Shining Stars luncheon to celebrate outstanding volunteers

If there ever was an event where organizations in and around our community can come together and recognize those individuals who have given selflessly over the course of a year, The Arts Council Northeast’s annual Shining Stars luncheon, which celebrates outstanding volunteers who keep our many organizations running, is it.

Each year, many organizations honor an individual by selecting them as its Shining Star, who is then recognized at an annual luncheon. I have always said that this event is the ultimate “we couldn’t do it without you” recognition. This year, the list of amazing individuals is out and here it is. (Notice that I have been very “gender generic” in using the word “individual” because this year, the 19th year, is the first year that was open to not only women but men as well.)

This year’s honorees are: Mary Phillips from A Wish With Wings; Darlene McLaughlin from Altrusa International, Inc. of DFW; Fonda Martin from Arts Council Northeast; Sarah Mason from Carroll Education Foundation; Laura Roach from Christmas is for Children; Joy Williams from Circle of Friends; Katie Hopkins from The Clubhouse for Special Needs; Pamela Eckmann from Colleyville Lion’s Club; Tammy Nakamura from Colleyville Woman's Club; Sally Bustamante from Community Enrichment Center; Nina Muraski from Community Storehouse; Balla Wright from Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation;

Also, Stacy Archer from GRACE (Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange); June Aurelio from Greater Keller Women’s Club; Jessica Farrell from Greater Southlake Women’s Society; Deborah Paganelli from HEB Chamber of Commerce; Marta Cole from I Can Still Shine; Marti Conner from Kids Matter International; Don Armstrong from Leukemia Lymphoma Society — Tarrant County; Carita Weaver from Metroport Meals on Wheels; Mary King from Mid Cities Alpha Kappa Theta Alumnae; Anna Saunders from Mid Cities SOS; Amy Berryhill from National Charity League Colleyville Chapter; Marcia Etie from Northeast Tarrant Chamber of Commerce; Margaret Martin from Northeast Tarrant County AAUW;

And, Randy Moresi from North Hills Hospital; Paul Cobb from North Texas SNAP; Susan Schleppegrell from Southlake Newcomers Club; Terri Schrobilgen from Southlake Women's Club; Patti Irwin from Summer Santa; Barbara Cager from Tarrant County AAUW; Cindy Baw from Tarrant County College Northeast Campus; Phyllis Somma from Texas Health Methodist HEB; Andrew Wayne from The Arts League; Kathleen Simpson from The Gatehouse; Carol Callery from Trinity Arts Guild; and Mary Frazior from United Way of Tarrant County.

Besides the three new men this year, 11 new organizations have come on board to honor an amazing individual as well.

This year, the Orion Award, the most prestigious award, bestowed only six times over the last 18 years, will be presented by The Arts Council Northeast to the Arts League for its incredible volunteers’ untold hours of selfless giving that built the foundation that The Arts Council Northeast stands on today.

This year’s Shining Stars Luncheon will be at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 25 at the Hurst Conference Center at 1601 Campus Drive in Hurst. Tickets are $65 each and can be reserved at the Shining Stars website, www.shiningstarsartscouncil.org, and clicking on the “buy tickets” button on the left side of the page.

Social columnist Larre Green welcomes your information and input on interesting stories and events. Contact him at Larre@societywriter.com.

This story was originally published September 1, 2015 at 1:26 PM with the headline "Shining Stars luncheon to celebrate outstanding volunteers."