Sugar Plum Market Helps Hope For Three Advocate For Those With Autism

Since 2001, the Sugar Plum Market has raised over $2.4 million for numerous Fort Bend County nonprofit organizations. Previous grants have contributed to educational programs, food pantries, assistance for women and children, literacy programs, and many other charitable needs. The 18th Annual Market, presented by the Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) and Memorial Hermann, will focus this year’s “Oh, What Fun!” theme on the organizations that have benefited from these grants through the years.

One beneficiary is Hope For Three, an organization is an autism advocacy group that raises community awareness and provides resources and support, in the form of financial aid, to families with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Hope for Three was started by Eric and Hope Montgomery in 2011 after their triplet daughters, Londyn, Lakin and Lauren, were diagnosed with ASD and found themselves struggling to navigate through the insurance and red tape to get assistance for their family. ASD is a life-long condition with no medical cause or cure. In the United States, 1 out of 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls are diagnosed with autism and the lifetime cost to care for a person with autism is estimated at $2.4 million.

Carmelita Guerrero said, “Hope For Three has been a beacon of light for our family. I am grateful for an organization that accepts my children for themselves and does not see their disability but their ability. The organization provides many services such as respite, education, financial aid, sibling and parent respite and much more.”

The 2018 Sugar Plum Market will once again benefit several Fort Bend County charities. Doors will open at the Stafford Centre Performing Arts Theatre and Convention Center for a special Preview Night shopping event on Thursday, Nov. 1. General Market dates will be on Friday, Nov. 2, and Saturday, Nov. 3. Tickets may be purchased beginning Sept. 1.

Visit sugarplummarket.com or contact the co-chairs at [email protected] for more information about the market. For more information about Hope For Three, visit hopeforthree.org.

Missouri City Post 294 American Legion 100-Year Dedication

On Memorial Day, Missouri City Post 294 veterans raised the American flag, the Texas flag and the Legion flag at the dedication of a Centennial stone marker at American Legion Park on Lexington Avenue. While State Rep. Ron Reynolds and Congressman Al Greene were also present, it was the uniformed Post 294 Veterans who were truly visible reminders to all assembled of the sacrifice of service to one’s country.

“Remembering those fallen as well as all those who have and continue to serve our country is what Memorial Day is all about,” said Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen. The mayor applauded the Post’s efforts and remarked how this event was also kicking off the Missouri City Parks Foundation’s inaugural project to create a City Veterans Memorial.

John Hince, Department of Texas Commander, poignantly remembered a fallen comrade who had been a team and classmate. Dave Rehbein, past National Commander and Chairman of the 100th Annual Observance Committee spoke of how men and women in battle first protected their comrades in arms while defending the rights of their nation and of all the changes the Legion has witnessed in our military through the years. Rehbein also saluted the Legion’s legacy and vision which has served to make America stronger as a nation.

Celebrating 100 years in 2019, this year the Legion is kicking off its centennial with a continued focus on service to veterans, active service members and community. The Legion emerged from a group of World War I veterans, weary from battle, into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in our country. Today there are over 14,000 posts worldwide and a membership of 2.4 million which collectively has not only won hundreds of benefits for veterans but has also produced many important programs for our country’s youth.

Education Foundation Hosts Luncheon for New Volunteers

The Fort Bend Education Foundation’s (FBEF) Angels of Education Auxiliary hosted a recruitment luncheon for new volunteers on April 26 where guests learned about the Foundation’s programs and volunteer opportunities. Meritage Homes provided lunch at one of its model homes in Imperial. The Angels of Education Auxiliary supports the Foundation by providing volunteers and creating community awareness.

To become a volunteer with the Foundation, visit fortbendisd.com/foundation.

The Foundation’s mission is to enrich and enhance the quality of education for all Fort Bend ISD students through its grant programs. Programs include Grants for Teachers and Schools, Professional Development Grants and New Teacher Gifts.

March for Babies Raises $300,000 for March of Dimes

It was the best feel-good moment of the week on April 21 when approximately 3,000 Fort Bend County residents showed their support for the health of all moms and babies by participating in March for Babies to benefit March of Dimes. Constellation Field was packed with strollers, families, and business teams who raised more than $300,000 to help give every baby the best possible start.

Special guests at the event included March for Babies Co-chairs Don and Evelyn Janssen, Honorary Co-chairs James and Gay Thompson and Michele Anderson (employee of the 2018 March for Babies Signature sponsor Schlumberger), along with her husband Jeff Anderson and her two daughters, Sarah and Alissa Anderson. The walk was officially kicked off by Houston Public Media’s morning news anchor Eddie Robinson, Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmer­man and Mrs. Greater Katy Texas Shay Cooper, who joined walkers on the 5K as the Cody Wayne Band kept the energy high with great tunes.

Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information.

