100 Years of Community Volunteers

As United Way of Mid & South Jefferson County celebrates 100 years of serving our community, we are honoring 100 outstanding volunteers whose dedication has made a difference in the lives of others.

These individuals have been nominated by community members, organizations, and partners in recognition of their service, leadership, and commitment to helping our region thrive. Their efforts reflect the spirit of volunteerism that has strengthened our community throughout the past century.

This page serves as a tribute to the volunteers who give their time, talents, and hearts to make Mid & South Jefferson County a better place for all. We are proud to celebrate their impact and thank them for being part of our community's story.

Together, we honor 100 years of service by recognizing the people who continue to make a difference every day.


Kimberly West

Chevron Phillips Chemical

Kimberly West generously shares her time and expertise to support education, community development, and families in need. Through her involvement with Women in Industry Week, Port Arthur ISD events, the Chevron Phillips Charity Golf Tournament, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and United Way Day of Caring, she makes a meaningful impact across the community. Her passion for service, positive attitude, and commitment to helping others make her a deserving member of United Way MSJC’s 100 Volunteers of Impact.


Morrell Lewis

Chevron Phillips Chemical

Morrell has dedicated countless volunteer hours to strengthening the Port Arthur community through his support of Port Arthur ISD programs, the Museum of the Gulf Coast, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the Chevron Phillips Charity Golf Tournament benefiting Buckner, and United Way Day of Caring. His willingness to serve, strong work ethic, and passion for helping others make a lasting impact. Morrell’s commitment to his community makes him a deserving member of United Way MSJC’s 100 Volunteers of Impact.


Aprile Danford

Chevron Phillips Chemical

Aprile has dedicated more than 100 volunteer hours to supporting her community through organizations and events such as Sleep in Heavenly Peace, United Way Day of Caring, community clean-ups, the Hospitality Center, the Salvation Army, and the Chevron Phillips Charity Golf Tournament benefiting Buckner. Known for her positive attitude and willingness to encourage others to serve alongside her, Aprile makes a meaningful impact wherever she volunteers. Her dedication and passion for helping others make her a deserving member of United Way MSJC’s 100 Volunteers of Impact.


Barbara Lewis

Stable Spirit

Barbara is a dedicated volunteer who can always be counted on to step up wherever help is needed. She plays an important role in Hippotherapy Day, ensuring the horses are prepared and ready for sessions while providing exceptional support to both clients and staff. In addition to her regular volunteer work, Barbara generously assists with events and fundraisers, consistently going above and beyond with a positive attitude and strong work ethic. Her reliability, commitment, and passion for serving others make her a deserving member of United Way MSJC’s 100 Volunteers of Impact.


Bryan & Connie Cook

Stable-Spirit

I can count on Bryan to help with getting hay out or on Hippo Therapy day. He comes as often as he can. Hard worker.

Connie is always there when we need her. She comes on Hippo Therapy day almost every Wednesday. Also, make donations.


Margot Fischer

Stable-Spirit

She is always there when we need her. She helps with Hippo Therapy almost every Wednesday, and she is on the Board for Stable-Spirit. We can always count on her


Mary Jane Benning

Stable-Spirit

She is always there for us if we need her for sessions or to help us with Hippotherapy. She really deserves it.


Walter Simmons

Nutrition and Services for Seniors

At 84 years young, Walter is a shining example of service and dedication. He delivers meals three days each week, regularly handling two routes on one of those days. Walter is also one of our most dependable substitute volunteers, always ready to help ensure seniors receive the meals they depend on.


Michael Bowser

Catholic Charities

Michael Bowser has faithfully volunteered at the Catholic Charities Hospitality Center for nearly 15 years and is a familiar face known and appreciated by all. Whether cooking meals—especially his famous fried chicken—or helping wherever needed, Michael’s dedication, dependability, and willingness to serve have made a lasting impact on countless guests. His loyalty, strong work ethic, and commitment to helping others exemplify the true spirit of volunteerism, making him a deserving member of United Way MSJC’s 100 Volunteers of Impact.


Rickie Clabon

Catholic Charities

Rickie Clabon has dedicated more than 10 years of service to the Catholic Charities Hospitality Center, inspiring those around him with his positive attitude, resilience, and commitment to helping others. Whether cooking, cleaning, or lifting spirits with his sense of humor and beautiful singing voice, Rickie brings joy to everyone he meets. Despite facing health challenges, he remained determined to serve and returned to volunteering as soon as he was able. His dedication, compassion, and unwavering willingness to help make him a deserving member of United Way MSJC’s 100 Volunteers of Impact.


