Willie Piper, a stalwart of the Texas Foster Grandparent Program, is set to receive the Lifetime President’s Volunteer Service Award this Thursday for her unwavering commitment over three decades. Piper, who has racked up more than 50,000 hours assisting children, became a part of the program back in February 1994. At 92 years young, she continues to serve at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Probation Center, offering a comforting presence in court for those without family, and brightening mornings for the residents there with visits before their classes.
According to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's announcement, Piper's tenure with the Foster Grandparent Program has left a lasting mark on countless young lives. "Miss Willie has served as a mentor for other volunteers in the Foster Grandparent Program and inspired them to follow her wise counsel," Diane Rouda, the volunteer services coordinator for the Austin Foster Grandparent Program, shared in a statement. "With a kind and caring attitude, Miss Willie has never slowed down throughout her 30 years of service, even sending cards to the children she volunteered with during the pandemic."
The Foster Grandparent Program, supported by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, invites individuals who are 55 and over with limited incomes to mentor and build meaningful relationships with children facing various academic, social, or emotional challenges. These volunteers, like Piper, not only act as role models but also instill trust and offer unconditional support that could pivot a child's trajectory toward a brighter future.
The Lifetime President's Volunteer Service Award, to be bestowed upon Piper, is an accolade from AmeriCorps acknowledging the extraordinary contributions of volunteers to their communities and the nation at large. The heartfelt celebration for this tireless giver will take place on Feb. 29, at 2:30 p.m. at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Probation Center located at 2515 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX. Reporters looking to cover the event and honor Piper's three decades of service should RSVP by emailing Jennifer Ruffcorn. Additional details can be found on the Health and Human Services Commission's website.
