Posted on Jan 27, 2019 in
HOMETOWN HEROES
By Joan Frances –
Jill Curtis
One of the most selfless acts of giving to another human being is to be a volunteer. For 29 years, Jill Curtis has devoted her free time to helping others, and she continues to help the less fortunate in Fort Bend County and beyond.
Curtis met her husband, Sandy, when she was 13 years-old in Rhode Island. She attended college at Cornell University earning a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration. She married Sandy after college and moved to Sugar Land 27 years ago, soon after her daughter, Alycia (29) was born. The Curtis’ also have a son, Brian (27). Sandy is an environmental attorney with Chevron, and after they moved to the area, they became involved in the organization of a new Episcopal church that met for many years at Clements High School – Holy Cross. Curtis served for a number of years on the Vestry and as Senior Warden and chaired the Capital Campaign for the building. About 15 years ago, they moved to Christ United Methodist Church where she volunteered in many areas such as front door greeter, welcome caller, Habitat for Humanity and on the long-range planning committee.
Bob McClendon, Jill Curtis and Jim Rice.
One of the many organizations Curtis has been affiliated with is Child Advocates. “This is one of the organizations that impassions me, and I served on the Child Advocates Advisory Board for many years. I cannot imagine a more worthy cause – improving the life of abused children. Fort Bend Cares has been my primary focus since soon after its inception in 2004. Dr. Bob McClendon and Jim Rice founded the organization to address needs in our community for children and families. For the first four years, we were entirely volunteer run, and then I became our first Executive Director. This worthy organization has been a perfect fit for me as it benefits disadvantaged children all throughout our community.”
Curtis enjoys the fact that financial assistance is given to 20 plus different local nonprofits each year through Fort Bend Cares. This allows the organizations to impact a huge number of lives in a myriad of ways. “Personally, I love getting out in the community and developing relationships with the staff and volunteers of so many groups,” said Curtis. “The Fort Bend Cares structure includes the Grant Committee, a group of 25 or so diverse volunteers who are charged with the responsibility of evaluating the 30 to 60 applications that are submitted each year. I served on and chaired the committee, and I love the opportunity to interact with all the other nonprofits. I remember the first time I stood up at our annual grants reception where we distribute the checks and gazed at all of the faces looking back at me. There were executive directors, board members and various assorted staff representing 35 nonprofits in attendance. It was humbling and very emotional to reflect on how much good is done in our community by all of these people. I am forever impressed by the depth of commitment and compassion and the volumes of good works done by so many here in Fort Bend County. We really do live in an amazing place!”
As a result of Sandy’s work at Chevron, the couple recently accepted a move to Jakarta, Indonesia following a 15-month stint in Singapore, where Curtis is continuing her volunteering crusade. She is a firm believer in “to those who are given much . . . much is expected.”
Thank you, Jill Curtis, for your hard work and philanthropic devotion. We look forward to you coming back to Sugar Land full time to deepen your entrenchment in our fabulous community.
Classic Chevy Sugar Land
13115 Southwest Freeway • Sugar Land, TX 77478
(281) 491-9000
www.classicchevysugarland.com
