Department of Neighborhoods
Press Release
MAYOR’S VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION CEREMONY CELEBRATES CONTRIBUTIONS OF VOLUNTEERS
29 Houston recipients of President’s Volunteer Service Awards honored, Volunteer Awards presented to 38 individuals and community partners
May 5, 2023 -- The Mayor’s Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony was held on May 5, 2023, at City Hall, presented by the Department of Neighborhoods (DON) in partnership with Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston (IMGH) and United Way of Greater Houston. The program featured a keynote address by the Mayor.
“Today we are here to say thank you to our community partners and volunteers for the significant contributions they have made to help our city tackle big challenges and make life better for their fellow Houstonians,” said The Mayor. “They support food banks, homeless shelters, literacy programs, services for senior citizens, youth mentoring, and so much more. Whether the calling for service is daily or in times of crisis, volunteers make a world of difference for people and communities throughout our city.”
The Mayor recognized 29 Houstonians bestowed the 2022 President’s Volunteer Service Award. Martin B. Cominsky, President & CEO of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston introduced the program’s special guests of honor.
Houston recipients of the 2022 President's Volunteer Award were honored at the Mayor's Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony held on May 5 at City Hall.
“The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes volunteers who are committed to a high level of volunteer service,” said Cominksy. “As a certifying organization, Interfaith Ministries’ Volunteer Houston is honored to recognize 29 volunteers who earned a bronze, silver, gold, or lifetime achievement award at this annual Mayor’s Volunteer Appreciation Award ceremony.”
The Mayor was joined by DON director TaKasha Francis for the presentation of the 2023 Volunteer Appreciation Award to 7 individuals, including the Next Generation Award in the youth category, and the Community Engagement Award to 12 community partners.
Six volunteers received the Mayor's Volunteer Appreciation Award in recognition of their work with DON to provide services for Houstonians.
Melanie Leon received the Next Generation Award in the youth volunteer category.
Twelve DON community partners received the Mayor's Community Engagement Award in recognition of their contribution of professional services and resources in support of DON programs.
“We are extremely grateful for the hard work and dedication of our community partners and volunteers,” said Francis. “Our Volunteer Initiatives Program regularly partners with nonprofits, faith-based organizations, schools, and universities to promote volunteerism. With their help, we have expanded our capacity to provide services to residents, including free legal workshops and preparation of wills, assistance with citizenship applications, neighborhood cleanup and beautification projects, and youth service-learning activities.”
Brooke Campbell, Interfaith Ministries’ Volunteer Houston Director, presented the Volunteer Houston Spotlight Award to 18 volunteers nominated by the nonprofit community.
Interfaith Ministries' Volunteer Houston presented the Spotlight Volunteer Award to 18 volunteers nominated by local nonprofits.
“With tens of thousands of nonprofits operating in the greater Houston area, Volunteer Houston strives to support their volunteer engagement efforts in many ways,” said Campbell. “This includes the Spotlight Volunteer Award, for which nonprofits are invited to select a single volunteer to recognize based on their own set of criteria. Volunteer Houston simply provides the space for volunteer recognition to occur!”
Andréa Shiloh, Interfaith Ministries Vice President of Volunteerism & Civic Service, and Ronnie Hagerty, United Way Assistant Vice President of Community Relations, presented the Houston Association of Volunteer Administrators Joan Waite Hanlon Memorial Award for Outstanding Professionalism in Volunteer Management.
Tarynn Brewer with the American Red Cross received the prestigious Houston Association of Volunteer Administrators Joan Waite Hanlon Memorial Award for outstanding professionalism in volunteer management.
“United Way of Greater Houston, in partnership with Volunteer Houston, collects nominations and selects a single recipient of the Joan Waite Hanlon Memorial Award,” said Hagerty. “This award is presented to a nonprofit professional, as opposed to a volunteer, for their ability to motivate and engage volunteers in various initiatives that result in positive change in our community.”
“We are proud to recognize the work of professionals who play a key role in the coordination of volunteers,” said Shiloh. “Their leadership is essential, not only for recruitment of volunteers for specific projects, but also for building a pool of dedicated volunteers we can call on when emergency needs arise.”
Award Recipients
For a Powerpoint presentation of the award recipients, click link:
2023 Mayor's Volunteer Awards Ceremony Honorees.
For more information about the Mayor’s Volunteer Appreciation Awards, contact DON’s Office of Neighborhood Engagement at 832-393-1061 or email paul.green@houstontx.gov.