Celebrating The 2024 “Annie Award” Recipients

By Bonnie Kudlicki

Since 2009, the Richardson Real Heroes (RRH) mission has been to honor unsung exemplary volunteers whose work serves the Richardson Community, raise awareness of the organizations they serve, and promote volunteerism. Each year, RRH opens their nomination window inviting the public to submit qualified candidates. 2024 brought in the most nominations in RRH history, with impressive submissions coming from a wide variety of organizations and individuals. After careful evaluation, two outstanding RRH awardees were chosen.

For 20-plus years, Debbie has been a volunteer for the Richardson Fire Department. She leads the photography team capturing moments of firefighters saving property and life. She works at city events such as Wildflower, 4th of July, Fountain Festival, Trash Bash and Santa’s Village. Debbie completed Citizen Fire Academy (CFA) Class 9, then joined the CFA Alumni Association, for which she served as President and is still active. Debbie also assists at the Richardson Office of Emergency Preparedness.

Debbie has volunteered with the Richardson Police Department for more than 18 years, completed the Citizen Police Academy (CPA) with Class 25, and then served on the board for the CPA Alumni Association. She assists with special events such as National Night Out, Safety Fairs, and photography for the CPA classes.

Her volunteerism that began decades ago reaches beyond Richardson and has touched several organizations; Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Equest, the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, and Honor Flight, a program that pays tribute to veterans, including a flight to Washington D.C. to visit the nation’s memorials. Remarkably, Debbie does all this while holding down a full-time job.

For almost 17 years, Sandy has been a dedicated member of Richardson Police Department’s Volunteers in Police Service. He completed the Richardson Citizen Police Academy (CPA) Class 25, served on the CPA Alumni Association board, and remains an active member.

In 2015 he joined the Richardson Community Band and jumped headfirst into leadership as its president. He also plays with the Allen Community Band, New Kings of Swing, and the New Horizons Band, performing jazz and big band classics for the Richardson Senior Center, among other venues.

Sandy has been an integral part of the Building English Skills Together (BEST) program at Woodcreek Church, Richardson, where he teaches English and citizenship classes. “You just don’t find a volunteer with a heart any bigger than Sandy.” writes Kay Hurley, director of BEST.

A resident of Richardson’s Fairways of Sherrill Park, Sandy has served as president and on the board for their Homeowners Association. He now coordinates the Crime Watch Patrol.

Like many outstanding volunteers, Sandy’s service arms extend beyond Richardson. For 20 years, he has been a DFW Airport Ambassador. At age 88, Sandy rode his bicycle 100 miles in the “Great Cycle Challenge” to fight children’s cancer. At age 91, he credits his longevity to “staying positive and volunteering.” In his own words, “It’s never too late to enjoy life and serve your fellow man.”