The 2018 Leslie Amend Award Winner

Amanda Duvall was recognized as the 2018 Leslie Amend Award winner (Fort Worth Area GFA Volunteer of the Year) at the Gladney Center Board Meeting dinner last night.

Amanda has made a significant impact on the FW Area GFA Board over the past four years as a passionate adoption advocate. Her volunteer activities are as varied as her skills, including: leading the local Kendra Scott Gives Back Party for the last three years; supporting actively waiting families by planning and promoting education courses offered through the GFA such as Baby Care Basics; engaging and on-boarding her peers at TCU to learn more about Gladney by encouraging them to attend the Walk & Talk Tours, sign up for Gladney University courses, and make connections with the nursing department & Gladney outreach; and simply acting like a friend to those who are most in need of one.

Amanda has also directly and personally raised much needed funds for Gladney by sitting on the National Adoption Month fundraising committee for two years, and creating the Fund A Need project. She has also served on the board in the birth mother liaison position to include planning the birth mother Thanksgiving and birth mother brunch for two years. Amanda also worked with Gladney Asia programs including planning the Chinese New Year event in both 2016 & 2018. Amanda currently serves on the Fort Worth Area GFA Board as secretary and president at large. She has led outreach efforts in the past through the GFA, always says yes to step up to fill a gap on the board, and also helps with the DFW Adult Adoptee group/events.

Leslie Amend Award

Created in 1995 and presented annually to an outstanding volunteer who best exemplifies Leslie’s spirit and commitment to Gladney and all members of the adoption triad.

Past Recipients:

Leslie Amend-1995
June McAdams-1996
Debbie Sewell-1997
Joan Katz-1998
Jamie Souders-1999
Beverly Horton Yates-2000
Jana Moore-2001
Lezlie Field & Megan Roland-2002
Lindsey Merrill & Ginger Lawhorn-2003
James Crawford & Mazel Merrill-2004
Barbara Penshorn-2005
Shannon Schumacher-2006
Fran Kreindler-2007
Cynthia Hill-2008
Jana Siratt & Julie Siratt-2009
Tammy Miller-2010
Carol Perry-2011
Ashley Stern-2012
Robyn Charles-2013
Ellen Hunt-2014
Scot & Becca Smith-2015
Heidi Earl Cox-2016
Alicia Taylor-2017
Amanda Duvall - 2018