations, connecting Individuals with local opportunities.

Do not underestimate the power of social media alerts and online information sharing. There may be certain requests for particular donation items or foods after a disaster. Invoking the help of your existing volunteer network to share these requests can be deeply effective.

Nonprofits’ greatest strengths are our community-facing work as well as our collective numbers. With more than 130,000 nonprofits in Texas, our sector influences every community, maintains close social ties with local stakeholders, and understands the latest socio-political issues. Disaster response is a topic of increasing importance in today’s world that demands our attention. Since nonprofits possess a first-hand understanding of a community’s challenges, nonprofit leaders need to reflect on how to best leverage their knowledge and resources to respond after a disaster event. 

At OneStar, we have seen how iteratively conceptualizing our role has allowed us to more effectively respond to disasters. We hope these questions ignite dialogue and reflection on the potential impact on your work should disaster strike.  

Michelle VrynMichelle Vryn
Chief Development Officer
OneStar

Nominations Now Open for the 40th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards

A version of this press release was originally posted here by the Office of the Texas Governor.

Governor’s Volunteer Awards commemorate 40 years of recognizing those who have made a difference through service across Texas

AUSTIN — Nominations are now open for the 40th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards. Administered by OneStar Foundation, the Governor’s Volunteer Awards are an opportunity for the State of Texas to honor those who have made a significant and measurable difference in their communities through exemplary service and volunteering.

“As we celebrate 40 years of honoring exceptional volunteers, Greg and I are immensely proud of the profound impact they have had on inspiring generations of Texans, illuminating the path of selfless service, and igniting a brighter future for all,” said First Lady Cecilia Abbott.

“We are honored to partner with the Governor and First Lady of Texas to recognize individuals and organizations that are making a profound difference in their communities,” said Chris Bugbee, OneStar President and CEO. “Through the Governor’s Volunteer Awards, we hope to inspire all Texans to consider how they can make a difference through service.”

Nominations are open in nine categories:

  • Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award
  • First Lady’s Rising Star Award
  • Volunteer of the Year Award
  • Volunteer Family of the Year Award
  • Community Champion Award
  • Education Champion Award
  • Corporate Champion Award
  • Rebuild Texas Disaster Impact Award
  • AmeriCorps Legacy of Service Award

For descriptions of the award categories and to nominate an individual or organization, visit:
onestarfoundation.org/governors-volunteer-awards

Nominations will close on Friday, September 22, 2023. Awardees will be honored during National Volunteer Week in April 2024 at the Governor’s Mansion, hosted by Honorary Chair of the Governor’s Volunteer Awards, First Lady Abbott.

 

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About OneStar

OneStar strengthens Texas communities by creating pathways for individuals and organizations to engage, connect and accelerate their impact. We advance service and volunteering as effective solutions to our state’s toughest social challenges. We are recognized as a statewide voice for the Texas nonprofit sector and a respected partner to foundations, state agencies and the business community. Born from state government in 1974, we carry out our mission with direction and guidance from the Office of the Texas Governor. Learn more at onestarfoundation.org

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Moving Forward, Giving Back: OneStar 2022 Annual Report

We are pleased to announce the release of the OneStar 2022 Annual Report! This year’s publication features the theme of Moving Forward, Giving Back, which highlights the enormous progress we have made together in fostering more generous and resilient Texas communities.

In addition to showcasing OneStar’s impact and providing transparency into our operations, we prioritized telling the stories of our partners across Texas to illustrate the power of collaboration. Our 2021 Annual Report spotlights specific examples of how OneStar builds capacity for nonprofits doing amazing work in Texas and provides critical support to diverse organizations statewide.

We extend our appreciation to our extraordinary colleagues from Sewa International, Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, Volunteer Houston, Hookset Brother Combat Recovery, Texas Department for State Health Services, United Ways of Texas, and Latinitas, who agreed to have their experiences featured in these pages. This is just a small glimpse of the many valued partners we had the privilege of working with in 2021, and we thank all of you for joining our us in our mission to build stronger Texas communities.

