Ray And Vivian Pinard Are Honorees For 28th Annual Community Enrichment Award

Two of Galveston's most revered citizens - Ray and Vivian Pinard - will be honored as recipients of the prestigious 28th Annual Leonora Kempner Thompson Community Enrichment Award on Saturday, March 23 at The Grand 1894 Opera House. Sponsored by, and benefiting The Grand, this event begins at 7pm and will include a cocktail reception, dinner on stage, and an award presentation. Honorary Co-chairs for this year's event are Gail and Armin Cantini and Donna and David Lang.

"It goes without saying that Ray and Vivian Pinard are, indeed, the epitome of what this Community Enrichment Award is all about. They have generously and tirelessly given to this community in so many positive ways and continue to share their many God-given talents, enthusiasm and love on a daily basis. How blessed Galveston is to have both of these extraordinary people as an integral part of our community and how fortunate we are at The Grand to have the opportunity to honor them," stated Maureen Patton, Executive Director of The Grand 1894 Opera House

A Vermont native and proud first-generation immigrant of French Canadian parents, Ray's career and life-long commitment to serve God began following his ordination with a small Catholic order specializing in education and missions. His first mission was to serve in the barrios of Caracas, Venezuela, where he met "the love of his life" - Vivian, a Houstonian, who was there doing mission work under the auspices of the Mission Board of the Presbyterian Church. They married in 1972 and together began a new mission project as the ecumenical team directing a community center in the town of Guarenas, Venezuela where they served till 1977. In 1978, they returned to the U.S., and chose to make Galveston their new home.

Ray began his career in Galveston at Edgewater Methodist Retirement Community( now known as The Meridian), while Vivian continued her profession as an educator by first teaching English as a Second Language at Galveston College and serving as an associate in campus ministry at Texas A&M University Galveston. In 2017, Vivian retired after 25 years as Executive Director of the Permanent Endowment Fund of Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church. Currently, Ray is Executive Director of Galveston Island Meals on Wheels and serves as associate pastor for Hispanic ministries at Moody Methodist Church. Ray's commitment to serve the Galveston community includes his four-decade membership in the Rotary Club of Galveston as a RYLA leader and Paul Harris Fellow, as well as serving on the Boards of the Red Cross, Clean Galveston, and the Galveston Ministerial Association where he leads the annual Ball High School Baccalaureate. Vivian has long been recognized for her volunteer service to United Way/Galveston, The Jesse Tree, Moody Early Childhood Center, and Galveston ISD Education Foundation, as well as numerous other organizations.

The Community Enrichment Award originated from a desire on the part of the Trustees of the Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund to honor Leonora Kempner (Nonie) Thompson on the occasion of her retirement as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Kempner Fund. She had served on the Board as a Trustee and Secretary/Treasurer for thirty-four years and then for four years as Chairman, succeeding her brother, Harris L. Kempner.

Because of Ms. Thompson's active participation, dedication, and commitment to her community, the Trustees of the Kempner Fund voted to designate a contribution to The Grand 1894 Opera House to be used as the nucleus of a revolving fund to assist in underwriting an annual special event to raise funds for the organization's many vital programs and operations.

In 1992, The Grand's Board of Directors chose to establish an annual event to honor an individual or individuals who had contributed to the enrichment of the community in the spirit of Leonora Kempner Thompson. They voted to name the annual award in her honor and selected her as the first recipient.

Past recipients of the award, in addition to Mrs. Thompson, are Cynthia and George Mitchell, Edna and Bill Levin, Mrs. Frances Moody Newman, Mr. Shearn Moody, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Moody, Sr.; Dennis Miller, Lyda Ann Quinn Thomas, Susan and Johnny Walker, Ruth Kempner, Diane and Marion Duzich, Paige and Tilman Fertitta, Pat and Fred Burns, Maureen and Larry Patton, Margaret and Jim Earthman, Mary Ann and Jack Stobo, Gerry and Gene Hornstein and Lynn and Armin Cantini, Brenda Levy Hutchings, Harris L. Kempner, Jr. and Hetta Towler Kempner - "Shrub and Peaches", E. Burke Evans, Mary Ellen and Chuck Doyle, Cindy and John L. Sullivan and Susanne and Gerald Sullivan, Susan Lipnick Lynch and Robert L.K. Lynch, Drs. Sharon and Ben Raimer, the Honorable Craig Eiland, Janice and Victor Pierson, Francisco "Paco" Vargas, B.J. and Buddy Herz, and Gina Spagnola.

The black tie event is open to the public. To request an invitation, purchase tickets, or for more information, call The Grand at 409.765.1894 or 800.821.1894. The Grand, located at 2020 Postoffice Street in the Cultural Arts District in historic downtown Galveston, is recognized as "The official Opera House of the State of Texas." All major credit cards accepted.

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