TITLE: Congratulating the Universal City Volunteer Corps on receiving the 2025 Community Champion Award from the Governor's Volunteer Awards program.

SUMMARY: Congratulating the Universal City Volunteer Corps on receiving the 2025 Community Champion Award from the Governor's Volunteer Awards program.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Universal City Volunteer Corps is being presented with the 2025 Community Champion Award at the 41st Annual Governor's Volunteer Awards reception at the Governor's Mansion during National Volunteer Month in April; and WHEREAS, Administered by OneStar Foundation, the Governor's Volunteer Awards highlights the power of service to transform lives and communities; and WHEREAS, The Universal City Volunteer Corps is a coalition of four dedicated groups, Parks Partners, the Universal City Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, Friends of the Universal City Public Library, and Homes for Homeless Pets; together, they raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities in Universal City, a close-knit community with a population of 20,000; and WHEREAS, Parks Partners has raised six figures in nine years through its Pumpkin Patch event, which benefits 27 charities; and WHEREAS, Collaborating with the police department on community programs, the Universal City Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association assists with such initiatives as Blue Santa and the Citizens Police Academy; and WHEREAS, Friends of the Universal City Public Library raises funds to bolster essential library resources, improving access and services for all residents; and WHEREAS, Committed to the well-being of companion animals in need and to uniting them with loving families, Homes for Homeless Pets has provided nearly $500,000 to the city's animal shelter; and WHEREAS, Beyond fundraising, the groups work in other ways to support students, help animals, honor military families, and heighten civic pride; and WHEREAS, The members of the Universal City Volunteer Corps have demonstrated a lasting commitment to making their community a better place for all, and their accomplishments are richly deserving of this prestigious honor; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate the Universal City Volunteer Corps on receiving the 2025 Community Champion Award from the Governor's Volunteer Awards program and extend to its members sincere best wishes for continued success in their important endeavors; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Lujan Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 645 was adopted by the House on April 9, 2025, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House