WCF donates over $280K to local and Texas charities

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The Woodforest Charitable Foundation has supported 41 Texas charities through donations exceeding $280,000 in 2011. Of that amount, $221,000 was presented to Montgomery County and Houston charities.

The Foundation supports a variety of charities which include food bank’s privately funded children’s feeding programs, shelters for abused women & children, programs & shelters for the homeless, programs for at-risk youth & teens, child advocacy groups, programs for the mentally and physically challenged, community clinics and programs for seriously or terminally ill children.

During a recent Woodforest National Bank’s manager’s meeting held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, donations were presented to several of the Texas charities. Among those were:

- Boys and Girls Country ($20,000)
- Capital Area Food Bank ($3,750)
- Children’s Miracle Network ($10,000)
- Children’s Safe Harbor ($5,000)
- East Texas Food Bank ($10,500)
- Houston Food Bank ($25,000)
- Montgomery County Food Bank ($10,000)
- Montgomery County Youth Services ($6,500)
- New Danville ($11,500)
- North Texas Food Bank ($15,750)
- San Antonio Food Bank ($10,370)
- Tarrant Area Food Bank ($7,600)
- The Samaritan Inn ($10,000)

"Across the country there are thousands of Woodforest Bank employees working diligently to raise funds which benefit the Woodforest Charitable Foundation and the many worthy charities we support," said Kim Marling, v.p. & executive director of Woodforest Charitable Foundation. "This presentation was a perfect opportunity for Woodforest managers to learn more about these organizations as well as gain a better understanding of the positive impact their fundraising efforts are making. Both the Bank and the Foundation share a deep concern for the need in our communities and remain committed to serving others."

The Woodforest Charitable Foundation was created by Woodforest National Bank in 2005 as a direct result of its desire to support and invest in the communities in which it serves. In its sixth year, Woodforest Charitable Foundation continues to demonstrate a legacy of commitment to those in need, enriching lives and communities through dedicated leadership and faithful administration by providing funding to qualifying 501(c)(3) charities.
Pictured front row, from left, are: Mark Jackson, development director of Capital Area Food Bank; Dr. Victoria Constance, executive director of Children’s Safe Harbor; Elaine Petranek, director of development, Boys and Girls Country; John Bracken, executive director of Montgomery County Youth Services; Jennifer Smart, senior associate director, Children’s Miracle Network; David Chaney, director of corporate & foundation giving, Houston Food Bank; and Doris Golemon, executive director of Montgomery County Food Bank.

Back row, from left, are: Dr. David Gottlieb, Director of WCF; Sarahbeth Melton, WCF; Jonathan Benedetti, grants manager for East Texas Food Bank; Sayeda Mahler, senior manager of North Texas Food Bank; Elvira Reyes, donor database manager of Tarrant Area Food Bank; Avery Lawton, food resource coordinator of San Antonio Food Bank; Kathy Sanders, president of New Danville; John Trick, vocational coordinator of The Samaritan Inn; Vicki Richmond, secretary/treasurer of WCF; and Kim Marling, vice president/executive director of WCF.