Mental Health Association presents Bell Ringer Awards

Mental Health America of Fort Bend County (MHAFBC) presented five individuals with Bell Ringer awards for their help in promoting mental wellness throughout the community. From left are MHAFBC Board Chair Pat Hogue; award recipients Theresa Fawvor, Sandra Buffolano, Judge Ron Pope, Susan Krause and Pat Sumner; and MHAFBC Executive Director Theresa Kopnicky. (Staff photo by Russell Autrey)

Five individuals were honored Friday for their work on behalf of mental wellness in Fort Bend County.

Mental Health of Fort Bend County Executive Director Theresa Kopnicky and Board Chair Pat Hogue distributed the awards at the annual Beacon of Hope Banquet at Safari Texas Ranch in Richmond.

“The award is for people who go above and beyond in promoting mental wellness in the county,” said Kopnicky. “Every year, the board honors those people with Bell Ringer awards.”

The first recipient was Pat Sumner, who received the award for advocacy. She and her husband Ken volunteer with the National Alliance for Mental Illness and the Depression Support Alliance. The couple first became acquainted with the programs after one of their sons was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

In the School Personnel category, Sandra Buffolano of Fort Bend Independent School District was presented with an award for her work as a licensed specialist in school psychology. For five years, she has worked at the only Tourette Syndrome camp in Texas, and she is the author of “Managing Tourette Syndrome: A Workbook for Kids with Tic Disorders.” It was published for the mental health community in 2003, and is soon to be released nationally as a trade book under the title “Coping With Tourette Syndrome.”

Community volunteer Susan Krause was honored for her work with Dulles elementary, middle and high school PTOs, raising funds for the school and promoting awareness of mental wellness among its students in the process.

As director of the Memorial Hermann Psychiatric Response Team, Theresa Fawvor received the award for the Behavioral Health Provider category. She has also been honored by the hospital for her work with the team, and is dedicated to guiding its members through city- and state-wide obstacles when it comes to limited psychiatric resources.

Ron Pope, 328th District County judge, received the award for the Law Enforcement category for his work in promoting mental health in Fort Bend County. The Bell Ringer award is symbolic of the freedom from the shackles of mental illness.

“I want to express my gratitude for all the work these recipients have done for the community, and for giving of their time and talents,” said Kopnicky.