Nolan Leblanc

Southeast Texas Hospice
Nolan LeBlanc is the president of the Board of Directors of the Southeast Texas Hospice. But he is so much more than that. He attends meetings, presents United Way budget presentations in Orange, plays his guitar at the toilet paper tea, signs many many documents for hospice, and is always available to the staff. He comes with a smile and his own unique personality. His commitment to hospice is 100%. He is what volunteering is all about. You need him, he is there. No questions asked. He is the best.


Liz Nash

Southeast Texas Hospice

Liz Nash is a dedicated volunteer and advocate for Southeast Texas Hospice, providing comfort and support to families during difficult times. From making bereavement calls and co-leading support groups to volunteering at health fairs, memorial services, and special events, Liz is always willing to help wherever needed. Her compassion, commitment, and positive spirit make a meaningful impact on patients, families, and fellow volunteers. Liz’s unwavering dedication makes her a deserving member of United Way MSJC’s 100 Volunteers of Impact.


Kayla White

South East Nonprofit Development Center

Kayla has dedicated more than 15 years to nonprofit service, consistently working to support individuals and families and strengthen her community. She has helped connect people with essential resources, advocated for underserved populations, and built strong partnerships that improve access and engagement.

Known for her compassion, leadership, and integrity, Kayla goes beyond her daily work by building relationships, mentoring others, and inspiring those around her to serve. Her long-term dedication and lasting impact make her a deserving member of United Way MSJC’s 100 Volunteers of Impact.


James Slough

Family Services of Southeast Texas Inc.

Jim has been a steady and dependable presence at the shelter since the beginning of his wife’s work with Family Services. With a lifelong commitment to service through his military background and private sector experience, he consistently steps in wherever help is needed without hesitation.

Over the past year, Jim has supported countless projects including moving furniture, loading supplies, assisting with the shelter transition, and helping in the kitchen when extra hands were needed. His reliability, humility, and willingness to serve have made a meaningful difference during a challenging time of growth and change. Jim’s dedication and servant heart make him a deserving member of United Way MSJC’s 100 Volunteers of Impact.


Patrick Anderson

Southeast Texas Stages

Not only does Patrick serve as a director on the board, but every Christmas he puts hours into lobby decorations for the holidays, volunteers for set design, raises money for small projects (like updating a awning), and is always ready with a truck and a joke if we need anything.


Sean Mcbride

KFDM

Sean is a long time volunteer who works on sets most Saturdays - around 45 each year! His knowledge of construction and positive attitude keeps the crew going every week


Samantha Hatcher

Southeast Texas Stages

Samantha was instrumental in making sure that out KIDmunity (our summer children’s program) ran smoothly as an unpaid intern and costume designer for the middle school program. She created costumes for each child, collaborated with a new group of people, and went above and beyond expectations.


Lionyelle Malveaux

Southeast Texas Stages
Lionyelle is a stand up volunteer at Southeast Texas Stages. Some of our roles for volunteers are tough - they demand a lot of time, patience, and dealing with people, but Lionyelle is always up for any challenge. She fills in roles that we need often and is always a positive and bright presence in whatever role she inhabits. She's very organized, kind, and enforces policy firmly but politely. She is such an asset to the overall atmosphere and we are so happy to have her.


Rev Nina Stelly, Ph. D.

Girl Scouting

Rev. Stelly has dedicated her life to serving children and youth in the community through both church and civic involvement. She began at age 17 as a Sunday School teacher at Rock Island Church, later serving as a youth Bible study leader, children’s choir director, Vacation Bible School leader, and Girl Scout troop leader, where she organized and coordinated multiple troops. She has also been active with the NAACP Youth Chapter and the Dr. Martin Luther King Support Group of Southeast Texas Youth.

For 25 years, she has served as Dean of Student and Academic Affairs for the Eastern Progressive Missionary Baptist District Association, beginning her work teaching children ages 3–5. Her lifelong commitment to education, leadership, and youth development is reflected in her academic achievements, including degrees in Child Development, Theology, and Divinity, as well as a Ph.D. in Advanced Church Leadership. Her decades of service and dedication make her a deserving member of United Way MSJC’s 100 Volunteers of Impact.


Dolly Dack

Southeast Texas Food Bank

Mrs. Dolly Dack has been a dedicated and faithful volunteer with the Southeast Texas Food Bank for the past eight and a half years, contributing over 685 hours of service. In addition to her work with the food bank, she also volunteers with RSVP and Veterans Affairs, consistently ensuring that veterans are recognized and appreciated for their service.

Known for her creativity and kindness, Dolly often shares handmade cards and small gift boxes filled with treats to brighten others’ days. Her compassion, generosity, and steady commitment to serving others make her a deserving member of United Way MSJC’s 100 Volunteers of Impact.


