Tammie Dunn Walker
Strategic Wealth Advisor Team - Ameriprise Financial
Actress and philanthropist, Audrey Hepburn, once said, “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands — one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” Five Celina businesses understand this by giving back to their beloved community.
Tammie Dunn Walker of Ameriprise Financial Wealth Management in Celina repeatedly tells her children “the greatest way to receive is to give,” and she truly gives. As the Director of Development for the Celina Education Foundation Board, and active member of the Celina Ladies of Influence, Tammie dedicates her time to serve Celina schools plus fellow businesswomen.
Tammie and her family have long believed in volunteering. They started out helping at a food pantry packing food and making goodie bags for kids. When they moved to Celina, the family continued assisting at Grace Bridge and various projects with the Young Men’s Service League.
At work, Tammie and her employees support area causes and sponsorships. She sponsors many events like the city golf tournament, Chamber Wine Crawl, and Oktoberfest to name a few. She also believes in “putting your money where your mouth is”. Her office makes it a point, as part of their annual plan, to determine where they are going to serve in the community as a team. Previously, they have worked for the Dallas Birthday Party Project, Family Place, and as mentioned, Grace Bridge in Celina. Tammie is so glad that people can volunteer back in person now post pandemic.
Tammie Dunn Walker knows that while “you are the one giving back, you receive a whole lot more than what you give.” As evident by her firm’s sponsorships, her civic involvement, and her personal volunteering, Tammie is a master at giving.
George Kendrick
KMI A/C & Heating
Helping each other is the Celina way. When I started my business, KMI A/C and Heating, twenty years ago I greatly appreciated the encouragement and support of the community. Celina has a strong and special community network, of which my wife Kristina (a Celina alumni) and I are proud to be a part. Not only does everyone support each other, but all the adults believe that supporting the youth, our future, is a priority. We try to give back as much as possible, but we do not see it as charity or donations, we just see it as being part of a close community. As residents of Celina, we are all fortunate to live in a town that feels like family. The encouragement from others here was a large factor in the success of KMI. As Celina grows, I pray that everyone in the community will continue to strive to encourage the success of others and support the youth.
Rex & Sherese Glendenning
REX Real Estate
Perhaps one of the most known charitable families in Celina are the Glendennings with REX Real Estate. Rex and Sherese Glendenning have been a part of the community for decades sponsoring and donating to “everything and anything that benefits Celina,” according to Sherese. From the new Turkey Trot, the Beware on the Square, to school organizations like Celina’s high school band or cheer, REX Real Estate is involved. Everyone enjoys the spray-painted hay bales along Preston Road. These have been supplied for over twenty years by Rex, and now his son-in-law Caleb Lavey helps to paint them. This task is very labor intensive but provides great town and school spirit cheering on the Celina Bobcats for years.
Sherese Glendenning says, “It really is Rex’s passion to give back, and has been a passion of his family forever. Ever since his great grandfather (Celina founder) arrived in Celina, the family has helped people.” The Glendenning Family and REX Real Estate are synonymous with service and giving back to their beloved town.
Scott Snellings
Snellings Injury Law
Another believer of helping the community is Scott Snellings. He is the founder of Snellings Law, a personal injury law firm with a heart. While that might sound like an oxymoron to many, their actions prove differently. “Our firm runs off core values which include love for our community. That starts within the four walls of our firm and then moves outside to helping the communities where we live and work. Part of the way we do that is through our monthly service projects,” he continues.
Every month the law firm employees meet to plan charitable events. With law offices in Frisco and Sherman, but also living in Celina, Scott focuses on helping these areas. This past August, an employee experienced grandparents suffering health issues requiring hospital care. While her grandfather was in a hospital, her grandmother stayed at Reba’s (yes, that Reba) Ranchhouse near Sherman. As such, the law firm learned more about Reba’s Ranchhouse and donated much needed equipment aiding mothers of newborns, the elderly, and families of people in the local hospital. The law firm also sponsors area organizations like Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship, and local education foundations and food banks.
Scott also gives to the National Kidney Foundation, something personal to him, as he is a kidney transplant recipient thanks to his best friend. Scott honors his friend each day by trying “to make this world a better place through serving others.” No doubt Scott Snellings understands the term giving back.
Mike & Jan Sampeck
Christian Brothers Automotive - Celina
Mike and Jan Sampeck, owners of Christian Brothers Automotive in Celina recently were awarded Community Friendly Business of the Year for a reason. Jan Sampeck says, “Our whole goal for getting into the automotive repair business is to be an agent of good. That means not only in serving people but also making a difference in our community.”
Their involvement in Celina includes sponsorship of local events including National Night Out, Splash ‘N Blast, and the Ladies of Influence events. But Jan Sampeck believes their real calling is using their business to help.
This past October on National Service Day, Christian Brothers conducted over thirty thousand dollars’ worth of free oil changes and safety auto repair work for people in need. Partnering with Grace Bridge and Cornerstone charities, the Sampecks served people who could not afford repairs. In addition, Christian Brothers Automotive repaired a car donated to Grace Bridge and made it operable to give to a single mom in Celina.
Last summer, Christian Brothers Automotive started a new program called “The DipJar”. Each month a local nonprofit is selected. When a customer donates or “dips” $15 into the jar, Christian Brothers will take $30 off the repair bill. Jan states, “The donations go directly to that nonprofit, so your donation makes a difference, plus you get a discount as well.” As a former minister, Jan Sampeck recognizes the importance of public service. “It is our heart to be a light in a dark industry, to help those that need it most”.