Interfaith of The Woodlands to honor Five Who Share at annual luncheon

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Interfaith of The Woodlands is excited to announce the 2017 Service of Excellence Award recipients.

The Five Who Share Spring Luncheon, presented by CB&I, will honor the following recipients for their significant contribution in making a difference and commitment to our community through their volunteerism in the five following areas of service: Education for Tomorrow Alliance (EfTA) – Education, Patti Rivela – Youth, Vickie McMillan - Fine Arts, Suzana Bell – Seniors and Dr. Sally Shu - Health.

EfTA is being honored for their long-standing dedication to connecting the business and education communities in Montgomery County. EfTA was created in 1989 as a project of the The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce and local science and technology professionals who wanted to encourage the next generation of workers, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The organization uses innovative programs focused on science, technology and career preparation to connect business with local educators, mentor today’s students for tomorrow’s workplace and engage community volunteers to inspire youth for success.

Patti Rivela was chosen for Youth because of her commitment to making a lasting impact on the lives of children and teenagers through Montgomery County Youth Services (MCYS). She began volunteering her time with MCYS in 2007. Since then, she has chaired numerous committees and events and also joined the MCYS Board of Directors. She was awarded the Women of Distinction Award by vMCYS in 2013 and she and her husband, Lucian, were the honorees in 2015 at the MCYS Woodlands Masquerade Gala. Patti also provides weekly art classes and portrait drawings for women and children at the Montgomery County Women's Center. In addition to her work with MCYS, Patti has worked with many other local area charities, serving as the chair of the annual Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch Denim & Diamond Gala, founding the “Tea on the Lawn” for New Danville, and was the co-chair for Memorial Hermann-The Woodlands “In the Pink of Health” Luncheon.

Vickie McMillan is being recognized in the category of Fine Arts for the remarkable artwork she has created for many local and national exhibits. Her award-winning paintings have been displayed in both art museums and fine art galleries throughout the country and are included in numerous corporate and private collections. She is a donor and active lifetime member of many organizations who raise funds to protect our parks, land and animals while promoting and educating wildlife conservation. Not only are her works of art in-demand among discriminating collectors of fine art, but also her large wildlife and nature paintings have become popular for corporate buildings. Her latest installation involved two large murals for the new Texas Children’s Hospital, The Woodlands and a collaborative mural to be installed in the new Walmart located at Creekside Park in The Woodlands. This mural will be the first creative piece of art to be installed at Walmart store across the United States.

Suzana Bell is the Five Who Share recipient for Seniors. She has been a volunteer with older adults for over 15 years. She is currently a volunteer driver for the Senior Transportation Program at Interfaith of The Woodlands. She participates in the Adopt-A-Senior program and enjoys volunteering at many senior events. Suzana is a natural caregiver who believes in giving back to her community.

The final honoree is Dr. Sally Shu. Dr. Shu is a retired physician who dedicates her time to providing care for the uninsured in Montgomery County at Interfaith Community Clinic. She attends medical seminars around the country to increase her knowledge and stay up-to-date on the most current information to better assist her patients. Dr. Shu also volunteers on medical missions all around the world and helps organize medical equipment and supplies to provide for countries in need.

Mrs. Barbara Cargill, Texas State Board of Education, will serve as the Honorary Chair of this year’s “Highlighting Education” themed event that will be held on Friday, March 3, 2017 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center.

The luncheon will include performances by the Ann K. Snyder Elementary Festival Choir and the Oakridge High School String Ensemble. Proceeds will benefit the Programs and Services of Interfaith of The Woodlands.

For additional event information or to sponsor this event, please contact Meagan Jamaluddin at 832-615-8230 or mjamaluddin@woodlandsinterfaith.org. Tickets for the event are $50 and can be purchased online at woodlandsinterfaith.org/fivewhoshare.

Interfaith of The Woodlands is a nonprofit social service agency providing numerous programs and services to meet the needs of The Woodlands and the surrounding area. For more information on Interfaith’s programs and services, or to become a volunteer, please visit: www.woodlandsinterfaith.org or call 281-367-1230.

Photo: Missy Herndon, President and CEO of Interfaith of The Woodlands, Patti Rivela, 2017 Five Who Share Recipient for Youth and Meagan Jamaluddin, Director of Development for Interfaith of The Woodlands