2011 Hometown Heroes announced

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Three individuals, one couple and one business have been selected as the 2011 Hometown Heroes. Jim Blair, Candi Glenn, Kim and Robert Marling, Lloyd Matthews and the South Montgomery County YMCA are the honorees that will be recognized for their many contributions to the community at The Woodlands Celebration of Excellence Gala, benefiting Interfaith of The Woodlands.

The gala will be held on Saturday, October 8, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, according to Dr. Ann Snyder, President and CEO of Interfaith of The Woodlands. The 2011 Hometown Heroes were chosen by a Selection Committee composed of Hometown Heroes alumni, a group that includes 83 residents of The Woodlands and eight businesses that have contributed to the educational, civic, cultural and spiritual fabric of the community. The annual tradition of honoring Hometown Heroes began in 1999 as a part of The Woodlands 25th Anniversary Celebration and has continued ever since.

“The Hometown Heroes inspire us with their dedication, volunteerism and compassion to the community,” said Snyder. “They are positive role models that embody the true values of The Woodlands.”

Jim Blair and his wife, Nelda, have lived in The Woodlands for 22 years. The Blairs have a daughter, Maris Blair, who lives in The Woodlands with her husband, David Hall.

Jim Blair is well-known for his generosity and giving of his time throughout The Woodlands, Montgomery County and Texas. He is described by friends as a “low-key, reserved, giving gentleman.” He has opened his home to support many local organizations including CASA, Montgomery County Youth Services, South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce, South County Buyers Group and Interfaith.

Blair actively supports many causes. Blair has made an incredible difference serving on the Interfaith Board of Directors for six years and as vice chairman of its executive committee. He has also supported Interfaith Community Clinic. His volunteer efforts after Hurricane Ike included surveying the needs of others and helping distribute much needed funds. He has also been instrumental in helping the American Heart Association, Children’s Safe Harbor, Basset Buddies Rescue and First Baptist Church.

Blair is considered a positive role model by his peers. “His history of volunteerism speaks volumes, and I have never heard him ask to be recognized for doing what is right. His values are the highest caliber, and he exemplifies all that is good in our community,” said Nina Marino, resident of The Woodlands and past chairman of the Board of the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce. “He quietly moves forward within our community making incredible differences without needing or “backing away” from publicity. You see, Jim is one of those rare individuals that does not need to take credit for his numerous roles of making a difference.”

Candi Glenn and her husband, Gerald, have been residents of The Woodlands since 2001. They have two sons - Charlie, who attends The John Cooper School and Mike, a student at Clemson University.

Glenn has served on The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Board of Directors for nine years, serving as chairman of the board from 2008 to 2010. During this time, Glenn spearheaded an aggressive plan to rebuild The Pavilion after Hurricane Ike in September 2008 in the record time of less than six months, enabling The Pavilion to open with a larger facility in May 2009. She was also instrumental in working with The Woodlands Township to incorporate a ticket tax to benefit The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, home of The Pavilion. Glenn served as chair for The Pavilion’s Saturday Night Live Gala in February 2011 and is an active member of the Pavilion Partners.

With one son attending The John Cooper School and the other an alumnus, Glenn is a “roll-up-her-sleeves” parent and is active in school fundraising activities, including Cooper’s Gala, Golf Tournament, the Signature events and more. The Glenn Family Main Stage at Cooper’s new Performing Arts Center shows her love and support of music, arts and education. Glenn is also actively involved with the Montgomery County Women’s Center (MCWC), the Montgomery County American Heart Association, United Way and Montgomery County Youth Services as well as serving on the Advisory Board of The Club at Carlton Woods.

2010 Hometown Hero George Lindahl states, “Candi gives her energy, commitment, dedication and personal attributes to so many deserving organizations. She has made a tremendous difference in making The Woodlands a better place to live.”

Kim and Robert Marling moved to The Woodlands in 1992. The Marlings have raised their three children - Brandon, Charlie, and Brittney - here and were a significant part of their lives from Robert, in the past, coaching little league baseball at ORWALL and Kim and Robert raising funds to improve the ORWALL fields and facilities. Kim also was a former member of the Board of Directors for The John Cooper School.

The Marlings have personally supported many local charities with their time and financial resources including Interfaith of The Woodlands, Interfaith Community Clinic, Montgomery County United Way, Montgomery County Food Bank, New Danville, The Friendship Center, Montgomery County Women’s Center, Montgomery County Youth Services, Habitat for Humanity, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes and many more notable charities.

Robert has served on numerous boards including chairman of the board of The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, Montgomery County United Way Campaign Chairman, former Advisory Director of the Memorial Hermann Foundation and Advisory Council of the North Harris Community College District. Kim has also served in many volunteer capacities including member of The Woodlands Chapter of the National Charity League, former member of the Board of Directors of Pavilion Partners for the Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands and has served as Committee Chair/member for numerous fundraising galas in the community. Together, Kim and Robert chaired a past Montgomery County Heart Ball.

