KBTX honors 2024 Jefferson Award winners

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – KBTX is proud to announce the winners of our 20th annual Jefferson Awards. This year’s board of selectors recognized four outstanding community servants: Thaddeus Adams, Felicia Benford, Clifford Dorn, and Ellen Fuller.

Thaddeus Adams works as a volunteer first responder with the Red Cross, often deploying for days or weeks to areas hit by disaster. Nominator Leslie Adams said Thaddeus has the “dedicated heart of a servant while serving in some of the most serious disasters in our state and nation.”

People who know Thaddeus say he has exceptional team leadership skills, allowing him to inspire volunteers to perform their duties and responsibilities “during unimaginable human and natural tragedies”. With the American Red Cross, Thaddeus served as a leader during the El Paso Walmart Shooting, the Uvalde School Shooting, Tropical Storm Herold, and many other disasters across the state and nation.

Felicia Benford has served those in need for decades. Benford has served on Bryan ISD’s Board of Trustees since May 2010 and is active in numerous organizations across the Brazos Valley. She serves as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteer and as a mentor at the Boys & Girls Club. Benford is also actively involved in Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4692, the Texas Association of Women’s Clubs, the Brazos Valley African American Museum, and Elizabeth House Maternity Home. This past winter, she helped organize warming shelters in Bryan-College Station as temperatures dipped to dangerous lows.

“In only three days of planning, Ms. Benford demonstrated her motto, ‘Together we can rise up, take action, and make change happen,’” Ann Boney said.

Dr. Clifford Dorn is being recognized for his work forming the Backing the Badge BCS and Operation Safe Shield. Through Backing the Badge BCS, Dorn serves a barbecue lunch for first responders across the Brazos Valley in recognition of their service. At Operation Safe Shield, Dorn has helped raise more than $1 million to install safety windows in law enforcement vehicles.

“Dr. Dorn’s unwavering commitment to supporting our law enforcement officers and his significant contributions to our community through various non-profit initiatives make him an exemplary candidate for this prestigious honor,” the City of Bryan Police Chief Eric Buske said.

Ellen Fuller is being honored for her work with local veterans, especially through Wreaths Across America. Fuller co-founded Wreaths Across America Brazos Valley in 2015 and now serves on the organization’s national board. In 2016, she organized a database for veteran graves in the Brazos Valley and has continued to work actively to make sure they are maintained, restored, upgraded and recognized appropriately.

“Ellen’s unwavering commitment to veterans (past, present, and future) and their families, as well as the Brazos Valley, is truly inspiring,” Brazos County Veterans Service Officer Pam Robertson said.

All four winners will be recognized in a special presentation on Thursday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. on KBTX. The 20th Annual Jefferson Awards are presented by Amarillo National Bank.