OneStar’s Post

What an amazing evening celebrating exemplary volunteers at the 40th Annual Governor's Volunteer Awards! This #GlobalVolunteerMonth, we were honored to recognize so many dedicated individuals & organizations giving their time and talent to make Texas communities stronger. Their diverse stories and creative approaches to addressing pressing community needs set an inspiring example of how each of us have the power to make a difference. Thank you to Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott for upholding this incredible 40 year legacy of recognizing the power of volunteer service! We extend our congrats to all of this year's extraordinary award winners – your passion and commitment have truly made a lasting impact. Here's to all the volunteers out there – YOU are the heart and soul of Texas! ❤️ View photos from the ceremony 📷 flic.kr/s/aHBqjBmZ5Z

Do you have a knack for crafting engaging stories and thoughtful messaging, developing sustainable processes, and inspiring others to action? Join our team as a OneStar AmeriCorps VISTA! We are looking for a dynamic VISTA member to develop communications strategies and infrastructure that deepen community engagement and build nonprofit capacity in Texas. Apply now ➡️ https://ow.ly/YjMg50RiiSj

A genuine heart for serving others can be identified by those who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteering. This #GlobalVolunteerMonth, we are proud to honor Ann Hammond with the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award in this year’s Governor’s Volunteer Awards. #GlobalVolunteerMonth Ann 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, Inc., 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. 🏆 Meet this year's awardees at https://lnkd.in/daSGY_D

The work of a volunteer is never done. In the Governor’s Volunteer Awards, we recognize those who have exhibited an enduring lifestyle centered around giving back with time and talents through the Governor's Lifetime Achievement Award. #GlobalVolunteerMonth 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 KENTON PATE MINISTRIES 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. 🏆 Meet this year's awardees at https://lnkd.in/daSGY_D

We are honored to posthumously recognize Wayne Rhoden as a Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in this year’s Governor’s Volunteer Awards. Wayne’s selfless service reflected his values and conviction for caring for the environment and is a hallmark of a life lived generously and passionately. #GlobalVolunteerMonth Wayne 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. 🏆 Meet this year's awardees at https://lnkd.in/daSGY_D

Join the #GoodDeedsDay movement on April 14 that unites people from around the globe in #DoingGood for the benefit of others! You can find ways to take action right here in Texas communities by visiting VolunteerTX.org and finding opportunities to serve with local nonprofits.

You might say that Riz has some charisma! As the First Lady’s Youth Rising Star in the 40th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards, Rizwan Khan proves that youth can take the lead and serve as powerful inspiration for fellow Texans to serve. #GlobalVolunteerMonth Throughout high school, Riz 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, Riz 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, Riz 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. 🏆 Meet this year's awardees at https://lnkd.in/daSGY_D

We look to younger generations to inject fresh inspiration, innovation and hope into our communities. This #GlobalVolunteerMonth, we are proud to feature the extraordinary service of Rahul Vijayan, First Lady’s Youth Rising Star in the 40th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards! In his sophomore year of high school, Rahul 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. 🏆 Meet this year's awardees at https://lnkd.in/daSGY_D

In honor of #GlobalVolunteerMonth, we're recognizing the extraordinary contributions of Texans like Jana Anderson, who was named a Volunteer of the Year in the 40th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards. Jana, 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. 🏆 Meet this year's awardees at https://lnkd.in/daSGY_D

This #GlobalVolunteerMonth, we are spotlighting individuals who have gone the extra mile in serving the community by demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication to addressing local challenges while inspiring others to serve. Joan Ulsher, recognized as a Volunteer of the Year in the 40th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards, 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 San Antonio (CASA), 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. 🏆 Meet this year's awardees at https://lnkd.in/daSGY_D