Each year, the City of League City recognizes two individuals who volunteer their time with a City department or program. These volunteers go above and beyond their roles, dedicating their time and talents to improve programs that serve our residents and make a difference in our community.
Below is information on the 2023 award winners. The awards they received are named after two long-time League City residents—Art Hewitt and Steve Jones—who spent their lives volunteering for the Fire Department and the Helen Hall Library respectively.
2023 Art Hewitt Volunteer Spirit Award Winner – Luba Chua
In late 2021, Luba Chua reached out to League City’s Parks and Recreation Department looking for a space to do public gardening. After meeting Luba, the department established a partnership with her and the League City Public Garden Club to utilize a space at Hometown Heroes Park. Over the last year and a half, Luba has led volunteers with the club to turn what used to be weeds and dirt into beautiful garden beds for the community to enjoy. The beds include everything from vegetables and a variety of pollinator plants to wildflowers, sunflowers, and more. In addition, the garden has recently added a focus on Texas native plants and enhancing the space as a habitat for local wildlife—including birds, bees, and butterflies.
Luba has also partnered with Hewitt’s Heroes to create an Adaptive Gardening Program. Once a week, individuals with special needs stop by to plant, water, and take care of a garden bed. Luba also has partnered with the Parks Operations Department to plant fig trees along the 5K Trail located at the park, which are regularly cared for by members of Hewitt’s Heroes.
2023 Steve Jones Inspiration Award Winner – Shari Ferguson
Shari Ferguson is no stranger to citizen engagement and serving our residents. She not only volunteers for two different City departments—the police and library services—but she is also well-known in the League City community for all her efforts. For 30 years Shari has led Faithful Friends Animal Assisted Therapy Ministry, which brings therapy dogs into schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and even to events—such as League City’s annual Health Fair and Holiday in the Park. She and her members also take part in Helen Hall Library’s Read to the Dogs Program, which is exactly what it sounds like. The weekly program connects children who are struggling readers and has them read out loud to the dogs to make them more comfortable and less embarrassed than they would be reading to a parent or teacher. Shari also volunteers at the library providing regular classes and programs for senior citizens on topics such as Medicaid, health insurance, financial advising, and more.
