Volunteer of the Year Awards honor community's best

" One of our own"
Elaine Austin-Palmer

The Volunteer Center at United Way hosted the 21st annual Volunteer of the Year Awards (VOYA) dinner Friday, June 25, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in dowtown San Antonio.

More than 830 people attended the Night of a Thousand Stars program to thank local citizens whose good works help improve the community. Since 1989, more that 3,000 individuals have been honored at VOYA events.

For 30 years, Elaine Austin-Palmer has faithfully volunteered at the San Antonio Salvation Army. Her passion for the work and compassion for the people is legend. When Austin-Palmer was six, her father died leaving her mother to fend for the family. The first Christmas was difficult. But a knock on the door on Christmas Eve brought not only gifts to the hurting family, but a long-time love for The Salvation Army.

Over the years, Austin-Palmer has given of her time, talents, resources and heart. She shares her public relations expertise; recruits board members, volunteers and Bible Study groups; and attends every special event of the Army. She has overseen the care of several aging individuals, who tell of her faithfulness in their relationships. She also finds time to volunteer for the San Antonio Park Foundation, United Way and the Masters Leadership Program.

Her devotion to the community is obvious and her genuine love The Salvation Army shines on in very task she takes on. She wouldn ’t have it any other way -- and neither would the Army.