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SALVATION ARMY GIVES
TO DESERVING CHILDREN
The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Ambassadors held their 18th Annual Brighter Futures Awards Banquet on March 7, 2024 at 6:30pm. The event was held at River Oaks Country Club. The evening honored and awarded participants of the year-long Youth of the Year Program. 52 competition winners were granted over $200,000 in scholarships to attend college or trade school and funds are held by The Salvation Army until the student’s graduate high school.
Chairing the event for the second year in a row were Frances Howard and Mary Sage. This year esteemed long timed supporters of the event were community leaders Gina and Saib Saour. In 2020, Gina Saour assumed the pivotal role of Youth of the Year Brighter Future Awards Banquet Chair and initiated the Youth of the Year Ambassador Program. A testament to her visionary leadership and commitment to nurturing the potential of our youth, she has volunteered many Saturday mornings helping students one-on-one with essays. Saib Saour is a distinguished leader and President of Benchmark Engineering and engaged member of the St. Martin’s Episcopal Church community. The Saour’s believe, “An investment in a student today means a “brighter future” for tomorrow. Bringing hope for Youth of the Year students and helping them to achieve their goals to have a Bright Future is what Ambassadors are working to achieve”.
Frances Howard went on to say “As Ambassadors, we raise funds for scholarships for the students, and provide training for public speaking, basic business etiquette skills, extensive essay writing and more. The students participate in the annual YOY competition to learn valuable life skills, earn and build their scholarship funds as they compete each year in the YOY Program beginning as early as 12 years of age.”
The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club YOY Ambassadors raise funds for scholarships for the students, mentor the youth, provide training for public speaking, basic business etiquette skills, extensive essay writing and more.
Students who participate in the annual YOY competition form valuable relationships with mentors, learn key life and business skills, and build scholarship funds for college or a trade school beginning as early as 12 years of age.
A BIG THANK YOU to all those who support The Salvation Army “Youth of the Year” Program.
Each year we are privileged to honor leaders in our community who are making a powerful impact helping others with their time, talents, and service. This year our Youth of the Year Honorees are friends to most everyone in the Youth of the Year Scholarship Program. They both demonstrate a love for God, for one another, and their family and friends. It is with great pleasure that we introduce our esteemed 2024 Youth of the Year Honorees—Gina and Saib Saour.
Gina Saour is a dynamic leader who is making an indelible mark on our community. In 2014, she served as the President of SAWA. In 2020, Gina assumed the pivotal role of Youth of the Year Brighter Futures Awards Banquet Chair. She has volunteered many Saturday mornings helping our students one on one to write their essays. Gina and Saib are both committed to nurturing these brilliant young minds to be our leaders of tomorrow.
Gina initiated the Youth of the Year Ambassador Program, and it all started only four years ago. Gina is a testament to her visionary leadership and commitment to nurturing the potential of our youth.
In 2021, Gina and Saib were honored at Texas Children’s Cancer Center as Community Champions, and in 2022, Gina, and her daughter Carolyn Mohsenzadeh, co-chaired the Seventh Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation's Ladies for Literacy Guild. Their leadership played a crucial role in advancing literacy initiatives in our community. Gina was President of the Blue Bird Circle and has served on the Altar Guild at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. Gina is co-chairing the Partners Luncheon for the University of Texas School of Nursing in the Spring of 2024. Collaborating with YOY Ambassador Carolyn Drake, she continues to contribute her expertise to impactful initiatives, leaving an enduring legacy of service.
Saib Saour is a distinguished leader and the President of Benchmark Engineering, exemplifying excellence in his professional endeavors. Beyond his achievements in the boardroom, Saib is an active and engaged member of the community, particularly at St. Martin's Episcopal Church. Their loving family includes three children: Jacob, Carolyn and William and five soon to be six adorable grandchildren.
Together, Gina and Saib Saour, as the 2024 Youth of the Year Honorees, embody the spirit of leadership, community engagement, and a shared commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our youth and our community.