The Greater Houston Service Awards is an annual Spring luncheon that celebrates the power of volunteers to spark change and improve the Houston area through community service. This event promotes the value and important contribution of volunteering to the social, cultural, economic and environmental well-being of the Greater Houston area and pays tribute to those who inspire and promote the spirit of volunteerism through exemplary endeavors.
Whether it’s being a positive role model to kids, tutoring students in math, science or reading, creating a corporate volunteer network , or providing meals to the hungry, the Greater Houston Service Awards embrace the challenge of tackling the unmet needs of the Houston community through volunteer action.
Started in 1984, the Greater Houston Service Awards is how Volunteer Houston recognizes the volunteerswho improve our city each year. Volunteers who demonstrate exemplary leadership and action can be nominated for an award. After reviewing each nominee, the judging committee chooses finalists. From the finalists, winners are selected to receive the award for their truly outstanding year of service.
Nominations for the 2017 Greater Houston Service Awards will begin in January 2017.
Impact Award
This prestigious award celebrates the extraordinary and transformational achievements of an individual who has, each in his or her own various way, brought about lasting social change in the Houston area through his or her conviction, determination and generosity. This award celebrates an inspiring individual with the hope of motivating others to want to follow suit in public service, social enterprise and philanthropy.
2016 – Dr. Carolyn Farb
2015 – Neil Bush
2014 – Jim McIngvale
2016 Award Winners
Category | Winner | Organization |
|---|---|---|
Animal Related | Fiona Layfield | Houston Zoo |
Arts & Culture | Theresa Mallett | Society for the Performing Arts |
Basic Needs & Health | Laura Cowling | The Periwinkle Foundation |
Community, Civic, & Neighborhood Improvement | Loloy Reyes | Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce |
Disaster Preparedness & Relief | Louis Wu | American Red Cross |
Education | Jo Blackburn | Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Counsel |
Environment & Conservation | John Stacy | Bayou Land Conservancy |
Military & Veterans | Arnold Van Ek | American Red Cross |
Corporate Volunteer Program of the Year | Houston Astros | Sunshine Kids Foundation |
Philanthropic Volunteer of the Year | Marcus Luttrell | PX3 Foundation |
Lifetime Achievement | Bette Ann Stead | The Women’s Home |
2015 Award Winners
Category | Winner | Organization |
|---|---|---|
Animal Welfare | Connie Richards | Faithful Paws |
Arts & Recreation | Susan Snider Osterberg | Houston Symphony League |
Basic Needs | Tom Ashworth | Houston Food Bank |
Community & Civic Development | Elaine O’Gorman | Neighborhood Centers, Inc. |
Disaster Preparedness | Rachel Vieth | American Red Cross |
Education Services | Sandy Judson | Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council |
Environment | Ty Kelly | Bayou Preservation Association |
Military & Veterans | Kedrick Winfield | The Mission Continues |
International Services | Susan Hobson Mendoza | Elevare International |
Religious Organizations | Nora Katherine Twohy | St. Martha’s Catholic Church & Light the Path Foundation |
Youth Volunteer of the Year | Amy Ma | American Red Cross |
Volunteer Group of the Year | Ten Thousand Villages | |
Corporate Group of the Year | HEB, Kroger, & Randalls | Souper Bowl of Caring |
Philanthropic Volunteer of the Year | Jean Manning | The Monarch School |
Lifetime Achievement | Hank Moore | Neighborhood Centers, Inc. |