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Greater Fort Worth PRSA Chapter Attendees Create 200 Blessing Bags During Monthly Luncheon

By Tamara Michalenko Terry, APR

The Greater Fort Worth Public Relations Society of America chapter (Greater Fort Worth PRSA) had a twist to their monthly luncheon meeting held May 7, 2025, at Tarleton State Fort Worth in Crowley, Texas. Texas Adventist Community Services (Texas ACS), a non-profit organization based in Keene, Texas, brought supplies for attendees to create 200 Blessings Bags full of hygiene-related supplies and towels. Texas ACS assists community service events and serves in times of disaster. They work with volunteers year-round to create these bags that are distributed to people experiencing homelessness.

“Our members love finding ways to give back to the community,” Reggie Johnson, Greater Fort Worth PRSA president and director of communications, Division of Student Affairs, for the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, shared. “They always jump at the opportunity to get involved in service! We are so grateful to Bo and Deborah Gendke and Texas ACS for facilitating this activity that really adds a dose of perspective to one’s sense of purpose. It tied nicely with the featured presentation.”

Alana Hefner, a professional coach and vice president of career services within the Texas State Technical College – System, spoke about purpose. She designed her presentation to be “an intentional blend of silence, discovery, reflection and discussion” as she had attendees reflect on different questions individually, in pairs and in groups. The questions were designed to assist in clarifying one’s purpose. “Passion plus talent equals purpose,” she shared adding that “Purpose blooms when talent and passion are used in service to others.”

“I was excited to learn the makeup of this group with having such a natural connection to purpose made this flow especially well,” Hefner added.

“What a great way to kick off and finish a PRSA meeting—with service to others,” Sarah Maben, APR, assistant professor for the Strategic Communication department at Bob Schieffer College of Communication at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, stated. “I even made a few new connections through our assembly line fun of making care kits for those in need. Hefner gave us the wonderful gift of a guided reflection. I say a gift because we don’t always carve out that time. As strategic communicators, we’re always providing this type of guided counsel for our organizations.”

“What an inspiring presentation,” said Matt Brockman, communications director for the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. “Giving consideration in a quiet way to my passions and talents provides a renewed perspective on what’s important in life and how I can better fulfill my purpose.” Reflecting on the Blessing Bags assembly, Brockman shared, “A feeling of joy filled my heart with each bag I stuffed knowing it would make a difference in the life of someone that is struggling. Great meeting from beginning to end.”

“It was a pleasure to bring the supplies for the communicators to complete the Blessing Bags,” Bo Gendke, Texas ACS Director, shared. “There has been a lot of demand lately, so the Blessing Bags have been going out as fast as volunteers can make them. It is fun to see people of all ages fill the bags as we take the supplies to schools and organizations.”

“It was a simple project, but an important one,” Kyler Hardegree, communications assistant for the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, shared. “I was happy to help, and it felt good knowing these hygiene packets could make a real difference for someone in need. The presentation reminded me that sometimes, all it takes is a new perspective to find purpose in where you are and where you’re headed.”

Adding to the fun of the meeting, Katherine Curtis and Maria Gregorio from Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, Inc. brought Girl Scouts cookie boxes, including crowd-favorite Thin Mints, to share with attendees.

It feels like we are keeping the community service focus going as the next Greater Fort Worth PRSA chapter luncheon meeting happens to be scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Meals on Wheels. “Guests are welcome,” Johnson added. “We have a great group of professionals to connect with, and we would like to have you join us.”

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Tamara Michalenko Terry, APR, is the community service chair for the Greater Fort Worth PRSA and director for events and editorial services for the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists based in Alvarado, Texas.

Greater Fort Worth PRSA Member Named to National Ambassador Team

We are thrilled and proud to share that Dr. Kay L. Colley, APR, has been named to the inaugural cohort of PRSA Ambassadors.

The PRSA Ambassadors, an extension of the national Public Relations Society of America organization, will help elevate the role of communications and public relations and inspire colleagues and support professionals at every career level. With 18,000+ members, PRSA is the leading nonprofit association for communication and public relations professionals.

Dr. Colley is a professor and chair of the mass communication department at Texas Wesleyan University. She is an accredited public relations professional with 20+ years of academic and  industry experience spanning health care public relations, advertising, and news. She is  president-elect of the Greater Fort Worth Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Follow her online for PRSA news and updates:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaycolley/

X: @kaycolley

For more information about the Greater Fort Worth Chapter of PRSA and upcoming initiatives, visit https://fortworthprsa.org.