| Shell employee wins Jefferson Award
Kathy Broussard may have already earned her wings and white robe for helping to save lives as the founder of Houston Ground Angels. But in January 2009, Broussard received a Jefferson Award for Public Service from Channel 2 Houston. The prestigious, national award honoring community and public service is a gold medallion signed by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, former U.S. Senator Robert Taft Jr., and Sam Beard, who together founded the Jefferson Awards in 1972.
The organization Broussard started, Houston Ground Angels, is a transportation service of about 200 volunteers who fly, drive and accompany cancer patients to and from the Houston Medical Center free of charge. The volunteers not only provide transportation, but also emotional support, which is why recipients tend to think of them as celestial guardians.
Broussard was nominated for the award by Dr. Ty Fasanronia, a Ground Angel volunteer and Harris County physician. Fasanronia felt Broussard deserved recognition for helping the needy and suffering. She has flown patients to their appointments in her own single-engine prop plane and recruited others, including Fasanronia, to help over the past 11 years.
Broussard learned about her award while at home recovering from back surgery and a foot-implant replacement. She has been on medical leave from her position as Distilling HVI (high viscosity index) operator at Shell Deer Park.
“I was so shocked to get a phone call from Channel 2 after my surgery letting me know I had won. They wanted to film me in two days, but I could hardly take care of myself, let alone look like a human being,” she says.
The station postponed filming for a couple weeks to give Broussard time to recover. “I was pretty rough even then,” she says. “That compression boot is nice but I could hardly stand.” Yet, the cameras rolled and Broussard appeared on a Channel 2 news segment in January.
She is honored to be named a Jefferson Award winner, but says the recognition should go to others. “I feel so undeserving,” she comments. “The volunteers, pilots and companions who fly and transport our precious cargo should receive this award. Not me.”
While Broussard may not feel she merits the tribute, the beneficiaries of the Ground Angels’ services have personally witnessed her selfless contributions and believe the recognition befits her. In their eyes, Broussard is heaven-sent and quite deserving.
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