Posted on Jun 30, 2017 in
HOMETOWN HEROES
Donna Worstell.
By Joan Frances –
Many young Americans choose to join the military after their high school education. Our Community Salutes – Fort Bend (OCSFB) is a local, non-profit organization helping the Fort Bend community recognize, honor and support high school seniors and their parents who plan to enlist in the U.S. Armed Services after graduation. For the past five years, Donna Worstell has devoted her time to making this organization a success.
Donna, her husband Earl, and their blended family of five children have lived in Fort Bend County for more than 28 years. Most of the children are grown, but they still have one son attending high school. Worstell is retired from the Information Technology Department of Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, and her involvement with
OCSFB began in 2013 when her daughter brought the national version of the organization to Fort Bend County as part of a Girl Scout Gold Award project. Worstell explained, “My daughter, Bonnie, had two friends who were graduating and enlisting in the Marines. She was upset because her friends received negative responses when they told others that they were enlisting after graduation. Determined to do something about it, she went online and found an organization called Our Community Salutes. She called them to ask if she could start a chapter in Fort Bend, and they gave her some advice. She planned and executed the event, which was a great success. When it was over, volunteers and supporters wanted to start talking about ‘next year.’ That was when I really got involved. I moved from volunteer to organizer.”
Donna Worstell speaking on behalf of Our Community Salutes Fort Bend at Constellation Field.
By the time the inaugural event was over, Worstell had fallen in love with the concept. “I feel that this event provides something meaningful and necessary to an entire group of school kids and their parents. This is something that no one is doing: recognizing those young men and women for a choice that keeps us free to make choices of our own. We also applaud the parents for supporting their children’s decision. As a parent, I know that I am proud of what my children have accomplished and chosen to do in life. Parents of enlisting kids are rightfully proud of what their children have chosen to do.
Congressman Pete Olson and Nikolai Browning, a Marine Corps recruit from Kempner High School.
As a community member, I am proud of them too! My favorite part of our annual recognition and celebration event is when the new recruits walk across the stage. Some are solemn, some are grinning ear to ear and others are cocky, ‘popping’ their collar and strutting over to shake the hand of the dignitary that is giving them their Challenge Coin. It is heartwarming to see the look of pride on the parents’ faces, and I am proud that we have a hand in recognizing the decision these young people have made.”
Our Community Salutes – Fort Bend is a grassroots organization that has formed a non-profit group. It is gaining recognition for its work to serve the students and their families with resources as they pursue their military career. Worstell added, “The essence of this organization is in the name: Our Community Salutes. It is not just me, not just our county officials or school systems; it is all of us being the first to say ‘thank you.’”
In addition to her commitment to OCSFB, Worstell is a Fort Bend Junior League Sustainer and active in both her church and her son’s school. She is a member of the Houston Area Army Community Relations Team and a volunteer with the Houston Youth Symphony. Thank you, Donna Worstell, for supporting our young Americans fighting for our freedom and honoring them with your service to others.