Letter from the CEO: OneStar 2022 Annual Report

2022 was truly our year of coming back together! While we continued to embrace the flexibility of meeting virtually, it was refreshing to finally reunite for face-to-face gatherings. From an award ceremony at the Texas Governor’s Mansion to conferences and a staff retreat, it was heartwarming to see and embrace our friends, partners, and teammates in person.

This was also a year of getting things done with our partners. A few highlights for me: we distributed a record amount of AmeriCorps funding to support an incredible portfolio of national service programs across Texas. We launched Texas Nonprofit Strong in partnership with United Ways of Texas to equip our sector and promote the impact nonprofits have in our communities. And we intensified our efforts to provide accessible programming and resources to rural communities by launching the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network and establishing new rural partnerships.

It was also a year of new beginnings as we moved into a new office in East Austin and opened our first satellite location in Dallas. We are proud to now be a part of the Water Cooler at Pegasus Park, joining a campus of social impact organizations seeking to be more effective through collaboration.

In 2022, we learned yet again that from tragedy comes unity. In the aftermath of the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, OneStar was honored to collaborate with local leaders to launch the Robb School Memorial Fund. Donors from around the world overwhelmed us with their outpouring of support. I was moved and deeply grateful to each of our community partners that stepped forward to help bring support to Uvalde.

One consistent theme the past year has demonstrated is what becomes possible when we work together. As I enter my fourth year leading OneStar, I am grateful for the hard work of this dedicated team to create a stable foundation for our work, even when the world is changing so much around us. I am excited to see how we continue to calibrate and build in the upcoming year. Thank you for being with us every step of the way.

Sincerely,

Chris Bugbee
President & CEO

OneStar awarded $33.5 million in AmeriCorps funding for Texas

Texas nonprofits seek more than 3,500 AmeriCorps members to meet local community needs

AUSTIN – OneStar announced today that Texas received $33.5 million from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. This funding will be distributed to 41 organizations across the state to engage 3,526 AmeriCorps members in local communities.

In the coming year, AmeriCorps members will address pressing social challenges in Texas through a variety of service opportunities, such as serving as tutors in low-income schools, distributing food to children and families in need, providing support for those recovering from addiction, responding to Texas communities recovering from disaster and much more. Six new AmeriCorps programs are launching in Texas this year, many with an emphasis on public health and workforce development. For example, Homeward Bound Inc., a Dallas nonprofit offering substance abuse treatment, will engage AmeriCorps members to develop and implement individualized plans for in-patient clients that support long-term recovery and build their motivation and self-esteem to pursue viable career paths.

Programs across the state are currently recruiting AmeriCorps members to serve in Texas communities in the months ahead. AmeriCorps is focused on reducing barriers to service and has prioritized additional benefits, such as increased living allowance, for members that will serve in the coming year.

In addition to the grant funding, AmeriCorps will provide an additional $14 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for AmeriCorps members in Texas funded by these grants. After completing a full term of service, AmeriCorps members receive an award of up to $6,895 that they can apply toward tuition at eligible schools and educational programs or qualified student loan repayment. Interested individuals can visit VolunteerTX.org to search and apply for AmeriCorps positions in Texas.

“Year after year AmeriCorps members answer the call to serve Texas communities and are essential in addressing our state’s most pressing needs. From closing the education gap to combating hunger, poverty, and homelessness, they are the boots on the ground changing lives,” said Chris Bugbee, OneStar President & CEO. “The organizations that engage AmeriCorps members understand the value these diverse individuals bring to their organizations and the invaluable skills and experiences members themselves gain during their time in service.”

The $33.5 million in funding, administered by OneStar, will be distributed to the following organizations operating in Texas.

