Donna Dickinson enjoys giving back.
The Aledo woman has volunteered with the Weatherford School District for the past 30 years, and her generosity of time and spirit was recently rewarded.
Dickinson received the 2024 Heroes of Children Award for District 11 on Sept. 13 in Austin, one of only 15 people in Texas to be selected for the honor by the State Board of Education.
"I was nominated by Charlotte LaGrone from Weatherford ISD," Dickinson said. "I have always loved helping in the community, especially with children. I have served on the Weatherford ISD Education Foundation, Parker County CPS Board, Weatherford Chamber of Commerce board, Parker County Appraisal Board and the Parker County Committee on Aging. I believe Parker County is an amazing place to live and help out when there is a need."
According to the State Board of Education, the award honors volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to student learning or who have demonstrated sustained periods of involvement and support of public education.
Dickinson, 62, grew up in Weatherford and moved to Aledo in 2019.
She regularly volunteers at the annual school supply drives, helped to revamp the Kangaroo Stadium Spirit Store into a thriving enterprise run by Career and Technical Education students and helped establish a resource room for students in need.
"I enjoy helping people and working to make Parker County an even better place to live," Dickinson said. "I have worked for Vickie and Jerry Durant since 1983 and have learned through the years it is better to give than receive and support your community."
Dickinson said she is helping with a couple of different projects this school year.
"My mom Patsy Davis was a WISD teacher and my best friend and sister, Cheryl Bullock is a crisis counselor at WISD Ninth Grade Center," Dickinson said. "This summer my sister went to a conference and came back with a great idea to help middle and high school students who need clothes and hygiene products. She calls it the Roo-Tique. I am also helping her with a garden at the courtyard at the Ninth Grade Center."
Dickinson said receiving the Heroes of Children Award was a great honor for her, and with Christmas right around the corner, the Aledo woman said it is important to give of oneself wherever and however possible.
"I love the holidays, and I know growing up in a loved family atmosphere is not always the case,” Dickinson said. “So helping children and seniors makes me blessed."
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