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Horton named

Citizen of the Year,

Landers presented
that’s your chamber

with Slovacek award

Written by Bobby Vasquez. Photo by Andrew Pressley/Deer
Park Photos.

The Deer Park Chamber of Commerce bestowed its two highest honors at its annual banquet.
Long-time Wheelhouse supporter and community volunteer Kaye Horton was named the Cham-
ber’s Citizen of the Year while Ray Landers was presented with the prestigious Wayne Slovacek
Humanitarian Award.

For their selfless generosity of their Culp said Horton has one of the An emotional Horton accepted the
hearts and souls, two Deer Park biggest and selfless hearts in the award in front of a standing ova-
residents were presented with the community. tion.
two highest recognitions award-
ed by the Deer Park Chamber of “What’s so impressive about her is “I love this community. Volunteer-
Commerce. that she goes about her work and ing is my passion and hobby,” she
activities and supporting the differ- said.
Kay Horton was named the Citizen ent activities that she’s involved in
of the Year while Ray Landers was with a quiet demeanor. She doesn’t She thanked her friends and family
honored with the Wayne Slovacek want any recognition or to draw and recent past award recipient the
Humanitarian Award. attention to herself,” he said. late Ralph Russo. Horton received
a congressional proclamation from
Horton is a long-time volunteer She lights up the room with her US Rep. Brian Babin.
with The Wheelhouse and other smile and calm demeanor, said
endeavors in the community. Culp. At the banquet, Ray Landers was
presented with the prestigious
Deer Park Chamber President and Horton is a board member and Wayne Slovacek Humanitarian
CEO Tim Culp said the citizen of vicechair of The Wheelhouse, a Award. Established in 1998, the
the year award is an annual honor living facility for men fighting the award was named for the late
for someone who goes the pro- demons of drug and alcohol abuse. Wayne Slovacek who was affection-
verbial above and beyond for the She is also the general manager at ately known as Mr. Deer Park. Al-
community. Bauer Visual Graphics where she though Sloveck died in 2012, Culp
employs persons needing a second said his example lives on through
“They are the type of people who chance at life. its few honorees. Only five persons
that no matter what you need, no have been presented with the award
matter what is taking place, if we “She commits to helping them in in 20 years. Culp said only a few
need their help, they are there. All their pursuit of happiness. She’s also select persons are considered for
we have to do is pick up the phone,” the smiling face behind (the Cham- the award and even then, the award
he said. ber) golf tournament,” he said. is only presented periodically.

10 Deer Park Chamber of Commerce