(Jan. 28, 2026, Katy, TX) — The Arc of Katy<http://www.thearcofkaty.org> board of directors announced the honorees Grand Lakes Presbyterian Church<https://www.grandlakespc.org/> to receive their 2026 Ann Davis Founder’s Award; Steven J. Hauck, President/CEO of Steel Trading Company of America<https://steeltradingcorp.com/> and William D. Auffenberg, owner of Westside Chevrolet<http://www.westsidechevroletkaty.com> and Westside Kia<https://www.westsidekia.com/> in Katy, to be honored as Community Champions; and Ellen Ryan Candito as Volunteer of the Year.
The awardees will be recognized on Friday, Feb. 27, at Noche de Amor<https://events.readysetauction.com/arckaty/nochedeamor>, an evening of love and support for The Arc of Katy. The annual benefit will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at Agave Estates in Katy with seated dinner, live and silent auctions, and entertainment. The event raises funds to support programs for adults and teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
The Arc of Katy President Fred Shafer said, “We are pleased to honor members of the Grand Lakes Presbyterian Church as well as Steven J. Hauck, William D. Auffenberg, and Ellen R. Candito as each provides high-impact support for our programs that help people with IDD build friendships, strengthen their bodies and minds, learn new skills, and give back through community service as their families gain respite, resources and hope.
“The Ann Davis Founder’s Award, named after our founding president of The Arc of Katy, is presented to Grand Lakes Presbyterian Church because they have been a reliable mission partner who helps The Arc of Katy by sharing financial resources, in-kind donations, time and service to support our program delivery.”
The Grand Lakes Presbyterian Church has offered use of their facilities and annually provides funds to purchase supplies for The Arc of Katy programs. They sponsored The Arc of Katy Barn Dance and Christmas programs, and featured arts and crafts of The Arc of Katy day program participants in their church’s Acorn Arts and Crafts Festival.
“We also are pleased to recognize Steve Hauck and Bill Auffenberg as two community champions who generously partner with The Arc of Katy to strengthen our programs and expand opportunities for our participants.”
When he learned about The Arc of Katy from one of its board members, Hauck helped “problem solve” a challenge that the organization was experiencing to maintain the buses that transport program participants to outings into the community. Hauck connected The Arc of Katy with Auffenberg and together they arrange for in-kind services for repairs and scheduled maintenance for the fleet of five buses. “The services made possible by Steve Hauck and Bill Auffenberg and the team at Westside Chevrolet ensures reliable and safe transportation for our participants as they travel throughout our community to share new experiences and engage in exciting learning opportunities,” Shafer says.
“Ellen Candito is being honored because her selfless service, compassion and dedication as a volunteer for The Arc of Katy has made an extraordinary impact on the organization and the people we serve,” says Shafer.
Candito joined The Arc of Katy board in 2012, was elected secretary in 2020, and serves on the Program and Gala committees. She volunteers at The Arc of Katy’s monthly participant social events including dances and bingo nights at Mark A. Chapman YMCA at Katy Main Street and at all of the organization’s fundraisers. Candito retired in 2021 from Katy Independent School District where she worked with high school students as a speech pathologist. She also has volunteered locally as a confirmation catechist for Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church in Katy and continues to volunteer as an usher at The Houston Grand Opera HGO, The Alley Theater, Stages Theater, 4th Wall Theater, Main Street Theater, AD Players, Dirt Dogs Theater and at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.
Information on The Arc of Katy programs, including volunteer and donor opportunities, is available at https://www.thearcofkaty.org/. Gala sponsor and attendee registration is available at https://events.readysetauction.com/arckaty/nochedeamor.
