Trees of Hope is honored to be recognizing such an outstanding couple, Martha and Dennis McGuire at our gala this year. Their generosity to both Trees of Hope and Star of Hope is held in high regard. They are the first to acknowledge life's blessings of a loving thirty-seven year marriage, two beautiful daughters, six happy grandchildren, and prosperous business opportunities.

Denny and Marty have been actively involved with Star of Hope for more than twelve years, including nine years as Board members. During that time they have been very involved and very blessed to be a part of the lives changed at Star of Hope. One of those lives was Denny's sister, Kelly. Seven years ago, Kelly was addicted to prescription drugs and homeless in Mesa, Arizona. After exhausting other alternatives, Kelly was brought to Houston and Star of Hope. In what seemed to be a hopeless last ditch effort to save Kelly's life, the Star of Hope and the power of God, transformed Kelly's life. She graduated from the Transitional Living program after eleven months and has been drug and alcohol free ever since. Like so many other people, they have seen the benefits of Star of Hope, not only in other families, but in their own family. Obviously, Denny and Marty remain big believers and active supporters of Star of Hope.

We hope you will join us at our gala on November 12, 2011 so you can meet this wonderful couple.

Longtime Board of Trustees member, Advisory Board member, Guild member and past Gala chair June Waggoner was unanimously elected as a Lifetime Board of Trustees member at the Trees of Hope 2011 Annual meeting. June has been active with Trees of Hope in one capacity or another for fifteen years. We so appreciate June Waggoner continuing to share her wisdom, generosity, and hands on support with Trees of Hope and Star of Hope to help Houston's homeless.

For 2011, Trees of Hope added Elisabeth Bickham, Pepper Edens, Margaret Hill, Leda Netland and Sharon Schwartz to its Board of Trustees. And past president Leigh Smith, having served two terms on the board, moved to the Advisory Board with Millette Sherman. Thank you ladies for your willingness to serve Trees of Hope and its mission to support the homeless served by Star of Hope.

This year four more dedicated people have joined our Guild as Lifetime members, bringing the total to 14 Lifetime Members in just three years. Trees of Hope appreciates these members offering the highest financial support and special commitment to the Guild. Our Lifetime Membership includes Elisabeth Bickham, Cindi Colvin, Candace Dickerson, Jennifer Ducote, Bonnie Fallin, Cindy Crane Garbs, Carol Gunn, Sunny Haik, Jo Ann Petersen, Bobbie Sanborn, Rachel Schaeffer, Elizabeth Stevenson, Lisa Stoika, and Donna Uliva. We hope this group will continue to grow and help.