Jefferson Awards 2024: Felicia Benford

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Service to others is clearly a core characteristic of Felicia Benford.

“I think that’s my calling,” said Benford. “Wherever I need to be to help people, that’s where I’m supposed to go.”

Benford spent more than 20 years serving as a clerk and a cook in the U.S. Army and the Army Reserve.

“It set the foundation for me to know a lot of things that I know now in life, the reason why I do a lot of things,” she said.

She also found a way to give in her 30 years working at the women’s federal prison in Bryan.

“I actually got a chance to really minister to them, to mentor them, motivate them, help them make better choices while they were incarcerated that were going to benefit them upon their release,” said Benford.

Now as the Community Relations Manager at the Brazos County Health District, she’s still taking care of people.

“Just make them aware of how we can meet their needs.”

Benford has spent nearly 15 years as a member of the Bryan ISD Board of Trustees.

“I love interacting with the staff. I love making wise decisions that are best for the students and their education,” she said.

You’ll likely see her out in the community helping other nonprofits like the Reach Project, Voices for Children, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Brazos Valley, Twin City Mission and Meals on Wheels.

She said it’s simple when deciding where to volunteer.

“I just look at. Find out what their mission is, find out what they’re trying to accomplish. Where can I fit in best and what can I do to make it better? And I just give it a try,” she said.

Sometimes she steps up to meet other needs that arise. Like this past January when the temperatures dropped to dangerous, below-freezing temperatures.

Benford and her friends decided to open a community warming center for several days.

“We had started talking about it with some of the city leaders, and a makeshift one came about the first year,” said Benford. “But there was nothing done, so when the second year came up, it was like what are we gonna do?”

She rallied her friends and they set up at the VFW Post 4692 in Bryan, where she is a member.

“I’m so thankful we were able to help over 50 individuals during that time period that wouldn’t have had anywhere else to go,” she said.

Benford says she’ll do it again as needed, and they’re now also looking at creating cooling centers in the summer.

“There’s a need for that,” said Benford. “I just want to make sure that every need is met in the community for everyone regardless of their status, regardless of where they’re at. I just want to meet them where they’re at.”

Benford says she gets energized when she sees people and organizations have a positive reaction to her volunteerism.

“When I wake up in the morning, before I get out of bed I just ask God, ‘Lead me where You want to go today,’” she said. “And that’s where I’ll go. Wherever He leads me, that’s where I end up at.”