Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants | November 28, 2024
Samuel Pineda
Organization: The Salvation Army
Sam has worked in various departments for The Salvation Army for over six years. He started working as the kitchen supervisor at the Arlington Corp and Family Life Center, where he provided oversight to the kitchen team that provided three meals daily to homeless families, after-school care for the YET center, a choice food pantry that serves more than 300 households weekly, a soup kitchen, and the Corp activities. Sam has also assisted with seasonal bell ringing and Angel Tree activities for several years, and now he works in the maintenance department. Sam provides support to 13 locations in six counties. Sam serves as a role model by consistently displaying TSA core values in his daily interactions with participants, staff, vendors, and community partners. He quickly helps, from fixing a leaky faucet to power washing the sidewalk during the day's heat. He is never too busy to assist participants or staff members. There is no limit to his ability to help whenever a need arises. Sam is enrolled in the Social Work program at UTA because he is dedicated to serving the community and making a difference. No matter how challenging his day is, Sam always smiles and says encouraging words to anyone who crosses his path. He is a valuable team member at the Salvation Army and deserves a crown!
Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants | November 28, 2024
Norma Fazekas
Organization: The Salvation Army
Norma has been a dedicated member of The Salvation Army for over a decade. In her current role as the interim kitchen manager at the Mabee Center, she not only provides support to the Arlington Salvation Army when needed but also goes above and beyond to ensure the kitchen operations run smoothly. Over the past nine months, Norma has worked tirelessly to reorganize and clean the kitchen/cafeteria, leading her team with compassion and dedication. She also collaborates with staff to order food for the cafeteria and food pantry from the Tarrant Area Food Bank and coordinates the pick-up and distribution of grocery donations. Together, they serve over 600 warm and nourishing meals every year. Her encouragement of participants, staff, and vendors has created a positive impact, and her unwavering compassion for everyone who seeks assistance is evident in her commitment to serving them. Thank you, Norma!
Ms. Tonya Lewis is an outstanding Human Resources Administrator at the Mabee Center. She has consistently shown exceptional dedication and professionalism in supporting over 50 employees who deliver services to combat poverty, homelessness, and addictions, especially after transitioning from a three-person to a one-person team over the past year. Tonya's strong focus on compliance, training, and employee relations has positively impacted the Mabee Center service delivery. Tanya worked with employees to create an employee committee that organizes at least one monthly employee activity, significantly improving team cohesiveness and collaboration. Tonya has effectively worked with the leadership team to develop strategies to overcome challenges in training and retaining quality staff that provides vital services to combat poverty, homelessness, and addiction. Tonya's extensive experience, in-depth knowledge, remarkable team spirit, and unwavering commitment to the team have undeniably impacted our community and definitely deserves a crown.
Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants | November 28, 2024
Damita Harris
Organization: The Salvation Army
Damita Harris has been an employee of The Salvation Army for 8 ½ years. She has worked as a case aide, case manager, and is now the Manager of Shelter and Housing in the Denton Shelter. When the pandemic hit, Damita worked for months straight without a day off to ensure that there was coverage in the emergency shelter and that the doors could stay open to our unsheltered guests in need. Damita recently experienced a personal health battle that kept her out of the office for a long period of time. Her absence was evidence of how much of an impact she has made in the Salvation Army community. Clients, volunteer, and staff grieved her absence and were overjoyed when she finally returned.
Damita's commitment to her team and clients is unwavering. Thank you, Damita!
Dallas Cowboys vs Houston Texans | November 18, 2024
Wakeelah Ogidan
Organization: The Salvation Army
For the past 10 years, Wakeelah Ogidan has worked in various capacities from Case Aide to Lead case management specialist at the Salvation Army's Mabee Center. She joined the Salvation Army's Family Life Center Arlington in 2023 as lead case management specialist working with homeless families overcoming poverty, assisting them as they regain self-sufficiency and transition out of the program successfully. Wakeelah deeply understands the challenges and emotions faced by her clients and she approaches each case with compassion, while offering support and kindness in difficult times. With her many years of experience in working with the homeless population and networking, Wakeelah is resourceful and creative in finding solutions that are essential for helping clients navigate challenges and find stable housing. She was able to resume the life skill program for families by providing basic training to help families transition successfully. Wakeelah truly embodies the true meaning of service and deserves a crown.
Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles | November 10, 2024
Regina Thompson
Organization: The Salvation Army
In the time Regina has been with The Salvation Army, she continuously delivers high quality service to her clients and advocacy on their behalf that exhibits her passion for her work. Regina is a shelter monitor at The Salvation Army's Mabee Center. Her work has been instrumental in preparing the family emergency shelter, as well as ensuring that the Rotunda, dorms, and other areas were organized when preparing for the Renovation Celebration. She always creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere for clients to share their testimony and has also worked alongside the Leadership and Case Management teams to help facilitate shelter activities for families, screenings for housing opportunities. She has developed relationships with community partners while maintaining a high level of professionalism, compassion, and grace. Regina also proudly served with the US Army for 10 years. Thank you, Regina!
Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions | October 13, 2024
Victoria Gelb Powell
Organization: The Salvation Army
Victoria Gelb Powell has been serving with The Salvation Army for almost 3 years. She has worked as an Angel Tree Coordinator, Receptionist, and now is a Case Worker/Community Liaison for the McKinney Corps. Victoria has been a vital member of the team, always willing to assist in any way possible. She has worked tirelessly running the food pantries at both the Plano and McKinney Corps. She also has been an integral part in ensuring that our inclement weather shelters for the winter are ready to be opened to help ensure our unsheltered neighbors have a warm safe place to be during cold weather season. Victoria is a person who can be counted on to jump in whenever needed. She is quick to volunteer her own time and give back to the community. Victoria is one truly "That Deserves a Crown"!
Dallas Cowboys vs Baltimore Ravens | September 22, 2024
Maria Verduzco
Organization: The Salvation Army
As a member of the Salvation Army community, Maria Verduzco has consistently demonstrated reliability, compassion, and a strong dedication to helping those in need. She currently serves as a bilingual translator where her ability to bridge language barriers has ensured that vulnerable households have access to crucial resources such as housing and financial assistance. Maria has also played a pivotal role in the reopening of the emergency shelter for homeless families, where she has devoted countless hours to assisting the team and adding her personal touch by decorating the facilities. Her contributions have created a warm and welcoming environment that goes above and beyond for our community. Maria is truly a community hero and deserving of a crown!
Dallas Cowboys vs New Orleans Saints | September 15, 2024
Venette Meachem
Organization: The Salvation Army
As the Senior Manager of Behavioral Health, Venette oversees four programs that address homelessness in special residential populations at the Mabee Center. In addition to fulfilling her core responsibilities, Venette actively engages in multiple philanthropic endeavors, including managing the food pantry and Angel Tree Initiatives. Her relentless dedication, empathy, and commitment to community outreach has created a long-lasting impact on the community and her willingness to serve others is deeply appreciated!
Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Chargers | August 24, 2024
Janet Hoppe
Organization: North Texas Food Bank
Janet has helped with anything and everything at the North Texas Food Bank, and she is the first to raise her hand for the jobs that pop up along the way. From volunteering to accept food donations at the State Fair of Texas and supporting our signature fundraising events to collecting produce from trade shows and representing NTFB at various volunteer fairs, Janet is a phenomenal ambassador for NTFB's mission and her enthusiasm shines in everything she does. Janet came from a career in the food service industry, so feeding people was her daily task. Through her work, she came to realize that many people don't realize the simple luxury of dining out for a meal. Volunteering at NTFB allows Janet the opportunity to help people who cannot afford this luxury as they don't have the means to feed their family. Janet is an outstanding volunteer for the North Texas Food Bank. Since that first shift in March 2022, Janet has volunteered over 560 hours! We are immensely grateful to Janet for her dedication to volunteering and support for NTFB.