Patrons for Bellaire Parks recently appointed Terry Leavitt-Chavez as their new president, who will serve through May 2011.
PATRONS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising consciousness to the value and need for parks and green space.
Leavitt-Chavez is a longtime Bellaire resident and is a planning director for Stage Stores. She has lived in the Bellaire community for eight years.
“I am thrilled to lead a diverse board filled with members whose families use Bellaire’s Parks and representatives of local businesses; this is an experienced team with a long history of involvement in the community,” Leavitt-Chavez said. ”We look forward to raising funds in the upcoming year for the current mission of developing Bellaire Town Square to feature an outdoor pavilion, and a paved plaza with interactive water feature and skate park.”
Joining Leavitt-Chavez on the board include Cassie Neumann, vice president of administration; Randy McKinney, vice president of development; Kristi Coffey, vice president of publicity; Pat Durio, treasurer; Josie Brown, secretary and Betty Bellomy, past president.
Additional voting members of the board are Melinda O’Connell, Diane McLaughlan, Karen Erwin, Kathy Biddle, Dietra Aronack Fike, Karen Vine Fuller, David Onufer, Victoria Aguilar Suarez, Tassy Beasley, Chriss Jesse, Leslie Manner and Erin Kimzey.
Non-voting members include Diane Hasell, Sharon Veldman, Dave Stevenson, and Toni Franklin. Mayor Cindy Siegel and Councilmember Mandy Nathan are advisory committee members.
Some of PATRONS accomplishments in the past year include fundraising for the development of Bellaire Town Square.
“PATRONS needs the continued support from the Bellaire community to progress and see a completed Bellaire Town Square that will provide a q community for our residents,” said Past President Betty Bellomy. “It has been through the support of Bellaire’s residents and business community that we have been able to meet our past goals. PATRONS would like to keep moving forward with our commitment to Bellaire Town Square. Future donations will go towards the Skate Park, Pavilion, Great Lawn and Trails. These features, along with the Aquatics Center come a lasting that will add merit to our city.”
PATRONS and the Bellaire community have many upcoming events like the “Wine and Tapas Gala” scheduled for Oct. 1 and the “Tents in Town” urban camp-out in the spring.
Proceeds from these events will go towards Bellaire Town Square.
