Member Stories

Zainab Rana: Community Service Recognition Children's Museum Tucson celebrated Discovery Nights volunteer, Zainab Rana: Community Service Recognition recipient at the SAVMA Awards 2024.  Zainab has been volunteering regularly during Discovery Nights programming at the Children's Museum Tucson helping run the program alongside paid staff members. Discovery Night is every Thursday evening and it is free admission during the time the program runs, so they see many visitors. Zainab helps run the activity planned for each Discovery Night by learning how to do it and showing children and their families how to do it too. She has helped with several different activities, including during some very highly attended nights, and she knows the drill at this point. When she arrives for Discovery Night, she jumps right in and at the end of the activity, she helps wrap up and organize things before the event ends. The staff have noticed how Zainab [...]

Larry Housner Community Service Recognition The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona would like to present their 2024 honoree Larry Housner, Community Service Recognition. We are proud to express our deepest gratitude to Larry Housner for his outstanding dedication and unwavering commitment to the mission. Since March of 2020, Larry has been an invaluable member of our volunteer team, standing out as a shining example of selflessness and compassion. One remarkable aspect of Larry's service is the amount of time and effort he has dedicated to our cause. Over the course of his volunteer journey, Larry has generously contributed over 1582 hours of his time. This remarkable commitment goes beyond, highlighting his passion for serving our community. Throughout the challenges posed by the pandemic, Larry has consistently demonstrated his loyalty and passion for serving others. His steadfast support in our Emergency Food Distribution efforts has been nothing short of exceptional. [...]

Art Hoffman: Community Service Recognition Arthur Hoffman is a Community Service Recognition recipient for his loyal volunteer service to Habitat for Humanity Tucson since 2011. Contributing in countless ways, Art not only gives Habitat Tucson his precious time, but the gift of wisdom, skills, and tremendous professional experience. In his time with Habitat Tucson, he leads the IT efforts, participates in construction, lays new flooring, attends and builds at events such as the Veteran Builds, Women’s Builds and more. Moreover, he is counted on for strategic consultation in the areas of technology and project management. Art is an active ambassador and advocate for the work at Habitat Tucson. He traveled internationally with Habitat for Humanity on three, 4-month assignments in France, Australia, Scotland, and Japan. With over 34+ years of experience at IBM leading IT standards worldwide, large contracts and project management, Habitat Tucson is grateful to leverage his many [...]

Fredericka Hills: Community Service Recognition Interfaith Community Services nominated Fredericka Hills for the Community Service Recognition. Her volunteering shows the love to empower and teach others. Since 2015, she has volunteered with Workforce Development, helping job seekers find employment, for instance. Fredericka works with clients to update their résumés by listening and identifying their skills, building up their confidence and teaching them how to get hired and stay hired. About half of all clients who come to ICS looking for employment, find employment. Fredericka’s role is key to that success. Fredericka fondly recalls how she connected a neighbor needing help at her assisted living business to a client with care-giving skills. She recalls listening to one individual having a hard time holding a job, and how she spoke truthfully and kindly as she would to her own son. Additionally, he has since maintained his employment. With an inspired faith at [...]

Gabriela Cervantes: Community Service Recognition Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona submitted Gabriela Cervantes for Community Service Recognition in 2024. She is a Marketing Specialist for Snell & Wilmer, and the founder of Gabriela with one L Consulting. Additionally she facilitates University of Arizona courses, is an Independent Fora Travel Advisor, serves on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona Board of Directors and is a "Big Sister." Gabriela, while originally from Nogales, has been a Tucson mover and shaker for over 25 years. She has served on many nonprofit boards, fundraising committees, and leadership councils over the years. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona is privileged to have had her time, talent, and treasure for the past six years. Gabriela was matched to her Little Sister in 2013, when her Little was just six years old. In 2018, she joined the Board of Directors and has [...]