This article is sponsored by Junior League of Collin County.

Since 2012, the Excellence in Volunteer Service Awards (EVSA) has been honoring local activists throughout Collin County. Originally, the program was part of the Volunteer Center of Plano, which became Volunteer Center of Collin County and eventually expanded throughout North Texas as they grew to match increased demand and an ever-growing local population.

With an influx of new responsibilities and service areas, they couldn’t continue their awards program and asked the Junior League of Collin County (JLCC) to carry on the tradition. The awards list has expanded to include an array of recognitions including the Nonprofit Professional of the Year and Community Business Partner of the Year awards.

Our mission is rooted in promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the leadership of trained volunteers. The Excellence in Volunteer Service Awards is an opportunity to celebrate and inspire volunteerism across North Texas. – Shannon Kmak, President of JLCC

Initiating Change and Inspiring Others

Over the years, award-winners and nominees have seen upward success and shared priceless inspirational stories with the Junior League and the local community. For example, past recipient Cheryl “Action” Jackson went on to convince Oprah to participate in Minnie’s Food Pantry, leading to a record-breaking fundraiser and esteemed speaking opportunity for Cheryl the following year.

In 2018, Tonya Winchester was honored as Volunteer of the Year for MADD/Mother’s Against Drunk Driving. She became a volunteer after becoming paralyzed in a drunk driving accident. You can read Tonya’s story here.

Other notable Collin County community honorees include Mayor LaRosiliere, Gerry Haggard, Ann Harris, Darrell Rodenbaugh and many more. Each winner has made significant contributions to the community and continues to inspire others in Collin County and beyond.

Inside the 2019 EVSA Luncheon

To celebrate and encourage volunteerism throughout the Collin County region, JLCC hosts the annual Excellence in Volunteer Service Awards to honor local volunteers and organizations who are changing our community for good. Shannon Kmak, President of JLCC, shared,

The Excellence in Volunteer Service Awards allows the Junior League of Collin County to bring awareness to volunteerism at a grassroots level by honoring individuals who work quietly behind the scenes to business partners who make significant community projects possible. It’s an honor to recognize those who are improving the lives of others in need and building an infrastructure of community support.

This year’s luncheon was held at Aristide in McKinney. Christal Howard of Community Impact served as the Master of Ceremonies, with Dr. John Siburt of CitySquare serving as the event’s keynote speaker. Special guests included McKinney Mayor Fuller and Congressman Van Taylor’s office who provided additional recognition to the honorees.

Sewell Audi of McKinney served as the title sponsor of the luncheon. Fellow sponsors include prominent local businesses including Market Street, The Shops at Willow Bend, Children’s Health, and Community Impact to name a few.

2019 Award Winners

Community Business Partner of the Year – SRS Distribution and SRS Raise the Roof Foundation

The Community Business Partner of the Year is awarded to a company that is committed to making their community a priority for their organization through partnerships with nonprofits and active employee volunteerism. The 2019 honoree is SRS Distribution and SRS Raise the Roof Foundationfor its support of countless homeless, military and disaster-affected families during critical times of need by partnering with organizations like The Samaritan Inn and CASA of Collin County through hands-on volunteering, donation drives, and fundraising.

Youth Volunteer of the Year – Chloe Frohock

The Youth Volunteer of the Year recognizes an outstanding student who makes a difference in Collin County and serves as an inspiration to their community through their volunteer and leadership activities. Honoree, Chloe Frohock has given over 2,500 hours of volunteer service in the past eight years to Heritage Farmstead Museum.

She’s helped with summer camps, special events, and children’s programs. Her community outreach has included visits to elementary schools, appearances on Good Morning Texas, as well as getting involved in local city government. She has devoted herself to changing the community by volunteering her time and creativity to the Museum, inspiring the staff to begin a Jr. FFA program in 2014.

Nonprofit Professional of the Year – Trisha Cunningham

New for 2019, the Nonprofit Professional of the Year recognizes a paid employee of a Collin County nonprofit organization who exhibits excellence in their leadership role and a passion for their organization’s mission. Honoree, Trisha Cunningham is CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, a $130 million organization focused on eradicating hunger in North Texas by providing families access to nutritious food.

Last year alone, the North Texas Food Bank provided access to nearly 72 million nutritious meals, distributed over 21 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables and hosted over 40,000 volunteers.

Nonprofit Organization of the Year – My Possibilities

The 2019 Nonprofit Organization of the Year honoree is My Possibilities,which serves over 650 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) every week. Their mission is to pursue the full, untapped possibilities of Hugely Important People, also known as HIPsters, and provide them with a path to inclusion and meaningful lives.

Their programs teach HIPsters how to live, work, and participate in their communities. As a pioneering leader in vocational education and job placement for adults with IDD, this agency’s programs are setting the standard for programs that move adults with IDD towards greater independence.

Collin County Volunteer of the Year – Trish Patterson

The Collin County Volunteer of the Year celebrates an individual whose extraordinary hands-on volunteer service at nonprofits strengthens the Collin County community. Trish Patterson is a driving force, empowering others through collaboration to work together and support a collective mission. She’s recognized for her recent contribution to The Source of Hope’s Holiday Feeding which served over 7,000 families in 2018.

Junior League of Collin County Spirit Award – QC Stone and The Source of Hope

Each year an individual or organization stands out among the nominees and is deserving of the Junior League of Collin County Spirit Award. An honor that recognizes a significant gift of leadership and stewardship to many over the years and represents a pillar of the volunteer community.

In 2009, this honoree, QC Stone founded a nonprofit organization, The Source of Hope, with a mission to empower low-income cosmetology students by providing assistance through educational programs, grants, and scholarships. The mission has evolved to include helping families in transition to become financially stable, independent households.

In addition, they provide a source of hope to the local community with free or reduced cosmetic services and various social outreach programs. Examples of services include custom wig creation for children receiving chemotherapy, free cosmetic treatments for adults to help them during their interview process, and serving hot meals to thousands on a monthly basis.

Learn More About JLCC

Junior League of Collin County (JLCC) an educational and charitable organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Since their inception 42 years ago, they’ve contributed over 750,000 volunteer hours to nonprofits serving the Collin County community.

You can find more information about JLCC here.