Tyler

The Fourth Partner Foundation of Tyler and Bennett Chapel Family Outreach Ministries, of Center, will be recipients of the 25th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards, to be held today in Austin.

The award recognizes exceptional individuals or organizations committed to creating positive, long-lasting change.

The Fourth Partner Foundation will receive the Governor’s Community Capacity Builder award (private sector/business). Bennett Chapel has been recognized with the Community Motivator award. Fred Smith, president of Fourth Partner Foundation, said “Nothing encourages us more about the future of our community and our own work as a foundation than the competence, vision and leadership of our nonprofit community. We are grateful for this award and the friendship of those we have had the privilege to support.”

Dawn Franks, program officer of Fourth Partner, said the nomination for the award by members of Tyler‘s own nonprofit community was “wonderful and unexpected.” “We believe strongly in the work of our local nonprofits and are honored to be able to support their many endeavors.”

The efforts of Fourth Partner support the ability of nonprofits to “improve the lives of thousands of East Texans,” said Robert Bush, executive director of the East Texas Food Bank.

The food bank, Bethesda Health Clinic, East Texas Crisis Center, Leadership Tyler, PATH, the Tyler Civic Theatre and the Tyler Museum of Art chose to nominate the Fourth Partner Foundation, Bush said.

The work of Bennett Chapel Family Outreach Ministries, located in Center, reaches out to adopted children and community youth. Various projects that provide after-school programs, summer programs, family support, food distribution, tutoring and mentoring in partnership with churches and the Deep East Texas Council of Governments, is facilitated by the ministry.

“We are thrilled to receive the Governor’s Volunteer Award,” said Bishop W.C. Martin, of Bennett Chapel.

“We feel we have worked hard and are grateful for the honor.”