CASA of Williamson County receives the 2023 Impact Award
Central Texas nonprofits are recognized at Legacy Luncheon
Three nonprofits across Central Texas were honored at the fifth Central Texas Community Foundation Legacy Luncheon on Wednesday, September 13.
The Central Texas Community Foundation’s executive director, Amy Merida, described the process of this year’s nominations and recipients at the beginning of the Luncheon.
Two of the three awards were nominated by the non-profit community in Central Texas. The third award was nominated by the business community. The voting was done by community members through social media. She said over 10,000 interactions and votes were cast.
“Every day it gives me a front-row seat to the wonderful work being done by so many in our community who just want to make someone’s life better,” she said. “Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Today, we get to shine a spotlight on a handful of those people with three very special awards.”
The 2023 recipient of the Nacy Rabb Legacy Award was Round Rock Express. The Nacy Rabb Legacy Award honors a local business known for its charitable giving and positively impacting the community. Nominees included Emerson Automotive Solutions, Lott Brothers, The Robert J. Fisher Team and Wells Fargo.
“Anytime you can be in the same sentence with Nancy Rabb, you know you’re doing something right,” said Reid Ryan, chief executive officer of the Round Rock Express. “She and Judy McLeod opened their arms to Nicole and I when we were just kids coming around with a vision and helped us navigate what it meant to be Round Rock and what it meant to be a part of this community and that’s always giving back.”
Barbara and George Brightwell of Georgetown, who each died this year, were awarded the Elizabeth Brenenstuhl Unsung Hero Award. Previously known as the Unsung Hero Award, it recognizes volunteers who embody leadership in supporting local nonprofits. Nominees included Ariana Delbar, Barbra Garland, Billye Navarro and Jessica Mosman Grondin.
“What I observed is that besides being there with them the last 25 years is that nothing was ever about George and Barbara,” said Nacy Krenek, CEO of ROCK, on behalf of the Brightwells. “They would immediately turn it all back and focus on y’all. And I just want to say thank you to the businesses that invest in all of the nonprofits in the community. For all of the ways we are all connecting to make a change in this world.”
CASA of Williamson County received the 2023 Impact Award. Additionally, the nonprofit received a $5,000 check from Kalahari Resorts.
The award celebrates the Nonprofit of the Year and is given to the organization making a significant difference in Central Texas. Nominees included Brookwood in Georgetown, Hope Alliance, Ladder for Leaders and Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation.
CASA of Williamson County has served 1,042 children since its opening in 2009. The organization has 452 volunteers and has closed 855 successful child welfare cases.
“The work of advocating for children in child welfare is often hard,” said Marissa A. Austin, CEO of CASA. “It’s heavy, and it’s dark. But our staff and our volunteers work exceptionally hard to shine a light on those lives as they lead [children] to safe, permanent and loving homes.
“We are honored to do this work and we cannot do it without this incredible community. So thank you for this and thank you for allowing us to serve the children and the families in our community.”
Thirty-four organizations from across Central Texas were present at the luncheon, with nearly 650 people in attendance.
Central Texas Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity that helps 178 nonprofits in Central Texas with administrative support and establishing funds, according to the website. For more information visit www.ctxcf.org.