Patt and Gary Slott

Samaritan Counseling and Wellness Center

Pat and Gary Slott are lifelong volunteers whose dedication to serving others has spanned decades. From raising their children while actively supporting PTA, church ministries, CCD instruction, Vacation Bible School, and youth sports coaching, they have consistently built their lives around helping others.

Pat serves faithfully in her church through choir, Altar Society, bereavement ministry, and counting donations, and also serves on the Rainbow Room board in Mid County, supporting children and families in crisis. Gary dedicated over 17 years as a Meals on Wheels driver, delivering meals and companionship to seniors, and continues to bring kindness to others through visits and small acts of care.

Together, Pat and Gary embody compassion, generosity, and a lifelong commitment to service. Their steady impact on families, children, and seniors throughout Mid County makes them deserving members of United Way MSJC’s 100 Volunteers of Impact.


David Lemaire

Southeast Texas Hospice

David Lemaire lives in Nederland and serves on the Hospice Board of Directors. He has helped the agency with fundraisers, board meetings, and speaking engagements. His dedication as a United way volunteer for the United Way of mid and south Jefferson County was demonstrated through his years as a loan executive during campaign season in years past. Additionally, when his family members were in need of hospice help, he utilized our services. His talent and dedication are endless. He will even cook meals for the board meetings.


Clara Velasco

Nutrition and Services for Seniors

Clara Velasco has been serving since Jan 1, 1990, and has continued to deliver meals even after the Port Arthur Health Department stopped group deliveries many years ago. Her long-standing commitment and willingness to continue independently show her deep dedication to the seniors she serves.


Sue Philp

Nutrition and Services for Seniors

Sue Philp has been volunteering since 2001, delivering meals once a week. Her steady and dependable service has made a lasting impact over the years.


Karen Duplechain

Nutrition and Services for Seniors

Karen Duplechain delivers meals three days a week with unwavering consistency. She is also always willing to step in when needed, demonstrating her reliability and genuine heart for service.


Gurrnett & Joseph Carrier

Nutrition and Services for Seniors

Gurrnett and Joseph Carrier faithfully deliver two routes each week and regularly step in as substitutes. Their teamwork and shared commitment make a meaningful impact on the seniors they serve.


Richard Tomayo

Nutrition and Services for Seniors

Richard Tomayo has been serving since 2008, delivering large meal routes twice a week.   He promotes fundraising to his contacts and helps on those fundraising days, whether lifting heavy coolers or assembling meal boxes, he's always there and brings the rest of the group breakfast.  His dedication and consistent support in every aspect of our program, and his willingness to take on demanding routes, highlight his strong commitment to the program.


Cheryl Campbell

Nutrition and Services for Seniors

Cheryl Campbell has been delivering meals five days a week since 2015 within her own apartment complex. Her daily dedication and care for her neighbors make her an exceptional and compassionate volunteer.


Polly Frank

Nutrition and Services for Seniors

Polly Frank has been volunteering since 2012, faithfully delivering meals twice a week. Her steady commitment reflects her reliability and compassion for those she serves.


Roland Lewis

Nutrition and Services for Seniors

Roland Lewis has been serving since 2000, delivering meals weekly without fail. His decades of dedication demonstrate a remarkable commitment to supporting seniors in his community.


Mike Raney

Nutrition and Services for Seniors

Mike Raney, who began volunteering in 2023, takes on three routes each week. His willingness to jump in wholeheartedly makes him a standout newer volunteer.


Patricia Alt

Nutrition and Services for Seniors

Patricia Alt delivers two different routes each week during her lunch breaks, making time to serve despite a busy schedule. She is also always willing to substitute, showing her generosity and flexibility.


Larry Bassett

Nutrition and Services for Seniors

Larry Bassett has been delivering meals weekly since 2003. His long-term dedication and consistency make him a dependable and valued member of the volunteer team.


Don & Mary Nixon

Nutrition and Services for Seniors

The Late Donald and Mary Nixon have faithfully delivered two routes each week since 2009. In addition to Mary's service delivering meals, Mary also serves on the board and has always helped in group settings, whether picking and packing blueberries, assembling meal boxes, or assembling potato meals for fundraising, demonstrating their deep commitment to the organization.


Clarence Piper

Nutrition and Services for Seniors

Clarence Piper delivers two routes per day, twice a week, showing incredible dedication and stamina. His consistent service ensures many seniors receive the meals they depend on.


Paula Garcia

Nutrition and Services for Seniors

Paula Garcia has been delivering two routes each week since 2001. Her faithfulness and long-standing service reflect her strong commitment to helping others.

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