Master Gardeners honor dedicated volunteers and interns at annual banquet

CONROE, Texas - The Montgomery County Texas Master Gardeners Christmas Luncheon & Intern Graduation, celebrated its 350 volunteers and interns Monday, December 7, at the Lone Star Convention Center, for their community service work.

The Master Gardener Association in partnership with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, conduct many essential studies and projects in wildlife areas which includes the William Goodrich Jones State Forest.

“This is the best education program around,” said John Warner, forest ranger for Texas A&M Forest Service. “It’s Texas' oldest program with 400 members.”

The event bestowed honors to the following recipients:

Joan Blum - Master Gardener of the Year
Marie Decker - Educator of the Year
Sharon Walker - Community Outreach Award
Danielle Dawson, Lucinda Owen, and Debra Stallings - GEM Awards..“Going the Extra Mile”
Acknowledged for Outstanding Contribution - Barbara Lopez
Recognized for her hard work and enthusiasm - Graduating intern, Patricia Chappell

The annual event also serves as a fundraiser to benefit the Angel Tree Prison Fellowship, a national organization that keeps parents who are incarcerated in prison, connected with their children through holiday presents. Founded in 1982 by an ex-prisoner who witnessed firsthand the strained relationship between prisoners and their children, Angel Tree has grown to become the largest national outreach specifically for the children of prisoners.

In addition to toy donations, a silent auction, and raffle, were part of the the event’s festivities.

To learn more about the Montgomery County Texas Master Gardener Association, visit the MCMGA website.

. For more information about Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, click on Texas A&M Agrilife Extension website.

There is a waiting list for classes, so sign up now.

Also follow the Texas A&M Forest Service and the William Goodrich Jones State Forest on Facebook at the links provided. To get involved immediately, join the group for the Christmas Bird Count at the W.G. Jones State Forest, Saturday, December 19, from 7:00 a.m. until noon. To sign-up, email Debbie Layer at birdwatcher51@yahoo.com and see the Christmas Bird Count Facebook page for more information.

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