Hometown Heroes: Robbin Mallett

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By Joan Frances –

Albert Schweitzer said, “Even if it’s a little thing, do something for those who have need of a man’s help, something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it. For, remember, you don’t live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.” Fort Bend County is fortunate to have a volunteer who unselfishly gives valuable hours to helping others in the community. Robbin Mallett donates her time to multiple non-profit organizations to improve the quality of life for children.

Married for 23 years, Mallett, her husband, Bill, and their two sons, Liam and Logan, moved back to Sugar Land in 2011 after living in Thailand and Indonesia for eight years on assignment with Chevron. From 1995 to 1999, Mallett worked for the City of Sugar Land as the City’s first public relations coordinator. Upon returning to Fort Bend, she joined Christ Church Sugar Land and began volunteering with Fort Bend Family Promise, a non-profit that provides shelter, meals and comprehensive support to families without homes. Mallett recalled, “My goal was to use my background in public relations to educate the community about family homelessness and how Family Promise is engaging local congregations to serve those children and their parents.”

In May 2015, Mallett helped organize a Fort Bend Family Promise reunion that enabled current and graduated families to share their stories, celebrate their successes and find new resources to help them continue their path to independence. “Getting back into a house or apartment is really just the first step in the journey to self-sufficiency for homeless families. That’s why Fort Bend Family Promise provides case management services for two years, helping to break the cycle of poverty.” Mallett serves as vice president of the board and was instrumental in helping raise funds for construction of the organization’s Day Center in Missouri City, which opened last year. She was also a member of the 2014 Fort Bend Leadership For Non-Profit Excellence class.

Three years ago, Mallett began volunteering with Fort Bend Cares. “Fort Bend Cares grew out of my church and Boy Scout Troop 441, my sons’ troop. It was founded by Dr. Bob McClendon and Jim Rice to raise supplemental funds for local non-profits serving disadvantaged children. I like that Fort Bend Cares has a very thorough, volunteer-driven grant review process, so donors can be confident their contributions stay in the community and go to programs making the greatest impact.”

Her first volunteer role with Fort Bend Cares was to help publicize the Doggone Fun Run in 2015. She came up with the creative concept of having “spokesdogs” to promote the event and served as co-chair for the last two years. Mallett and her committee of 14 members spent countless hours to orchestrate this year’s event, which raised more than $20,000. “This year, we partnered with Sienna Plantation’s Canine Carnival, so the runners were able to compete in our 5K, 5K with dogs or one-miler and then stay to enjoy rides, games, dog performances and more.” She has also helped with social media and photography for other Fort Bend Cares’ events.

“Working with Fort Bend Cares and Fort Bend Family Promise has allowed me to view both sides of the equation, helping raise money for the foundation and then seeing how the grants really help ease the burden of fundraising for non-profits with small staffs. In the end, life is better for everyone.” When she isn’t volunteering, Mallett is an avid bird and wildlife photographer and is preparing for a mission trip to Kenya in August.

Mallett’s work is significantly appreciated by both organizations. Thank you for your time, talent and devotion to such significant causes.