Friends for Life Charity Receives Stephen F. Austin Distinguished Service Award for Service to God, Community and Fellowman.

Friends for Life was selected by the Waco Scottish Rite Bodies to receive this award along with three other Waco charities including Caritas, Meals on Wheels and Mission Waco.

Waco Scottish Rite Bodies established the Stephen F. Austin Distinguished Service Award in 1999 to recognize individuals, Masonic and Non-Masonic, who have demonstrated a life of devotion and commitment to God, country and fellowman. This is the first time this prestigious award has been awarded to charities.

The award recognition ceremony and banquet was held Monday, November 6 at the Lee Lockwood Library and Museum in Waco TX with leadership from the four charities present to receive $10,000 donations and granite, engraved awards.

“This was such an honor for us, and it wasn’t until we were seated that I was informed we were also the recipients of a $10,000 donation,” said Inez Russell, Founder and Executive Director of Friends for Life. “I am so happy that all four charities had been selected. We each serve in different areas of our community, and I have a great appreciation for the work they do. I was humbled and honored that the work we do at Friends for Life was recognized in this way.”

The Award is named for Stephen Fuller Austin, the Father of Texas. He was a Master Mason, who, in fifteen years demonstrated unflagging leadership. The recipients of the award are selected in view of their humanitarian endeavors and for outstanding community leadership.

To learn more about Friends for Life and how you can help the mission of this charity, go to https://www.friendsforlife.org