By Amy Moore
The News staff writer
Pam Trosclair is not sure how she got involved in the many organizations she belongs to, but she knows they keep her busy.
The Port Arthur woman said the only time she has for herself is between the hours of midnight and 4 a.m.
“I do what I do because I enjoy it,” she said. “I’d go crazy if I didn’t do it.”
Trosclair works at the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, but you’ll find her in the background at just about any event in the area sponsored by a nonprofit organization.
She is a member of and has held a number of executive offices in various organizations in the community, including Service League, Southeast Texas Arts Council, Port Arthur ISD PTA and St. Catherine School Board, her nominator Betty Legnon wrote in her letter for Trosclair.
More recently Trosclair served as a docent at the Musuem of the Gulf Coast and Executive Director of CavOILcade.
“I have worked along side of her as a co-worker, an assistant and just helped her on several projects in which she has participated,” Legnon wrote. “She always attempts to find more ways of how to assist others.”
Legnon said Trosclair’s focus is usually on children. With a background in child care, it’s no wonder she has a soft spot for youth.
For 24 years Trosclair ran a nonprofit children’s center in Katy and actually began her volunteer work with the PTA 34 years ago.
It was no wonder that when Trosclair’s boss, Mary Ann Reid, mentioned that she needed help getting her daughter to a from after school activities, Trosclair happily volunteered.
“Mondays are my days with Jessica,” she said with a smile.
She’ll be the first to admit, though, that she wouldn’t be able to do anything without the help of those around her.
“I couldn’t do anything by myself,” she said.
Which must be why anyone who gets remotely close to Trosclair becomes a volunteer, too.
Her late husband, Paul, was involved with the Masons and Shriners. Her children, Tiffany, 32, and Quentin, 29, grew up in Service League and are active volunteers as adults, she said.
Volunteerism is something parents should pass along to their children, she said.
“Kids follow in their parents footsteps,” she said.
Trosclair’s love of helping and dedication to children have created special memories for some girls in the area who dreamed of participating in CavOILcade, but could not afford it.
If a girl walked into the office without means to participate, Trosclair simply made a few calls and found sponsors, dresses and anything else needed to make the dream a reality.
“From simple things like helping a young lady find adress or a sponsor to be able to participate in CavOILcade to more complex things, she is always willing,” Legnon wrote in her letter. “She works with more that 30 young ladies each year and you can ask any of them how good she is.”
There’s one girl Trosclair has big plans for — her granddaughter McKenzie. Though the tot only recently learned to walk, she already has a sash and a dress for when she will be old enough to compete in 2023 CavOILcade pageant.
Legnon said Trosclair gives more of herself than many people do, but doesn’t like any of the credit.
“They know I don’t like attention,” she admitted. “I don’t like to brag.”
Citizen of the Year
Related Photos
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Mike Tobias
Discussion
November 22, 2008
Lifelong volunteer finds solace in work
Port Arthur News 2008 Citizen of the Year finalist
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Kelley passionate about improving Port Arthur
It’s one thing to have a dream, and quite another to turn that vision into reality. It takes determination, courage and ambition — all qualities Hilton Kelley displays on a daily basis in his quest to make Port Arthur a better place to live.
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Snell helps folks far and wide
Perry Snell said God interrupted his life in March 2002. Ever since, he’s been reaching out to those less fortunate by traveling with a foreign mission team, being active in the Rotary Club and serving in the church.
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Darks shines bright as she helps a younger generation
C. Ella Dennis Darks may be 70-years-old, but the Port Arthur woman doesn’t let that stop her from attending classes at Edison Middle School.
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Hernandez advises others to 'dream big'
Elias Hernandez has long worked with young people, but says his advice is good for all ages. “If you’re good enough to do something, you will overcome your problems,” he said.
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Bridges builds future by helping others
Rocky Bridges goes beyond the call of duty because “it’s too easy to do the right thing.”
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Jarratt's ministry continues long after leaving pulpit
The Rev. Byron Jarratt joked that since retiring, he is sometimes busier than when he worked. Jarratt served 40 years as a Methodist minister throughout East Texas and his hometown of Port Arthur.
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Parker gets joy from her volunteer work
Tall, elegant, silver-haired Beverly Parker had tossed on jeans for a project at the YMCA. Down the hall she early-voted before decorating centerpieces for a Y benefit she’s tackling, then sunk onto a bench to catch her breath.
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Lifelong volunteer finds solace in work
Pam Trosclair is not sure how she got involved in the many organizations she belongs to, but she knows they keep her busy.
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Moon shines light to those in need
Arthur J. Weber, or Moon, as everyone knows him, has earned a reputation as a do gooder, someone who goes out of his way to tend to the needs of others. For his efforts, everybody loves him, his wife said.
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Erney Hunt: PA News 2008 Citizen of the Year
When hundreds of volunteers descended upon Sabine Pass to help Hurricane Ike victims clean debris from their homes and yards, Erney Hunt was there. For him, the slogan of the Boy Scouts — “do a good turn daily” — is a way of life.
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