The Woodlands, TX - Interfaith of The Woodlands is excited to announce the 2010 Service of Excellence Award recipients. Being honored at Interfaith’s Five Who Share Luncheon for their significant contribution in making a difference and commitment to our community through their volunteerism are: Bob and Pat Huck- Seniors; Maury and Sue Lupini- Health; Pat and Guy Klingensmith- Health; Joe McKinney- Fine Arts; Jack Stibbs- Youth; and Alan Struble- Education.
Bob and Pat Huck, the Service of Excellence Award recipients for Seniors, have both served this community as volunteers in the areas of Health and Wellness for many years, and have helped to enrich the lives of senior citizens by their commitment to serve others. The Hucks are dedicated members of The Woodlands Memorial Hermann Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary, volunteering weekly and have accumulated over 6,000 hours. They also volunteer at the South County Community Clinic, and as members of The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church, are often the first to visit a fellow member who is hospitalized. They provide encouragement and counsel particularly to older members of the church who are struggling with health issues or limitations. In addition, Bob also teaches AARP Driver’s Education classes to seniors and donates blood regularly. According to Tricia MacDonald, “They service their community willingly and lovingly, never wanting to draw attention to themselves, but always caring for and enriching the lives of others.”
Maury and Sue Lupini, the first Service of Excellence Award recipients for Health, have shown enormous passion and compassion for the healthcare industry. Their humility for this profession was evident throughout the many letters supporting their nomination. The Lupinis have volunteered countless hours in the waiting area of the Intensive Care Unit at the St. Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital. Patrick Laird, Director of Critical Care Services at St. Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital, shared, “Their devotion and selflessness is extraordinary. Each day that they are here they truly make a difference in the lives of our patients and staff.” Knowing that the staff is extremely busy on holidays, the Lupinis often take time away from their own family to volunteer at the hospital. It is not uncommon to see the Lupinis at the hospital on Christmas morning bringing homemade snacks to the staff.
Pat and Guy Klingensmith, the second Service of Excellence Award recipients for Health, are dedicated and loyal members of Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Volunteer Auxiliary. As a couple, they have volunteered at the hospital for more than 10 years and have dedicated over 8,770 hours to a variety of volunteer tasks and roles. For a number of years, Pat has served as shift chair on Monday mornings and is often found holding the hand of anxious patients in the Breast and Bone Center on different days of the week. Guy began volunteering in the Endoscopy Center but has followed his passion in ministry. He serves on the Ministry team providing spiritual support to patients pre and post procedures and has been the official ‘substitute’ for the hospital chaplain when needed. He has served as Auxiliary President, is a member of the Auxiliary Board of Trustees, and is a member of the Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Partners in Caring team. The Klingensmiths have also participated in activities sponsored by the Texas Association of Healthcare Volunteers, the American Heart Association and American Diabetic Association. “Pat and Guy are truly a special couple who give unselfishly to others throughout the year through their volunteer activities,” said Susan Shelander and Linda Nelson, staff at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital.
Joe McKinney, the Fine Arts recipient, has a contagious enthusiasm for his love of the arts. In addition to currently serving as Minister of Creative Arts at StoneBridge Church, McKinney’s leadership has been instrumental in promoting music and the arts. With his guidance, he helped to create the “Easter at the Pavilion Celebration”, The Woodlands Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony Chorus. He also served as Director of the Woodlands Symphony Chorus for the first nine years, was the Director of “Songs of The Woodlands” celebrating the 25th Anniversary of The Woodlands, Co-Director of “The Woodlands Remembers” commemorating the 1st Anniversary of September 11th at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and Co-Music Director for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration for 19 years. McKinney has been an avid supporter of Class Act Productions and volunteers his time to judge numerous clinics/UIL/school and church competition. Each year, he is also a voice teacher to over 60 students. Pastor of StoneBridge Steve Bradley shared, “Joe and his family have been a prominent fixture in The Woodlands promoting music and the arts for many years.”
Interfaith also congratulates Jack Stibbs, the Service of Excellence Award recipient for Youth. Over the years, Stibbs has devoted his time to helping others, enriching the lives of countless young people and helping to fund finding a cure for his daughter who was diagnosed with the rare and often deadly disease Pulmonary Hypertension. Through his leadership, he has hosted numerous fundraisers to raise money for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association to help find a cure so no one else, especially children will have to deal with such a horrible disease. Stibbs daughter Emily expressed, “My father has sacrificed so much… and is truly a man of compassion and perseverance.” In addition, Stibbs has assisted and provided fundraising knowledge and support for several other fundraising events benefiting children and youth including the Rett Syndrome Stroll-a-Thon and the B-SIMP Golf Tournament. He also is an original board member of K-Life of The Woodlands Christian Youth Ministry and is currently involved with planning a Dodge Ball Tournament for children and youth. Stubbs was also involved in the South Montgomery County YMCA Partners for Youth Program and has served on many community boards.
Alan Struble, Service of Excellence recipient for Education, has been a longtime volunteer in local schools. According to Gregg Colschen, Principal of The Woodlands High School (TWHS), “Alan has made a commitment to TWHS like no other parent before in the amount of time he devotes to our school.” Struble volunteers regularly at THWS performing a variety of tasks. On Monday he could be found in the Attendance office assisting the staff with paperwork and filing. On Tuesday he could be in the bookroom helping distribute books to 2,800 students and in the Assistant Principals’/Counselors’ office on Wednesday filling in for the secretary who is out sick. On Thursday, he could be in the copy room running copies for the teachers. And on Friday, you could find Struble at the Help Desk checking in parents for the pep rally and then attending extracurricular activities supporting the students that evening. His ability and willingness to take on challenges is very evident and effective. As an officer for TWHS Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for three years and serving as president for two of those years, Struble does all the things that goes above and beyond the scope of a regular volunteer and helps out wherever needed. He has also shown his dedication at Galatas Elementary, Mitchell Intermediate and McCullough Junior High School.
The recipients will be awarded the Service of Excellence Award during the annual Interfaith Spring Luncheon held on Friday, March 5 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Woodlands Resort and Conference Center. Proceeds from the tickets and raffle will benefit and help to support Interfaith’s Programs and Services.
The Circle of Honor sponsors for the event are Anadarko, Friends of Interfaith, St. Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital and W.S. Bellows Construction Corporation. Many other individuals, businesses and organizations are also generously sponsoring the event.
“The generosity of the community is always commendable, and we personally thank each individual, business and corporation for their ongoing support,” said Dr. Ann Snyder, President and CEO of Interfaith of The Woodlands.
Debra Sukin, St. Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital & St. Luke’s Lakeside Hospital CEO, will serve as the Honorary Chair of this year’s “health-themed” event, and Nelda Blair will serve as the Emcee.
For additional information or to purchase tickets, please contact Interfaith Kathy Beisenherz at 832-615-8230 or kbeisenherz@woodlandsinterfaith.org.
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