  • Amarillo Independent School District
  • American YouthWorks
  • American YouthWorks (Public Health AmeriCorps)*
  • Austin Achieve Public Schools
  • Boys & Girls Club of Pharr
  • Breakthrough Central Texas
  • Campus Compact*
  • ChildFund International USA
  • City Year Dallas
  • City Year San Antonio
  • CitySquare
  • CLC, Inc.*
  • College Advising Corps
  • College Possible
  • Collegiate Edu-Nation
  • Communities In Schools of Central Texas
  • Communities In Schools of North Texas
  • Communities In Schools of San Antonio
  • Communities In Schools of South Central Texas*
  • Equal Heart
  • Fort Bend Family Health Center
  • Generation Teach
  • Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
  • Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas
  • Homeward Bound*
  • Imagine Art
  • Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston
  • Legacy Community Health Services
  • Project Transformation
  • Reading Partners
  • Relay Graduate School of Education
  • Sewa International
  • Student Conservation Association
  • Teach For America
  • Texas Southmost College District*
  • The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
  • Travis County Health and Human Services
  • United Way of El Paso County
  • University of North Texas
  • University of Texas at Austin
  • West Texas A&M University

* New AmeriCorps Texas program

AmeriCorps State and National, a federal-state partnership with a central role for governor-appointed state service commissions like OneStar, develops and implements state-specific national service programs. These grants allow organizations to recruit, train and supervise AmeriCorps members who provide services in the areas of education, disaster response & recovery, health, environmental stewardship, economic opportunity and support for veterans & military families.

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About AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

About OneStar

OneStar strengthens Texas communities by creating pathways for individuals and organizations to engage, connect and accelerate their impact. We advance service and volunteering as effective solutions to our state’s toughest social challenges. We are recognized as a statewide voice for the Texas nonprofit sector and a respected partner to foundations, state agencies and the business community. Born from state government in 1974, we carry out our mission with direction and guidance from the Office of the Texas Governor. Learn more at onestarfoundation.org.

A Look Back at the 2023 Texas Nonprofit Summit

Austin | February 27-March 1, 2023

The 2023 Texas Nonprofit Summit marked an exciting return of OneStar’s flagship event. The conference, themed RE:engage, invited attendees to explore sector issues as they relate to today’s ever-evolving Texas landscape. Sessions were focused around building momentum and leaning into the vast possibilities for social change.

The conference kicked off with high-energy keynotes from Tracy Spears and Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew. We closed out the opening plenary with getting up, moving, and connecting with Forklift Danceworks. Attendees were offered a variety of breakout sessions and deep dives designed to induce collaborative strategy, strengthen leadership, and build the adaptive capacities of our organizations. On day three, nearly 125 attendees headed to the Texas Capitol to participate in our first Texas Nonprofit Strong Day. Information sessions educated attendees on the ways in which government impacts their work and how they can be empowered to advocate on behalf of the Texas nonprofit sector.

With more than 350 attendees, we drew a statewide crowd of nonprofit leaders and supporters who came to both learn and celebrate the strength and impact of the Texas nonprofit sector. Our sponsors, including Texas Mutual, NRG, UFCU, and the RGK Center for Philanthropy & Community Service, were critical in enabling such a great three-day education experience. Thank you to our engaged attendees for showing up making this year one of deep connection and innovation.

2023 Texas Nonprofit Summit

The Texas Nonprofit Summit was such a great networking opportunity. It is important that we are able to learn and share with others. It definitely assisted me in seeing the big picture and how important each nonprofit is in the lives of our citizens.

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Keynote Addresses

RE:engage | 2023 AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting

The 2023 AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting featured the theme of RE:engage, a “subject line” that regards the need for engagement in its many forms. How can we inspire and support our current, future, and past AmeriCorps members? How do we keep service site partners and communities we serve interested and involved in our work? The theme also doubled as a call to renew our enthusiasm for the impact of national service and take bold action as we move forward together.

This year, our AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting was integrated with the Texas Nonprofit Summit, our annual statewide conference for Texas nonprofit changemakers, which offered AmeriCorps grantees extended opportunities for growth and networking.

