WOODLANDS RESIDENT RECEIVES AWARD FROM DAR. Woodlands resident Dottie Wainwright received the Women in American History award from the Daughters of the American Revolution. Wainwright serves as state chairman and national vice chairman for the DAR Project Patriot committee. She has served as a chapter treasurer; Regent’s Council treasurer; chapter registrar; chapter regent of the Heritage Trails chapter; and current chapter registrar for the Heritage Trails chapter.

Wainwright’s dedication to helping the military serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, and her many trips to the Wounded Warrior Center in San Antonio to bring contributions from Project Patriot has earned her the respect of the military from around the world.

Because of her outstanding service through packages and contributions from the Heritage Trails chapter and her own individual contributions, Wainwright was awarded the Meritorious Public Service award and Medal from the United States Department of the Navy and United States Marine Corps (an award very rarely given to civilians); the Certificate of Commendation from the United States Marine Corps; and a Certificate of Appreciation from the 42nd Military Police Brigade-Task Force Bucca.

She has received several American flags that have flown over bases in Iraq, and she has touched the hearts of many soldiers serving this country because of her love for them.

When Wainwright and the DAR chapter were sending so many packages and monetary contributions to one unit in Iraq, they named the program “Operation Wainwright” in her honor. Wainwright affectionately calls the soldiers her “kids.”

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WOODFOREST’S MONSTER DASH SCARES UP $5,000 FOR FOOD BANK. Smurfs, zombies and many more braved the Woodforest Monster Dash to raise $5,000 for the Montgomery County Food Bank. In all, 431 people participated in the event, which dared racers to tackle several obstacles as they looped through the community toward the finish line. Just some of the obstacles racers faced included a Monster Mud Bath, Creepy Crawl, Tunnels of Terror and Booooot Camp.

“This far exceeded our expectations,” said Virgil Yoakum, general manager of Woodforest. “With this being our first year to do this, we had thought there would be about 250 racers. But this was phenomenal. People came out for a good time and to raise money for a great cause. We plan to do this again next year.”

Adding to the day’s fun were dozens of Conroe High School football players, cheerleaders and drill team members dressed in uniform with full zombie make-up, a costume contest, a pumpkin patch, a disc jockey and activity stations for the kids.

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY EMPLOYEES KICK OFF MCUW CAMPAIGN. Employees of Montgomery County kicked off its annual Montgomery County United Way campaign. The goal is to raise $70,000 to help “move people out of poverty… one family a time.” The county’s incentive contest has been replaced with a silent auction that offers a range of items for every taste and budget.

To arrange a corporate donation or employee campaign, contact Dale Gray at 281-292-4155, ext. 227, or email  dale@mcuw.org.

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COMMUNITY SENIORS HELPED BY INTERFAITH’S “SOS.” More than 400 community seniors received a helping hand when Interfaith of The Woodlands held its Serving Our Seniors (SOS) event, which orchestrated 379 youth, civic group and corporate volunteers to assist with various home projects.

The projects, at 27 senior homes and four apartment complexes, included yard work, painting, cleaning, gardening, crafts and light home repair for senior citizens living in South Montgomery and North Harris counties.

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SIRE RECEIVES DONATED IMPROVEMENTS TO HOCKLEY FACILITY. It’s the Vision of SIRE’s therapeutic equestrian centers to provide the highest quality therapeutic horseback riding and related activities to all who can benefit. This vision is being reinforced with the help of members from the Greater Houston Builders Association Remodelers Council. In October, the Hockley SIRE facility began receiving a major renovation of the education buildings that will allow them to expand their instructor education and training efforts.

“People from all across the United States and many other countries will be able to come to SIRE to be trained and certified as therapeutic riding instructors, taking their skill and knowledge home with them,” said Pat Roddy, SIRE managing director. “This allows SIRE to make an impact on the quality of life for people with disabilities far beyond our local community.”

The project was initiated by RMC member Warren Clark, marketing manager for BMC and a member of the GHBA board. The construction was led by Breck Powers with LBJ Construction, Leslie King with Greymark Construction, and John Gillette with Craftsmanship By John, as well as RMC members.

