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2010 Hometown Heroes Announced

Published 09/10/2010

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Three individuals, one couple and one business have been selected as the 2010 Hometown Heroes. Barry Blanton, Linda and Greg Freede, George Lindahl, Karen West and Anadarko Petroleum Corporation are the honorees that will be recognized for their many contributions to the community at The Woodlands Celebration of Excellence Gala benefiting Interfaith of The Woodlands.

The gala will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, according to Dr. Ann Snyder, President and CEO of Interfaith of The Woodlands. The 2010 Hometown Heroes were chosen by a Selection Committee composed of Hometown Heroes alumni, a group that includes 79 residents of The Woodlands and seven businesses that have contributed to the educational, civic, cultural and spiritual fabric of the community. The annual tradition of honoring Hometown Heroes began in 1999 as a part of The Woodlands 25th Anniversary Celebration and has continued ever since.

“The Hometown Heroes inspire us with their dedication, volunteerism and compassion to the community,” said Snyder. “They are positive role models that embody the true values of The Woodlands.”

Barry Blanton
Barry Blanton has lived in The Woodlands for 20 years and resides here with his wife, Fran. Their children include Brady Blanton, Kirby Blanton, Jason Kirk, Taylor Rainey and their granddaughter, Grayson.

Blanton has volunteered his time and talent to numerous organizations. He served as Vision Committee Chairman from 1998 - 2000 and Board Chairman from 1995 - 1998 for the South Montgomery County YMCA. In 1995, the South Montgomery County YMCA named him Volunteer of the Year. He also served as Board Chairman from 1987 – 1989; Partners of Youth Chairman in 1987; and was named Volunteer of the Year in 1988 at the Conroe Family YMCA.

Blanton has been Event Chairman, from 2006 to present, and Corporate Walk Chair from 2006 – 2007 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night – The Woodlands Walk. He has also served in various capacities for the Montgomery County United Way and was named Volunteer of the Year in 1983. He has volunteered for the Finance Team from 2001 to present for WoodsEdge Community Church; served as an Awards/Membership Chairman for Cub Scout Pack 1772 from 1994 – 1996; was Club Vice President from 2002- 2003 for The Woodlands High School Inline Hockey team; and volunteered with other organizations including Past President and Treasurer of the Montgomery County Texas Exes (University of Texas Alumni).

“On top of his accomplishments, Barry is a Non-Hopkin’s Lymphoma survivor. When I first started working with him for Light the Night – The Woodlands, I think he was still being treated, but he never let on that he was suffering. Instead, he inspired all of us and really has been the driving force behind the event,” said resident of The Woodlands, Julie Bell. “He truly is a Hometown Hero.”

Linda and Greg Freede
Linda and Greg Freede moved with their son, Brett, to The Woodlands in 1986. The husband and wife team have impacted many facets of The Woodlands including helping with the youth, fine arts, school sports and economic development. The Freedes have also been active fundraisers for many local organizations.

“When Greg coached, directed and organized local youth sports in the area in which his son participated, Linda was actively working on the committee that eventually brought Montgomery College (now Lone Star College – Montgomery) to The Woodlands,” said Hometown Hero Walter Clay Cooke and his wife Madalyn. “Later, they both became very dedicated to Montgomery County Youth Services.”

Linda has been a Montgomery County Youth Services (MCYS) Board Member since 1994. She has served in various capacities including Chairman of the Board, 2002; 2009 Board Member of the Year for the Texas Network of Youth Services at the MCYS; and been The Woodlands Celebrity Golf Classic Communications Chair since 1995. She was also recognized with the MCYS’ Woman of Distinction Award in 1996 and 2007. Linda has been a member of the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce since 1990, serving in several leadership positions including the Economic Outlook Conference Committee, 2004. Linda has also served for 16 years on the committee for the YMCA Run Thru the Woods; was a founding member of The Woodlands Toastmasters and The Woodlands Business Associates; and served on The Woodlands Symphony Orchestra Board.

Greg has served as The Woodlands Celebrity Golf Classic Tournament Director since 2000 for Montgomery County Youth Services. In this capacity, he oversees the agency’s largest fundraiser. Through his 10 years of efforts and leadership, the tournament has seen net proceeds of nearly $1 million. Both Greg and Linda were awarded the MCYS Board Bridge Builder Award. Greg has also been President from 1998 – 1999 of The Woodlands High School Home Run Club; South Montgomery County Youth Soccer Coach from 1987 – 1992; YMCA Youth Basketball Coach; and ORWALL Little League Coach from 1988 – 1994.

George Lindahl
Resident of The Woodlands, George Lindahl, almost always says “yes” when it comes to helping others. Lindahl takes his commitment seriously and provides active, involved leadership. “Not only does he contribute monetarily, George gives selflessly of his time, serving in a hands-on manner. He is a community leader and amazingly dedicated,” said Dr. Ed Robb, Senior Pastor of The Woodlands United Methodist Church and Hometown Hero.