Here are a few memorable highlights from this year’s AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting:

  • Coming together in-person. After three years of online events, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to bring all our grantees together to participate in community live and in-person. While we have remained engaged virtually, nothing beats holding space together in the same setting. Being in-person allowed the AmeriCorps Texas team and grantees to meet new folks, reconnect with long-time colleagues, and strengthen current relationships. The Ready, Set, Connect networking activity provided attendees with time to discuss challenges and best practices with new and old colleagues. It is through this relationship-building and sharing of insights that we can all grow AmeriCorps in Texas.
  • Strategizing creative ways to recruit and retain members. Through a robust lunch and learn discussion with CitySquare and Serve Houston, grantees heard about recruitment challenges and best practices to address them. Three of our Workforce Development Planning grantees — American YouthWorks, Communities In Schools of San Antonio, and Reading Partners — shared career pathways they are seeking to develop for their members. Some of these strategies include member/mentor matching and coordination with employers to offering certifications and graduate school admissions support. Additionally, Mission Capital provided grantees with information on ethical data collection and strategies for how to share data stories through an equitable lens which could help support recruitment efforts.
  • Supporting sites through a holistic approach. It is through supportive service sites that AmeriCorps members grow and thrive. Communities In Schools of Central Texas shared how incorporating member and site supervisor input and feedback sessions informed and improved their program model by making it more strengths-based and community-centered. Grantees learned about how Sewa practices cultural humility with their community by learning more about their cultures and using that information to inform how they do outreach and build productive service environments. Amy Salinas from On3Learn presented on the four dimensions of success and provided attendees with tools and strategies for successful multi-site management.
2023 AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting

First Lady Cecilia Abbott, OneStar Foundation Announce 39th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards Recipients

This press release was originally posted here by The Office of the Texas Governor.

AUSTIN — Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Honorary Chair of the Governor’s Volunteer Awards, today announced the recipients of the 39th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards. These awards, presented in conjunction with OneStar Foundation, honor the exemplary service of individuals, groups, and organizations that have made a significant and measurable contribution to Texas communities through service and volunteering in the past year.

“I am thrilled to recognize the 14 outstanding awardees of this year’s Governor’s Volunteer Awards for their selfless dedication to Texans across the state,” said Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott. “The true strength of Texas is found in our people, and this year’s award winners are a moving testament to the character of the Lone Star State.”

“This year’s award recipients reflect the strength and resilience inherent in the Texan spirit of service,” said Chris Bugbee, OneStar President and CEO. “We are honored to shine a spotlight on these stellar examples of volunteer service with the hope that it will inspire even more generations of Texans to get involved and take action in their own community.”

Awardees will be honored during National Volunteer Month in April at a reception hosted at the Texas Governor’s Mansion.

The recipients of the 39th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards are:

  • Harriet Marmon Helmle (San Antonio): Governor’s Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award

    Harriet Marmon Helmle has dedicated most of her life to improving education, helping the homeless and disabled, improving medical care for all, and giving girls and women the tools needed to succeed. During the past four decades, she has raised tens of millions of dollars for San Antonio area nonprofits. In 1984, Harriet founded San Antonio Youth Literacy to reach high-risk high school students and their families in disadvantaged neighborhoods that now serves over 900 students on 75 campuses. 

  • Mindy Gross (Fort Bend): Governor’s Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award

    Mindy Gross has worked with the Fort Bend Women’s Center since the late 1990s to assist domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and their children in achieving safety and self-sufficiency. Mindy’s countless volunteer hours and continued commitment have enhanced the Richmond community, volunteers, and staff. In various leadership roles, Mindy has worked with Child Advocates of Fort Bend County and the United Way. She also founded the STARS volunteer auxiliary in 2004, co-founded and served as inaugural co-chair for their annual Girlfriends Giggle benefit, and raised more than $1 million for Fort Bend Women’s Center’s programs and services. 

