Agnes Hubbard Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries
For 24 years, Agnes Hubbard and her husband, David, have been working to meet the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of under-resourced families. Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries serves eight counties, providing training, resources, and support for those in crisis in the name of Christ.
Hubbard's preparation for her work started as a child. Her family spent time in New Zealand and the Cook Islands, where her dad opened the area's first supermarket. She later earned a degree in production horticulture and ran a large-scale plant operation, but she credits her time in leadership with Bible Study Fellowship as pivotal to her readiness to lead HCDBM.
Hubbard knows they would not exist without the support of their neighbors. "I know here in the Hill Country, and especially Boerne, we have something special," she explains. "Every day, I walk in the front door with a sense of gratitude that we get to serve such an incredible community. These things wouldn't happen without people who generously give their time, talent, and treasure to every part of the ministry. And I thank the Lord for them every day."
hillcountrydailybread.org
John Freud & Tom Mengler The Cibolo Center for Conservation
The City of Boerne purchased a parcel west of the Fairgrounds some 36 years ago. The original plans included a City Park with a pool, tennis courts, and other amenities. However, a portion of the plot was deemed "useless."
Carolyn Evans saw potential, though. With the support of advisors from the city and surrounding area organizations, plans for the Cibolo Nature Center took shape. It provided Boerne and Kendall County with a destination to bring together the area's diverse residents and with a mission to preserve natural resources and provide environmental and conservation education to the community.
In 2022, Evans asked John Freud to become the board president, believing his 36 years of experience in executive recruiting and identifying CEOs and board members for private and public firms prepared him to find the right person to lead the Cibolo Center for Conservation into its next chapter.
Assembling a search committee and hiring a search firm, they finally recruited Tom Mengler for the role after interviewing many able candidates. Mengler had just retired as President of Saint Mary's University, a role he served in for twelve years. Freud believed Mengler's nonprofit background, leadership and mentorship skills, knowledge of community engagement, and love of courting and nurturing donors were a perfect fit.
Freud maintains a humble gratitude for the community's support of the Center. "Our recognition is a recognition of Boerne and Kendall County," he says. “The fact that the Cibolo has grown from a tiny piece of restored land to a conservation and education center for the area—with a budget of more than $4 million and national recognition—is a testament to the support our community gives to us. My sincere thanks go to the local community. Without you, we would not be here.”
cibolo.org
Donna Klingaman Hill Country Pregnancy Care Center
The Hill Country Pregnancy Care Center began in 1987 with a group of interdenominational church members with a desire to ease the stress that can come with unplanned pregnancies. The Center offers various complementary and bilingual services, including pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, screening and treatment, prenatal and parenting education, and childbirth classes.
Executive Director Donna Klingaman understands the vital role of the Boerne community. "I'm especially grateful to this community working together for the good of others and that we are the recipient of such generosity and compassion. Through their support, we can offer quality, life-changing service to our clients to help brighten their future."
boernepregnancy.org
Jeanne Tousley Magdalena House
Reverend Denise Barker opened Magdalena House in 2007 to help women break the cycle of poverty and violence by providing comprehensive support and resources to help families thrive. In 2014, Jeanne Tousley joined the Board of Directors to move that vision into the future.
Tousley's deep gratitude for the community's support is evident. "From providing bicycles for children when families move onto the property to donating essential household items as they launch back into the community, your kindness transforms lives." She continues, "Your dedication reminds these families that they are not alone, and we are helping them build brighter futures. Thank you for being part of their story of hope and healing."
maghouse.org
Sonia Aguillon GVTC Foundation
For over 70 years, a part of GVTC Communications's mission has been serving its community of member-owners and customers. After a change in leadership in 2004, CEO Ritchie T. Sorrells saw how supportive GVTC was in the eleven counties it served. He envisioned connecting employees with opportunities to assist their communities further, a vision that led to the creation of The GVTC Foundation.
As President of The GVTC Foundation, Sonia Aguillon's leadership draws from a passion for serving others instilled by her parents. "I was fortunate to have been enriched by my parents, Diego and Rosa, who truly believed in giving back to others," Aguillon explains. "Helping others was something we saw daily, whether it be family, friends, or complete strangers."
During her 24 years with GVTC, Aguillon regularly participated in employee volunteer opportunities. The foundation's first president, Ola Armstrong, invited her to apply as a director, a position she has filled since 2008, serving as Treasurer, Vice President, and then President in 2020.
"Over the years, I have had great mentors such as Ritchie, Ola, and Paula White," Aguillon says. "It's the right fit for me to work alongside so many employees with a passion and heart to help others."
Expressing her gratitude for the community's support, she continues, "Thank you to anyone who makes the decision to support a nonprofit or volunteer their time. You are such an incredible asset. It is truly a blessing to live and work in a community that has compassion to help others, provide funding, time, and resources to those experiencing hardship."
gvtc.com/foundation