Lindahl is a philanthropist and an active volunteer in numerous charities in The Woodlands and Montgomery County including 2010 – 2011 Chairman of the Board at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. He also serves in a variety of leadership roles including Reaching Pines Capital Campaign Cabinet for the Montgomery County Women’s Center; 2007 Community Outreach Event Co-Chair at the South Montgomery County Community Clinic; Pastor Parish Relations Committee at The Woodlands United Methodist Church; and founding member along with other leadership roles for the Life Beyond Cancer Foundation. In each, Lindahl has made a lasting footprint.

Lindahl, also, has been active at Interfaith of The Woodlands and now serves on the Board of Advisors and Development Committee. He also Co-Chairs the Interfaith Endowment Cabinet and was instrumental in the organization’s capital campaign. Additionally, Lindahl was the Honorary Co-Chair for the 2009 The Woodlands Celebration of Excellence Gala.

Lindahl’s involvement extends to Houston where he is on the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries and Chairman of the Board of the Houston Museum of Natural Science.  His international work has far reaching results.  He has built family homes and a multi-purpose building at an orphanage in Honduras and recruited others to do this mission work with him.  Lindahl has truly touched many lives with his generosity, commitment and service, and he continues this passion.

The letters of recommendation from nonprofit organizations in The Woodlands speak volumes about Lindahl’s leadership in fundraising campaigns that have resulted in significant changes for many people in this community. His favorite love, though, is spending time with his three children: Kim Remy, London Vaught, Sommer Spain and his seven grandchildren.

Karen West
Karen West, and her husband Waylan, moved to The Woodlands in 1998. They have two children: Matthew and Kevin. Matthew lives in The Woodlands with his wife Jennifer and their children, Wendy and Andrew. Kevin and his wife Stacey reside in Las Vegas with their children, Cali and Kari Lynn. Along with being dedicated to her family, West has been involved in many organizations working quietly, efficiently and with great enthusiasm with no desire to be in the spotlight, according to colleagues and residents of The Woodlands, Nancy Martin and Liz Stacy.

West has a passion for education. She has served on the Board of Directors and in other leadership capacities for the Lone Star College Foundation since 1999. She has also served on the Site Based Committee for McCullough Junior High and The Woodlands College Park High School since 2000. For the past four years, West has been dedicated to mentoring young women in high school, serving as a positive role model.

West has served on the Board of Directors for the Center for the Performing Arts at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion as well as holding past Secretary and Vice President positions. She has also been on the Board of Directors from 2002 – 2005 for the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce; served on the Board of Directors from 1999 - 2002 along with other leadership roles for the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Center; and is a member of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, 2010, for The Woodlands United Methodist Church.

West is one of the founders of The Woodlands Bar Association (WBA) and has strongly promoted “Wills for Heroes”. In 2009, West and the WBA team provided basic estate plans for more than 30 heroes and their families totaling over 120 documents.

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation has been a dedicated community partner since moving to The Woodlands over eight years ago. After settling in, Anadarko immediately supported the “Anadarko Run Thru The Woods”, a Thanksgiving Day fundraiser that benefits several local charities including the South Montgomery County YMCA Partners Program.

Anadarko’s employees have held top-tier charitable campaigns, and have maintained record levels of community contributions, volunteer hours and leadership guidance benefiting numerous community and civic organizations. The company has shown years of support to the Montgomery County United Way and was named the 2009 Top Corporate Donor for the local agency and the fourth largest donor to the United Way of Greater Houston. In 2009, Anadarko was also named the largest overall corporate contributor to the Montgomery County Food Bank, providing nearly 100,000 equivalent pounds of food. Anadarko celebrated 10 years of leading corporate support to the Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity. Over the past 10 years, Anadarko has contributed more than 1,000 volunteers and nearly $500,000 to provide housing for Montgomery County families. Last year, the company was the third largest corporate donor to the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, collecting 729 blood units. Additionally, about 100 Anadarko volunteers teach and support three Conroe ISD elementary and middle schools through Junior Achievement.

Anadarko also has provided capital campaign contributions and in-kind services to organizations such as Montgomery County Women’s Center; has acted as a strong supporter of Interfaith of The Woodlands; hosted local book drives to benefit children; along with employees volunteering more than 30,000 hours in 2009 alone.

Hometown Hero and resident of The Woodlands, CJ Haynes commented, “If there is a need, whether it is for Habitat for Humanity, Conroe Independent School District or Hurricane Katrina/Rita, Anadarko is generally one of the first to step forward with financial assistance and volunteers. The organization prides itself not only on being a corporate leader but on being supportive of individuals, services and organizations that are the fabric of this community.”

Criteria for the selection of the Hometown Heroes included, but were not limited to:

- Positive role model
- History of volunteerism
- Sacrificing personal gain to achieve noble goals
- Leadership and courage
- Embodies the values of The Woodlands community; family values, importance of education, the arts and culture, environmental consciousness
- Dedication to public service

The Celebration of Excellence Honoring Hometown Heroes is the largest annual fundraiser for Interfaith of The Woodlands, the primary social services organization in the community. The event is sponsored by many businesses and organizations in The Woodlands. To purchase a table or make a donation, contact Mary Jo O’Neal, Interfaith’s Development Director.

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