WCMC Awards Scholarships and Charitable Donations

The Woman’s Club of Missouri City (WCMC) celebrated its 62nd anniversary on May 2 during the final meeting of the 2017-18 year. President Nancy Thurmond welcomed members and guests to the meeting at First UMC in Missouri City where the organization awarded four scholarships and presented a donation to The Dew House.

Thurmond, scholarship chair, presented $1,000 Legacy Scholarships to one Ridge Point, one Hightower and two Dulles seniors. Receiving the scholarships were Shane Guico (Ridge Point), Chiamaka Nwosu (Hightower) and Julieann Cherukara (Dulles). Sherin Sabu of Dulles received The Jo Butterfield Scholarship. To date, WCMC has awarded $73,000 to Missouri City High school graduates. Assisting Thurmond in the presentations were Jean Shelledy and Mary Burger.

Diane Ware, special project manager and historian of the Fort Bend Museum Association, accepted the donation on behalf of the Dew House.

Dixon Eller was recognized as Woman of the Year and new officers were installed. Eller has been a member of WCMC for 11 years and brings cheer to club meetings with her humorous and inspirational stories from her hometown of Goliad. In addition, she was responsible for organizing the Stuff the Purse project which the club participated in to help a victim of Hurricane Harvey.

Charlotte Etgen inducted the following officers: President Jane Thompson, Vice President Valerie Langdon, Recording Secretary Jane Owen, Corresponding Secretary Jo Butterfield, Treasurer Karen Beck, Parliamentarian Nancy Thurmond and Historian Jean Shelledy.

WCMC will resume its meetings in September.

Lamar Educational Foundation Delivers Spring Grants

Spring brought a little extra green to three Lamar CISD schools. Foster and Lamar Consolidated high schools and Jackson Elementary are the first recipients of the Lamar Educational Awards (LEAF) Principal Grants. Each campus received roughly $10,000.

“The LEAF Board wanted to find a good way to give out a little more,” said Janice Knight, LEAF’s Executive Director. “We decided to go with three good-sized grants, instead of the many smaller ones we award in the fall.”

Knight said Teacher Grants will return in the fall, with Principal Grants already scheduled for 2019.

The Principal Grants went to Foster High School for additional laptop computers and “hot spots,” allowing more students to have the internet access needed to perform well in Advance Placement classes; and to Lamar Consolidated High School, for Kids Teaching Kids, which will allow students to tutor their peers in an after-school setting. The funds are paying for the transportation costs for students who stay late, staff who stay late to oversee the program and to convert part of the library into a more comfortable study setting. The third Principal Grant went to Jackson Elementary for STEMscopes. Jackson used a grant in the fall to purchase these hands-on science kits for the fifth grade. It was such a success, the additional kits will go to grades K-4.

Rotary Club of Richmond Awards Annual Scholarships

Richmond Rotary Club program recently awarded scholarships to six students – three from Lamar Consolidated High School and three from Foster High School. Each year, one of the most important projects Rotarians work on is raising funds to award college scholarships to area high school students.

Education is a core focus of Rotary International, as clubs worldwide have Interact Programs on high school campuses and Rotaract Programs for college students. These programs introduce young people to Rotary International’s motto of “Service Before Self” and the power of giving back to their communities.

FBJSL Names 2017-2018 Volunteers of the Year

The Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) and FBJSL Sustainers honored members for outstanding service during the 2017-2018 League year on May 1. Dana Clement was named the 2017-2018 Volunteer of the Year. A member of the League since 2011, Dana has been involved with Child Advocates of Fort Bend since she began volunteering with FBJSL. She has served as a dedicated Court Appointed Special Advocate for several years. Dana is also a former member of the FBJSL Board of Directors, having held the positions of director of technology, president elect, president, and past president. She exemplifies what it means to serve the community with a giving heart. Her commitment to Fort Bend County is evident in everything she does, and she is admired and well respected by her fellow League members.

In addition to recognizing the FBJSL Volunteer of the Year, the League would like to acknowledge several other special volunteers. The 2017-2018 Provisional of the Year is Pam Hubenak. Pam has volunteered countless hours and managed to touch and help almost every one of the League’s Core Placements this year. She has contributed her time and resources in various ways, and always with a smile on her face.

Pat Somers was awarded Sustainer of the Year for her service to the League and the Fort Bend County community. Pat has been a valuable member of the Sustainers since 2015. She enthusiastically volunteers monthly for Child Advocates of Fort Bend, and is also on the Host Committee for the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Sugar Land. Additionally, Pat gives of her time by serving with Parks Youth Ranch and her church.

FBJSL and FBJSL Sustainers work with women who embody the highest level of volunteerism and further the mission of the League. FBJSL is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, to developing the potential of women and to improving the Fort Bend County community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable as well as providing an atmosphere of friendliness, goodwill and camaraderie for all members. For more information, visit fbjsl.org.

