One Houston woman has had the opportunity to live on four different continents throughout her life, yet there is one special place that she always considers home, and that place is Pink Ribbon House. Because of her dedicated volunteerism, The Buckingham senior living community is recognizing Beryl McCleary as the second recipient of The Buckingham 2010 Salute to Seniors Award. Melanie McClain, volunteer coordinator for Pink Ribbon House, nominated McCleary for the honor.
“We have a lot of special volunteers at Pink Ribbon House, and Mrs. McCleary is one of our most dedicated and brightest,” said McClain. “She has touched many lives with her knowledge and beautiful spirit, and I enjoy every opportunity I have to work with her.”
The Buckingham Salute to Seniors Award is presented quarterly to honor an individual who is making a difference in their community. Qualified nominees are active adults age 62 and above who volunteer their time and talents to their communities, and who also exemplify leadership, spirit, and citizenship.
“Mrs. McCleary is a great example that there is no age limit when it comes to volunteering,” said Cathy Lightfoot, director of sales and marketing at The Buckingham. “Her life is an inspiration to all of us that through hardship come great joy, and she has proven that with her continued support of Pink Ribbon House.”
McCleary, 81, spent most of her life traveling around the world with her husband who worked in the oil business. After raising their four children in countries all over the world, the family finally settled in Houston. Her involvement with Pink Ribbon House began after two separate diagnosis of breast cancer, 10 years apart. Now an avid supporter of breast cancer research, McCleary enjoys the ways she is able to give back through Pink Ribbon House. She acts as a great resource for fellow breast cancer survivors, and assists with various fundraisers throughout the year that support breast cancer awareness.
“I’m very much a people person and since the passing of my husband two years ago, volunteering has been a great way for me to be around others,” said McCleary. “The people that I’ve met through my work with Pink Ribbon House have now become close friends, and it’s been a positive impact on my life to be able to talk about my experiences and help others.”
McCleary also volunteers her time at the Symphony League and holds office at the local AARP chapter. She helps with voter registration in her neighborhood by providing change of address cards for new residents.
McCleary currently resides in Houston and enjoys traveling to visit her children and grandchildren in Alaska, Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico and San Antonio, Texas.
The Pink Ribbon House® of Houston is Baylor College of Medicine’s unique fundraising project that uses a designer home tour to raise money for breast cancer research at the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine. This year the project raised more than $400,000 to support the fight against breast cancer. For more information about the program, please call Melanie McClain at 713-798-6836.
ABOUT THE BUCKINGHAM
The Buckingham is Houston’s premier life care senior living community located in the Memorial neighborhood. Situated on a 17-acre site along Buffalo Bayou at 8580 Woodway Drive, The Buckingham offers resort-style services and amenities for active, independent seniors, as well as all levels of health care services on-site at The Plaza at The Buckingham. The community features 205 independent living residences; 43 private assisted living apartments; 16 private memory support apartments; and 60 private skilled nursing suites.
The Buckingham is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit senior living community sponsored by Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation (SQLC), a Texas-based nonprofit organization that sponsors sister communities Edgemere in Dallas, Querencia at Barton Creek in Austin, The Stayton at Museum Way under construction in Fort Worth, and Mirador under construction in Corpus Christi. For information visit www.buckinghamhouston.com, or call (832) 426-1372.
Photo (left to right)
Gail Rauhut, Pink Ribbon House; Beryl McCleary, The Buckingham Salute to Seniors Award recipient; Cathy Lightfoot, director of sales and marketing, The Buckingham
