Despite COVID-19 seeming to dominate headlines, area foundations are making news themselves. The latest is the generous Hoblitzelle Foundation that has just revealed three newsworthy developments.
First is that Karen Shuford has just been elected to be the Foundation’s first female chair in its 78-year history. Other officers elected to three-year terms are Jere Thompson Jr. as vice-chair and Holland P. Gary as treasurer.
The other news is the election of community leader Lizzie Horchow Routman and former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings to the Foundation’s board, which also includes State Rep. Rafael M. Anchia, Lydia Novakov, Dr. Daniel Podolsky and Catherine Rose.
According to Hoblitzelle Foundation President/CEO Katie Robbins, “On behalf of the Hoblitzelle Foundation and our board, we’re thrilled to welcome Mike Rawlings and Lizzie Horchow Routman as new directors. Their leadership and engagement in our community coupled with their knowledge of critical needs in our city will be a tremendous benefit to those we serve.”
The final development was outgoing Foundation Chair John Dayton’s being elected honorary lifetime chair joining the following honorary chairs: Linda Custard, Jerry Farrington, Jerry Fronterhouse, Paul Harris, Caren Prothro, Deedie Rose, George Shafer, Bill Solomon, Kern Wildenthal and Don Williams.
Since its establishment by Esther and Karl Hoblitzelle in 1942, the Foundation has “approved 3,280 grants to 990 agencies, investing more than $240 million in the social service, cultural, educational and medical organizations in Texas.”
* Photo provided by Hoblitzelle Foundation