As founders of Woodforest National Bank, headquartered in The Woodlands, the Marlings were the driving force to create Woodforest Charitable Foundation (WCF) in 2005. Robert serves as the president of the Foundation and Kim serves as the vice president. In 2010, more than 131 charities in 15 states received funds with 85 of those donations going directly to food banks. Since its inception, the WCF has donated significantly to Montgomery County charities.

“I cannot think of a better couple to be honored as Hometown Heroes than Kim and Robert Marling. They have raised their family in The Woodlands, spent countless hours volunteering their time to help improve the community; they have provided both leadership and their economic resources to make this a great community; and have consistently dedicated their time and energy to worthy causes such as the arts, education, local charities and helping make The Woodlands the great community that it has become,” said Ray Sanders, Chief Credit Officer of Woodforest National Bank.

Lloyd Matthews and his wife, Peg, have been in The Woodlands since 1998. The Matthews also have family members that live here. Their son, Dan Matthews, his wife, Jennifer, and their two children, Maylinn and Miller, live in the neighborhood of Harper’s Landing in The Woodlands’ Village of College Park. Lloyd’s mother, Louise Zeallor, lives in The Forum at The Woodlands. Residing in Houston is their daughter, Susan Schmidt, husband, Hayden, and their daughter, Alyssa.

Matthews is dedicated to public service in The Woodlands. He is a member of the Board of Directors on The Woodlands Township, currently serving in the position of vice chairman along with serving on various committees. He also serves on the Board of Directors for The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau and holds the office of Treasurer/Secretary. Matthews has been a director of The Woodlands Association Board of Directors since 2000 and was vice president until January 1, 2010. His assignments included Governance Steering, The Woodlands Decides, Joint Legislation Action, Law Enforcement, Election and Budget committees and served as an Indian Spring resident advocate. He also served on The Woodlands Community Service Corporation until it dissolved.

A 2003 graduate of Leadership Montgomery County, Matthews is a Director of The Woodlands Fire Department and has served as co-chair of the Indian Springs Village Association Taste of the Village since 2004, also attending Association Board meetings since 1998. Matthews is on the Chamber of Commerce Mobility and Legislative committees; has worked with the Education for Tomorrow Alliance SCI/TECH Fair since 2001; and volunteers at the Capital One/Junior Achievement Finance Park with Conroe ISD. He has also served as financial and fundraising vice president on the South County Fourth of July Committee; assisted on the Lake Woodlands Property Owner’s Association and been a director for Municipal Utility District #60.

“When Lloyd retired, I knew I would not have to worry about what to do with him around the house, because he wasn’t,” said his wife Peg. “He had always said his plan was to volunteer in his community and to travel, the two things for which working for Amoco did not allow him enough time. So he’s not only an excellent Hometown Hero, but also a great “home” hero to me.”

On September 21, the South Montgomery County YMCA will celebrate its 25th anniversary of opening its first location, the Shadowbend facility, in The Woodlands. Today, the South Montgomery County YMCA is recognized as the largest YMCA of the Greater Houston Area and one of the largest in the State of Texas, serving more than 40,000 families annually helping them grow stronger in spirit, mind and body. In addition, the annual YMCA Partners Campaign has reached an all-time high, providing over $600,000 in scholarship and subsidized programs to more than 5,000 area individuals, youth and families in 2011.

The South Montgomery County YMCA started as an Outreach Center for programming for the Conroe Family YMCA. Now with three facilities in The Woodlands including the Branch Crossing and Creekside YMCA Outdoor Adventure Center, the South Montgomery County YMCA has grown to provide community programs at all of its locations, as well as after school programs at 18 Conroe ISD campuses, four lower-income apartment complexes and other community sites.

The South Montgomery County YMCA touches the lives of over 20 percent of those in the community. This translates to over 43,000 individuals that use the Y for health/wellness programs, youth sports activities, performing arts, early childhood development and after school care, youth leadership training and adult social gatherings. The YMCA strives to turn no one away due to the inability to pay, ensuring the non-profit health and human services organization is available to all.

In addition, the South Montgomery County YMCA reaches out to the community with a variety of events and activities including the YMCA Dragon Boat Team Challenge, YMCA Operation Back Pack, YMCA Trail Run, Angel Giving Tree, YMCA Healthy Kids Day, YMCA Family Nights, YMCA Golf Tournament, Elementary Mentoring Program, Thanksgiving Day GE Run Thru the Woods and more.

“The South Montgomery County YMCA has been a tremendous community partner throughout the years,” said Tim Welbes, president of The Woodlands Development Company. “The YMCA is committed to helping people reach their potential through recreation, healthy outdoor adventures and education. The South Montgomery County YMCA is for people of all ages, background or income.”

Criteria for the selection of the Hometown Heroes included, but were not limited to:
- Positive role model
- History of volunteerism
- Sacrificing personal gain to achieve noble goals
- Leadership and courage
- Embodies the values of The Woodlands community; family values, importance of education, the arts and culture, environmental consciousness
- Dedication to public service

The Celebration of Excellence Honoring Hometown Heroes is the largest annual fundraiser for Interfaith of The Woodlands, the primary social services organization in the community. The event is sponsored by many businesses and organizations in The Woodlands. To purchase a table or make a donation, contact Mary Jo O’Neal, Interfaith’s Development Director.