  • Rose Wilson (Lubbock): Governor’s Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award

    Rose Wilson continues to leave an outstanding legacy in Lubbock with decades of volunteer service spanning from fighting food insecurity to mentoring students to advancing social justice causes. At 95 years old, Rose continues to engage in new volunteer opportunities, help organize events, and serve on boards. Rose has been active with the Lubbock NAACP since the 1960s, becoming the first African American woman to be elected president in 1978 and remaining president for 30 years. She continues to serve on the executive board of the Lubbock NAACP, helping with membership drives and fund development and serving on the finance committee.

  • Catherine Bai (Houston): First Lady’s Rising Star Award

    After seeing the loneliness experienced by many nursing home residents, Catherine Bai started an Adopt a Senior program for residents rarely visited by family members. She soon realized the power of music therapy to help people with dementia and founded the Pearland branch of WeCareAct, a student volunteer organization to involve youth in community service in the Greater Houston area. So far the group has more than 100 volunteers, 1,000 hours dedicated, nine formal holiday concerts organized, and 900 seniors and community members served. Catherine presented her music community service project to the 2022 Future Problem Solving International Conference to raise awareness of the elderly in need.

  • Vedha Vaddaraju (Dallas): First Lady’s Rising Star Award

    Vedha Vaddaraju co-founded Letters of Gold, a Texas nonprofit with the mission of uplifting Texas residents and individuals around the world with letters of light in times of darkness. Letters of Gold delivers more than 3,000 letters to different groups in need every month, primarily in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and Texas. As a rising senior in high school, Vedha leads a team of almost 100 youth volunteers throughout Texas and has chapters of her organization in nearly 10 schools in the DFW area. Having the opportunity to speak in global conferences for the past two years and featured on various news sources in Texas, Vedha uses her skills to empower those around her to write letters and offers monthly training sessions for youth to encourage them to act in their community.

  • Elizabeth Watkins (Frisco): Volunteer of the Year Award

    Elizabeth Watkins founded Refresh Frisco in 2019 to provide hygiene products to students in need. With the mission in mind that proper hygiene is critical for a child’s health and self-esteem, Elizabeth set out to ensure that every child in her community has access to personal hygiene items. As an example of their rapid growth, Refresh Frisco served around 150 students in November 2019 and, by May 2022, had expanded to serve over 1,400 children in K-12 in Frisco ISD. She has recently expanded to Refresh Little Elm, serving more than 300 LEISD students and growing. 

  • Dr. Gary Beach (Austin): Volunteer of the Year Award

    Dr. Gary Beach began volunteering with The Volunteer Healthcare Clinic in 2008 and has improved the lives of countless uninsured patients. As a Vietnam veteran, Gary received the Meritorious Mast from the U.S. Marine Corps and went on to become an acclaimed physician for more than 42 years. He has repeatedly won Top Doctor awards in both Texas Monthly and Austin Monthly. Gary also uses his volunteer time at VHC to mentor the next generation of healthcare providers. He has supported and taught many pre-med students who have gone one to medical schools such as Dell, Southwestern, McGovern, Baylor, UTMB, TAMU, and Stanford.

  • Diana & Glen Egley (New Danville): Volunteer Family of the Year Award 

    Diana and Glen Egley are committed volunteers at New Danville, a rural nonprofit community in Willis for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Diana is president of Legally Authorized Representative Alliance, an organization that sponsors activities and supports New Danville’s day program clients and residents, where Glen also often volunteers. The family is central to the annual Christmas Market at which clients get to shop for free gifts to give to their family and friends, and they are also key volunteers for theater productions performed by New Danville clients. The Egleys also volunteer for Love Fosters Hope, a nonprofit that serves children and teens in foster care who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned.

  • LGI Homes (Fort Bend, Harris & Montgomery Counties): Corporate Volunteering Champion Award

    LGI Homes has made a tremendous impact by planning, completing, and funding a $25,000 project for SIRE, a nonprofit that supports individuals with special needs through therapeutic horsemanship. More than 40 LGI Homes employees provided over 500 hours of volunteer labor for the organization, constructing 10 stalls and outfitting a building for saddles and equipment. In October 2022, LGI Homes also oversaw the completion of a new 4,500-square-foot education and visitors center, valued at $1.2 million, which provides classroom space for SIRE programs, meeting space for local organizations serving people with disabilities, and office space for SIRE staff. LGI Homes is also very involved with Habitat for Humanity in Montgomery County and has employees serving on the board of directors at both SIRE and Habitat for Humanity.

