The Woodlands Lifestyles & Homes magazine Sep 2009: News in The Woodlands3 -

MCUW Volunteer Honored At Women of Distinction Luncheon. Montgomery County United Way nominated Cynthia Kittrell to be honored at the Women of Distinction Luncheon sponsored by the Women’s Council of Organizations at the Waterway Marriott.

Kittrell is a 30-year employee of Entergy Corporation, where she has served in various capacities across the south in Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas. Currently a senior lead analyst for business services, Fossil Operations, she graduated with a BS degree in Chemistry from Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, Miss.

Kittrell has been a long-time volunteer for United Way, most recently in Montgomery County United Way. She has served or is currently serving as a member of the Strategic Investment Committee, Community Impact Committee and the Creating Independence Council. She has also served on the Strategy Team at West Conroe Baptist Church.

Rags to Riches resale shop receives fashion show merchandise donation. Joy Bazzle and LaShun Foster of Wrapperlicious donated 25 bags of clothing from their Wrapperlicious 2nd Annual Clothing Swap, Shop & Network Extravaganza held on behalf of the Montgomery County Women’s Center.

The clothing will be sorted and then placed in the agency’s Rags to Riches resale shop, which features an upscale resale boutique offering designer brands at resale shop prices. The resale shop supports the agency ’s emergency shelter for abused and battered women.

cunningham gas employees help friendship center build wheelchair ramp. Employees of Cunningham Gas assisted The Friendship Center in constructing a wheelchair ramp for Wilson Lawson, a disabled senior in Montgomery County. Bill Smith, a long-time Friendship Center volunteer, headed up the agency’s ramp project.

Participating in the presentation of the Fireman’s Fund grant check to The Woodlands Fire Department are: (l-r) Deputy Chief Wayne Walker; John Meek, Fireman ’s Fund; Vanessa Kimball, HUB International Personal Insurance; Lt. Scott Windisch; Fire Chief Alan Benson; Capt. David Parker; The Woodlands Township Chairman Nelda Blair; The Woodlands Association President Joel Deretchin and firefighter Josh Thomas.

The Woodlands Fire Department receives grant for firefighter training. As part of a nationwide philanthropic program funded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, The Woodlands Fire Department received a $5,886 grant. The grant will enable the department to purchase state-of-the-art computer-based emergency simulation training programs that focus on various hazardous situations. Each simulation module will focus on real life scenarios and how to deal with various hazardous situations safely and effectively.

The computer-based scenarios allow multiple firefighters to work as a team to enhance firefighter safety by giving participants the opportunity to practice and develop critical decision making under training conditions. The new modules will include a variety of training topics to build confidence and teamwork.

“The addition of the training courses will improve our ability to protect firefighters and residents in our community, ” said Fire Chief Alan B. Benson. “Proper training is critical to our ability to respond effectively, and ultimately help keep our community safer. ”

conroe elks lodge donates to women’s center. The Conroe Elks Lodge, Chapter 2584, made a generous donation to the Montgomery County Women's Center from proceeds raised from the annual barbecue fundraiser event. The Women's Center was selected as the agency of choice this year, and Conroe Elks will host the event for the center again in April 2010.

Women’s Center Goes with the Flo. RE/MAX Realtor Flo Newman provided her “Go with the Flo” moving truck to the Montgomery County Women’s Center when it had its own delivery truck serviced.

“We depend on the use of our truck to collect furniture and large item donations in the community so when our truck goes down, our operation comes to a standstill, ” said Donna Wick, director of outreach and communications for the Women’s Center. “Flo kept us going and we didn’t miss a beat.”

JUNIOR LEAGUE ANNOUNCES 2009-10 BOARD MEMBERS. The Junior League of North Harris and South Montgomery Counties Inc. announced the 2009-10 executive board members. They are Shannon Mills, president; Jenni Skipper, president-elect; Ali May, financial vice president; Missy Herndon, community vice president; Patty Charles, membership vice president; and Lauren Temple, communications vice president.

montgomery county republican women hosts membership social. The Montgomery County Republican Women recently held a successful new membership social. Approximately 50 members and non-members were in attendance. Guests listened as president Donna Barr explained the Republican philosophy and the various activities the organziation is involved in such as Treats for Troops.

Twenty-one new members were welcomed into the club at the end of the afternoon. This year ’s membership drive has produced a 30 percent increase over last year.