GRACE CEO Shonda Schaefer was named Leader of the Year at last night’s Colleyville Chamber Awards.
GRACE was both humble and proud to be recognized at the Colleyville Chamber Annual Awards Gala last night.
We were certainly among friends! Robert Earley, president and CEO of the JPS Health Network and chairman of the Teaching Hospitals of Texas, served as master of ceremonies, dressed all in black and white—the theme of this awards banquet.
Carolyn Sims, Colleyville Chamber president and long-time friend of GRACE, guided the proceedings.
Frost Bank’s Mimi Tran, a dedicated GRACE Gala volunteer and newly-installed chairman of the Colleyville Chamber Board, offered a moving dedication, and hopes for a “grand year” in 2020. Loveria Caffe catered the banquet, and is also one of the restaurants participating in the Winter Restaurant week supporting GRACE.
Throughout the evening we applauded friend after friend as they mounted the steps to receive their awards. GRACE nominated Nancy and Jim Reid of 91 Design for Business of the Year. We were ecstatic when Nancy walked to the stage to receive the very well-deserved award.
Frost Bank, a very strong supporter of GRACE, took the award for Corporation of the Year, going head-to-head with Beall Investments, GRACE’s nominee. Robert Beall donated the location for GRACE Christmas Cottage in 2018 and 2019.
We nominated our friends at First Colleyville for the Outstanding Service Organization of the Year. So many of our friends were up for this honor. We were thrilled when Crown of Life Lutheran Church and School was named the recipient.
Morgan Sundell, GRACE’s nominee for Youth of the Year, received the top prize in this category. Congratulations Morgan! Well done!! We were truly inspired by the wonderful stories of commitment and selflessness with all of the Youth nominees.
GRACE nominated Randy White of Randy White Real Estate Services for the Leadership Award. He is generous corporate sponsor of GRACE events, and donates to GRACE personally. He also dedicates his time as a member of the GRACE Board of Directors, and is a constant source of learned advice and guidance.
Yet, the evening’s loudest applause from the GRACE tables came when our own chief executive officer, Shonda Schaefer, barely edged Randy out. Coincidently, it was Randy who nominated Shonda for the award.
Last, but not least, the Citizen of the Year award featured many acts of generous dedication, kindness and support by an impressive group of individuals committed to making our communities great places to live and work. GRACE nominees were Linda and Terry Steele, who give so much of their time, talent, and treasure to the GRACE Food Pantry and help feed families in need.
We were elated when another great GRACE friend, supporter, and volunteer Nancy Coplen walked away with the honors.
GRACE congratulates all who won or were nominated for their excellence this past year.
