The Kansas City Chiefs weren’t the only winners on Dec. 18 at NRG Stadium. 

For their leadership and dedicated volunteer work, West University couple Margaret and Steve Weddles received the 2022 Community Coffee Community Quarterback award at Sunday’s Texans-Chiefs game. 

Multiple times a week, the Weddles can be found at the Christian Community Service Center in Houston. 

Community Quarterback Award finalists receive $5,000 gifts in their name to their respective organizations, and the center will get that amount because of the Weddles' honor. 

Combating hunger is a top priority for the faith-based nonprofit organization, which connects 39 area churches to maximize outreach efforts.

Margaret Weddles was recognized for helping the center's garden provide food to families in need.

"Fresh produce shouldn't be a luxury item, yet it is for people in tight financial situations," she said. "I've worked to help steer the garden toward its highest production because that's the goal — more fresh produce for people in need visiting CCSC's food pantries."

Steve Weddles helped redesign CCSC’s JobNet employment program’s Word, PowerPoint and Excel classes, making them more user-friendly. He also developed an intermediate Excel class and skills assessments to ensure students get the most from JobNet classes.

"On behalf of CCSC, we feel honored to be nominated for, and to receive, a Texans Community Quarterback award,” he said. “We are fortunate to work with the dedicated volunteers and staff at CCSC.”

The couple began volunteering 17 years ago with the center's Back To School and Jingle Bell Express programs. After retirement — Margaret Weddles in 2017 and Steve Weddles in 2019 — they became full-time volunteers.

“In these times with so many Houstonians in need, we're thrilled that CCSC will receive $5,000 to extend its mission," Margaret Weddles said.

The CCSC is a volunteer-based, Better Business Bureau-accredited charity organization at 3434 Branard St., Houston. 

The Community Quarterback Awards are granted through a partnership between United Way of Greater Houston, the Houston Texans and Community Coffee, to recognize “individuals who have shown true volunteer leadership in their communities and have gone above and beyond in their volunteer roles.” 

juhi.varma@hcnonline.com