Improvements on the two buildings included new window installation, new floors, new paint interior/exterior, new ceiling tiles, new airconditioning and replacing the fluorescent lighting to LED lighting Many of the materials were donated or provided at cost by GHBA members. Dozens of volunteers were also on-hand to help in the effort.

“This remodeling will make an immediate and significant difference in achieving our mission and improving the quality of therapeutic experience for our riders and their parents and caregivers. With partners like the GHBA Remodelers Council, there is no limit to what we can achieve,” said Roddy.

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WOODLANDS RESIDENT ACCEPTS MEDAL OF HONOR FOR GRANDFATHER. Lyra Erlandson Allen, a former Woodlands resident and graduate of The Woodlands High School, was part of a delegation that accepted the Congressional Medal of Honor presented to Nisei (second generation Japanese Americans) veterans of World War II in the Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol. Allen accepted the medal as a representative of her grandfather, Sam Saburo Tomai, who was part of the 100th Infantry Battalion that was recognized for its dedicated service during the war.

Comprised almost entirely of persons of Japanese ancestry, these soldiers fought with uncommon bravery and valor in Europe and the Pacific, often leaving school and volunteering to go to war. In November 1944, this battalion, nicknamed “Go for Broke,” rescued the Texas “trapped battalion,” an effort that earned it a Presidential Unit Citation.

House Speaker John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, and members of Congress helped to honor the soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service and their families collectively for their dedicated service and accomplishments.

Awarded since the American Revolution, The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award in the United States and honors an individual, institution or event that has performed an outstanding deed or act of service to the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States.

Allen’s grandfather was a sergeant in B Company of the 100th Infantry, which served in Italy and France. Allen was one of 1,250 representatives who accepted the invitation from the U.S. Congress to attend this ceremony.

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MEMORIAL HERMANN IN THE PINK OF HEALTH LUNCHEON BREAKS ATTENDANCE, FUNDRAISING RECORDS. October’s sold out Memorial Hermann In the Pink of Health Luncheon, presented by CB&I, attracted more than 1,100 guests and netted more than $350,000, making it the most successful year to date in the event’s 11-year history. All of the proceeds will stay in Montgomery County and  be used to support local breast cancer patients and their families, as well as fund mammograms for underserved women.

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FIRST HARVEST AT INTERFAITH OF THE WOODLANDS’ VEGGIE VILLAGE. After two years of planning, volunteer and donated labor, and contributions from grants, civic groups and hundreds of residents,  Interfaith of The Woodlands’ new community donation garden is now coming to life in the form of fresh food for neighbors in need. In October, six pounds of Swiss chard were delivered to the Interfaith Food Pantry.

Veggie Village is located in the Alden Bridge Sports Park on College Park Drive. The primary goal is to produce fresh food, using organic and sustainable gardening practices, for the Interfaith Food Pantry. In addition, Veggie Village will provide a place where members of the community, including the elderly, disabled and children, can work together with this natural habitat and offer education in sustainable living, gardening, environment care, nutrition and cooking skills. Visit woodlandsinterfaith.org, to learn more.

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WOODFOREST CHARITABLE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS CHILDREN AND YOUTH. Woodforest Charitable Foundation donated $2,500 to the Tamina Community Center. The center provides critical resources to meet the growing need for children to have safe and productive activities during the hours outside the school day. It also provides Community Outreach Programs directed towards assisting families and individuals improve the quality of their lives. In addition, counseling services, needs assessments, and assistance are available when appropriate to strengthen family life.

 

STACY HARRIS SELECTED FOR FASHION SEGMENT. Woodlands resident Stacy Harris, owner of Stacy Harris Images, an image consulting and event planning enterprise, was selected by local TV channel ABC-13 to host a segment called “How to Dress Right for Your Body Type” for the program Deals with Kat Cosley. Harris was selected by ABC for the local and national segment to share tips on how women can better define the perfect style that complements their body type, and how to save money while doing so.

“I shop at Interfaith of The Woodlands Hand Me Up Shop to find those really cute fashions for a fraction of the price. Many of the fashions I find still have the original price tags on them and have never been worn,” Harris said. “We were able to put together some very flattering ensembles for three different models, and no outfit cost more than $25.”

Harris showed three models representing a particular body style. Harris explained the different body types and how to either create or camoflauge curves with different clothes.