THE WOODLANDS, TX – (JUNE, 11, 2008) – Karen Hoylman, President and CEO of The South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce, has been named Honorary Chair of The Woodlands 2008 Celebration of Excellence gala, benefiting Interfaith of The Woodlands, according to Dr. Ann Snyder, Executive Director of the non-profit organization. “We are truly honored and appreciative of Ms. Hoylman’s time and commitment to this wonderful event,” shared Snyder.

Karen Hoylman, President and CEO of The South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce, has been named Honorary Chair of The Woodlands 2008 Celebration of Excellence gala honoring the Hometown Heroes.

The 2008 Hometown Heroes, comprised of residents and businesses or institutions that serve as outstanding role models for volunteerism and dedication to The Woodlands community, will be inducted into the Hometown Heroes Hall of Fame at the gala, scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 2008 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. Since this annual tradition began in conjunction with The Woodlands 25th Anniversary Celebration in 1999, 71 individuals and five businesses, including The South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce, have been selected to receive this prestigious award.

Nomination forms for the 2008 Hometown Heroes will be available in The Villager newspaper; at The Woodlands Homefinder Center, located at 2000 Woodlands Parkway; Interfaith of The Woodlands, located at 4242 Woodrush Drive; or online at www.thewoodlands.net beginning June 26, 2008. The deadline for the nomination is Friday, August 15, 2008.  

Along with the honorary chair, several community members are joining together with Interfaith of The Woodlands to plan the gala. “Interfaith of The Woodlands is fortunate to have such an amazing group of individuals from the community helping us plan for this wonderful celebration,” stated Snyder.  “We are extremely excited about this year’s event.”

For more information about the Gala or gala sponsorships, contact Mary Jo O’Neal, Interfaith’s Development Manager, at mjoneal@woodlandsinterfaith.org or call 281.615.8221.

The Woodlands is a 28,000-acre master-planned community being developed by The Woodlands Development Company, a limited partnership of Morgan Stanley and General Growth Properties, Inc.

Media Contacts:
Lorrie Parise, The Woodlands Development Company – 281-719-6344
Ginny Berry, Interfaith of The Woodlands - 832-615-8248