  • Midland High School Football (Midland): Innovation in Volunteerism Award

    The Midland High School Football program has developed a reputation of being the go-to for volunteers in Midland. Head Coach Thad Fortune has built the MHS football program to include intentional and service leadership-based volunteer programming. It starts with his “Path of the Bulldog” principles given to every football player and parent beginning in 7th grade through 12th grade, reaching more than 600 students. MHS Football players are led by Coach Thad in intentional and coordinated volunteer service, including summer trash pick-ups in partnership with Keep Midland Beautiful and “Books and Bulldogs” summer reading programs with the Midland YMCA. 

  • Unite & Inspire (Houston): Innovation in Volunteerism Award

    Unite & Inspire is a youth-led nonprofit with a mission to unite and inspire children, youth, and adults into giving back to their communities through volunteering and to share resources that cultivate their growth as responsible global citizens. Their volunteer projects include disaster relief campaigns, STEAM education, cause-related internships, services for children and seniors, and medical and health support of cancer patients, first responders, and military. During Winter Storm Uri, they provided 500 families with hot meals, essential supplies, and recovery care packages. 

  • Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group (Aransas, Bee, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio & San Patricio Counties): Excellence in Disaster Volunteerism Award

    Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group (CBDRG) is an established network of business, nonprofit, faith-based, private sector, and government organizations partnering to support long-term disaster recovery in 11 counties of the Coastal Bend. In response to Hurricane Harvey, CBDRG rebuilt 81 homes, replaced 79 manufactured homes, and completed 181 major repairs at a cost of $8.5 million. CDBRG provided disaster case management for 1,282 clients, with 450 of the clients fully recovered from the disaster. In Winter Storm Uri, they helped 133 clients restore basic water service that was lost due to freezing pipes. 

  • Texas Search and Rescue (Statewide): Excellence in Disaster Volunteerism Award

    Texas Search and Rescue (TEXSAR) is composed of volunteers who are dedicated Texans serving Texans with a spirit of “service above self” during times of emergency, loss, disaster, and pain. TEXSAR makes itself available as a resource to all 254 counties in the state when requested by local, state, or federal agencies. Though “search and rescue” is part of the organization’s name, TEXSAR has played particularly significant roles in disasters of various sorts, ranging from floods to fires to pandemics to winter storms. TEXSAR volunteers are valuable additions to the efforts of law enforcement, fire, and other agencies because of their spirit, dedication, training, empathy, professionalism, and preparedness—all of which adds up to excellence at times that Texans need it most. 

  • Samiksha Deme (Houston): National Service “Make a Difference” Award

    Samiksha Deme joined Sewa International’s Disaster Preparedness Group as an AmeriCorps Outreach Specialist. With her educational knowledge and skillset in environmental science, Sami is transforming critically needed disaster preparedness training for underserved and often marginalized communities. Sami’s preparedness trainings are centered on environmental justice, healthcare equity, and the crossroads between natural and human-made disasters. Sami also takes on volunteer projects outside her service responsibilities—from vaccine clinics to clothing drives for Afghan refugees to personal essentials for the homeless. 

For more information, visit onestarfoundation.org/governors-volunteer-awards.

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About OneStar

OneStar strengthens Texas communities by creating pathways for individuals and organizations to engage, connect and accelerate their impact. We advance service and volunteering as effective solutions to our state’s toughest social challenges. We are recognized as a statewide voice for the Texas nonprofit sector and a respected partner to foundations, state agencies and the business community. Born from state government in 1974, we carry out our mission with direction and guidance from the Office of the Texas Governor. Learn more at onestarfoundation.org.