MARK HUDSON

Mark Hudson, an engineer for Air Products, Inc., a leader, a motivator, a mentor, a volunteer, is involved at Kruse Elementary in the national H.O.S. T.S. (Help One Student to Succeed) mentoring program for students reading below grade level. His spirit of volunteer work is so contagious that his entire team – engineers, accountants, and office staff – participate.

Kruse Elementary is a low socio-economic campus with 89% of its 700+ students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. The students addressed in the program have limited experiences and accessibility to books in their homes. Hudson brings weekly his present-moment energy to the students’ benefit by using his knowledge, expertise, and encouragement. He and his team have students believing they can be successful academically and achieve whatever they dream. Kruse Elementary is now a Texas Recognized campus, and Hudson is one of the reasons Kruse students have a sense of competence as learners in order to perform well on state accountability tests.

He yearly participates in the Kruse Children’s Christmas Party by providing two children with gifts so they experience the joy of Santa. Also, he has helped at an event to raise money for the Project Kruse Scholarship Fund that enables students to attend college.

Hudson’s volunteer efforts span three states- Pennsylvania, Indiana and Texas. For example, he has been a blood platelet donor on a regular schedule for 10 years, donating in each state that he has lived. As a blood donor his platelets are transfused in patients as part of their cancer treatment.

He led a program, Pure Elf, at the Air Products facility in Indiana (Pure Air on the lake), which involved all of the employees (26) and partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Valparaiso, IN., in which they sponsored needy children during the Christmas season. The major event was the giving of gifts (much like the Kruse program). This program has continued, and last year the team adopted 55 children.

Habitat for Humanity is included in his volunteer activities. He led his team’s involvement in fixing up houses for the needy. What a volunteer – truly affecting children’s lives. When he sees a need, he is there – he lives his values.

Hudson’s qualities as a leader in volunteer work are an inspiration to those who work with him. His values are demonstrated weekly. He wants children to be able to reach their potential and is willing to do what it takes to ensure success. Other volunteer activities are included in the supportive materials.