Dr. Mona Alnaeemi and Neil Stampe Honored at 15th Annual Celebration

By Bonnie Kudlicki

On Thursday, August 28, the Richardson Real Heroes 15th Annual Awards Celebration was a sold-out success at the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts. The event honored two exceptional recipients—Dr. Mona Alnaeemi and Neil Stampe—for their extraordinary commitment to volunteerism. Guests included the Richardson mayor, council members, city manager, and chief of police. The evening festivities, which included a celebration of prior real heroes, featured special guest, Texas-based singer, songwriter, and speaker Sara Hickman.

Charles Eisemann presented each honoree with the coveted 2025 Annie Award for their outstanding volunteer work. Further cementing their impact, Congresswoman Julie Johnson bestowed each with a Congressional Commendation for their volunteer achievements. We are incredibly proud to celebrate the work of these two outstanding individuals who exemplify the spirit of community service in Richardson.

Dr. Mona Alnaeemi receives the 2025 Annie Award for three decades of life-changing volunteer work.

Real Hero: Mona Alnaeemi, Ph.D.

Mona and her family sought refuge from Kurdistan, north of Iraq, during the Saddam Hussein regime. Placed in Richardson upon arrival, they received help from a nonprofit group aiding refugees, which immediately compelled Mona to pay back by dedicating her life to volunteering. For 30 years, the impact of her selfless work has been life-changing for countless people in Richardson and beyond.

With a Ph.D. in Human Services, Mona is now a Human Services Board Certified Practitioner and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. She leverages her expertise to steer volunteer clients through myriad systems to find food, housing, school, counseling, English language instruction, and critical emotional support in a new city. Her ability to communicate in four languages allows her to connect with and serve a diverse population.

Since 2010 at the Islamic Association of North Texas, she established a critical social service line, offering support to single mothers, widows, new refugees, and low-income families, helping them build sustainable, self-sufficient lives. Mona also co-founded the Dallas Institute for Immigrant Women in 2018 and serves actively with the Richardson Police Department and the Richardson Civil Board.

Real Hero: Neil Stampe

Neil Stampe, honored for 30 years of impactful volunteerism, including his work with Leadership Richardson and Network of Community Ministries.

Neil retired at 49, but instead of resting, he committed to giving back. For 30 years and counting, he continues to contribute to the Richardson community in highly impactful ways.

His volunteer ‘career’ began in 1995 when he joined the Richardson Rotary Club, holding many positions and aiding in a multitude of successful service projects. He was just sworn in as their 2025 treasurer.

A proud graduate of Leadership Richardson’s Class 12 in 1996, Neil has kept that pride alive by acting as an advisor, a ‘rock’ (mentor), and curriculum chair for 11 subsequent classes, remaining an active member of the Alumni Association.

In 2003, Neil added the Network of Community Ministries Handyman (part of Seniors’ Net) to his volunteer tool belt, doing no-cost home and safety repairs for seniors and the disabled. He later joined the Network’s Board of Directors, successfully assisting their growth through a $6.3 million fundraising campaign that secured their current headquarters. He was also a co-founder of a similar program, First Richardson Helpers, at First Methodist Richardson Church in 2016.

Support Richardson Volunteerism

Read Mona and Neil’s full biography, see their videos, and view awards celebration photos by visiting richardsonrealheroes.com. While there, please consider donating to the only city-wide program dedicated to volunteerism. RRH is an all-volunteer nonprofit 501(C)(3) that relies on donors to fund its program.