 

 

Hope For Three Partners with Local Law Enforcement

Hope For Three Autism Advocates is generating awareness among law enforcement in Fort Bend County through the development of “Safe Return” and the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) programs. Daily, police officers encounter a multitude of individuals in emergency situations. Just as each emergency differs from the next, so does each person involved; especially with individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

A child diagnosed with autism is more likely to wander and is at risk with being stopped by police because of this behavior. Hope For Three and the Sugar Land Police Department (SLPD) saw a need to assist not only families and children living with autism, but other disabilities. As a result, the Safe Return program was implemented. When seconds count, the Safe Return registry allows first responders access to critical information designed to help safely reunite families of registered participants. Partici­pation in Safe Return is voluntary and free. However, an application must be submitted to SLPD annually. To register a loved one, visit hopeforthree.org/programs/safe-return.

The Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) program is a local initiative designed to improve the way law enforcement, and communities respond to people experiencing mental health crises. The CIT program educates first responders on engagement strategies and intervention techniques to diffuse crisis situations for individuals with autism and those affected by mental illness.

Hope For Three serves as the exclusive autism educator for the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department CIT program. For additional information, call 281-245-0640 or visit HopeForThree.org.

SSLW Donates 1,300 Books to Stafford Municipal School District Preschoolers

Suburban Sugar Land Women (SSLW) and its Phenomenal Partners made the inaugural Stafford Municipal School District Preschool Book Drive a success. The group’s original goal was to donate 500 books, and the drive generated almost three times that amount.

More than 1,300 new and gently-used children’s books in English and Spanish for ages 3 to 5 years were given to preschoolers to take home. Stafford Elementary School Principal Dr. Valerie Orum and staff were most grateful for the donations. Mose and Mable Austin, SSLW members, collected books from donors in Fort Bend, Harris, Brazoria, Montgomery and Austin counties. “It was truly a labor of love to meet donors and receive books,” said Mable. “Our children are our future. Each preschooler received at least two books to take home.”

This project was successful due to the generosity of the following donors: author Kiki Ferguson, Sue Leffall, Fort Bend/Harris County retired educators, Tomika R. Lewis, Windsor Village Church, Mose and Mable Austin, Freddie and Brenda Williams, Brenda Lemmie, Kimberly Johnson, Winston and Marie Williams, Stephanie Collins, Linda Webb Stephens, Ann Marie Rennalls, Art Pertile, Eron Wahid, Gwen Goodwin, Joel and Elise Harmon, A Concerned Citizens Group (ACCG), SSLW and its partners and anonymous donors.

SSLW offers appreciation to Tomika R. Lewis, program chair, for her exemplary leadership and commitment to make a difference in the lives of children.

 

Historic Courthouse Rotunda Hosts Local Artwork Exhibit

In support of Historical Preservation Month, an observance held in May to promote historic preservation, the Fort Bend County Historic Courthouse Rotunda is currently hosting an exhibit featuring artwork from contests held in Fort Bend County.

The Fort Bend County Preserved fine arts entries depict local sites throughout Fort Bend County via painting and drawing mediums. The Rosenberg Architectural Appreciation photography entries feature various architectural subjects artistically captured with a camera lens.

The purpose of the contests was to draw public attention to the importance of preserving and protecting our community’s history and architectural assets by restoring our older buildings. Sue Syvertson, with the Art League of Fort Bend, and Dan Kelleher, Main Street Manager with the City of Rosenberg, coordinated the contests and installed the exhibit. The contests were co-sponsored by the Fort Bend County Historical Commission, the Art League of Fort Bend, BAC Photography and Design and the Rosenberg Main Street Program. The exhibit is open to the public and will run through June 29.

Fort Bend Aggie Moms’ Club Announces Raffle Winners

The Fort Bend Aggie Moms’ Club announced its annual raffle winners on April 14 during the Family Weekend at the Texas A&M University College Station campus. The raffle raises funds to provide scholarships to deserving Fort Bend students attending Texas A&M University – College Station or Galveston campuses – and Texas A&M-Blinn TEAM students.

This year’s grand prize winner of a trip for two to Hawaii, The Big Island, for six days and five nights at the Fairmont Orchid, was Marta Gossaye from Houston. Her winning ticket was purchased during the Parents Weekend in College Station.

The winner of the first prize package – a Sterling McCall Lexus Loaner Weekend – was Mark Lincecum of Sugar Land. The winner of the second prize package – a Charles Garnier Sterling Silver Diamond pave bracelet from Loggins Jewelers – was Valli Ribbeck of Richmond. The winner of the third prize package – a weekend getaway to Galveston donated by Diana and Randall Miller – was Donna Hunter of The Woodlands. And the winner of the fourth prize package – a COTA branded package donated by Suzette Peoples – was Pam McGaffin of Cypress.

The group expressed congratulations to the winners and gratitude to all who purchased tickets to support the scholarships for Fort Bend Aggie students. The event had a record-breaking year selling 773 tickets at $20 per ticket.

Visit FortBendMoms.AggieNetwork.com if you are an Aggie mom to become a member of the club.