Huggins gift helps Fort Bend Y kick off annual Partner’s campaign
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t the recent kick off of the YMCA’s annual Partners Campaign, the Fort Bend YMCA leadership announced that a pacesetting gift was again pledged by Bo and Amy Huggins. Earlier, Bo Huggins, President/CEO of Houston Distributing, announced that his family would be pledging $50,000 to the campaign for the support of the Y’s outreach programming. The gift marks the tenth year in a row that the Huggins family has made a pacesetting gift to the YMCA’s campaign. Over the last ten years, the Huggins family has donated over a quarter of a million dollars to the Y’s annual campaign. The YMCA Partners Campaign, which officially kicked off January 31st with a goal of raising $350,000, is an effort by the volunteers, supporters and staff of the YMCA to make sure that the non-profit
Ten Years of Y Support! - Pictured From Left To Right: Bo Huggins, Houston Distributing CEO; and Charlie Myer, YMCA Regional Advancement Officer.
mission of the YMCA is achieved. The mission or goal of the YMCA is to strive to provide all of its programs, services and memberships to everyone in the community regardless of their ability to afford it. During the campaign, which runs until March 31st,
dozens of Y volunteers will be soliciting financial support and telling the story of the Y’s efforts to provide their programming for all. “One hundred percent of the donations to the Partners Campaign go directly to program and membership scholarships as well as subsiding YMCA Outreach initiatives”, stated Keith Borgfeldt, 2013 Fort Bend Y Partners Chair. The YMCA is a 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit organization dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. It is expected that over 1,400 low-income youth and families will benefit from this year’s Fort Bend YMCA Partners Campaign funds. For more information on the Fort Bend YMCA or its annual Partners Campaign, go to www.ymcahouston.org . Fort Bend County is home to three YMCAs located in Missouri City, Katy and Richmond.
State legislators, transportation officials discuss the economic benefits I-69 provides Texas
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s Texas continues to lead the nation in job creation, ensuring the state’s infrastructure can withstand the boom in business is critical now more than ever. The Texas Department of Transportation has updated lawmakers on the progress of the Interstate 69 corridor and announced new federal designation of more than 28 miles of existing highway around Houston. Being developed on existing roadways as a critical artery for moving freight, I-69 will ultimately become a 1,600 mile-long highway stretching from Michigan to Texas. “I-69 represents a vital component in our thriving and growing economy, not just in eastern Texas or in South Texas but across the entire state” Gov. Rick Perry said. “The quality of our transportation
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system plays a decisive role when employers consider expanding or relocating here. That’s why we need to continue investing in infrastructure projects like I-69.” “Interstate 69 is important in providing safety, mobility and connectivity between rural and urban Texas” said Commissioner Jeff Austin, Texas Transportation Commission. “The Interstate links three major east- and west-Texas interstates: I-10, I-20 and I-30, and provides a critical national connection as well.” From north to south Texas, communities across the state will see the economic benefits of I-69. The interstate is expected to be a critical artery for moving agricultural, energy and industrial exports through the nation and beyond. It is also expected to attract more businesses to the Lone Star State. “Economic development, commerce, March 2013 H Fort Bend / Katy Business Journal
safety and quality of life are all tangible benefits Texans will experience with the development of I-69,” said Phil Wilson, TxDOT executive director. “The I-69 expansion can mean growth for communities in Texas and attract businesses that want to move products in all directions throughout Texas and the nation.” Additionally, due to its proximity to our sea ports, I-69 will serve as a vital artery for exporting Texas products. “Texas’ ports are perfectly positioned to make Texas a global gateway that will keep our economy booming for years to come and the connectivity I-69 provides is critical in making that a reality,” said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, chair of the Panama Canal Stakeholder Working Group and member of the I-69 Segment Committee.