Harken to speak at Texas Hospital Assoc. meeting

Harken

Tom Harken is slated to be the featured speaker at the District 4 Texas Association of Healthcare Volunteers meeting next Thursday, Sept. 27, at the Wesley Center at First United Methodist Church.

The meeting will recognize more than 100 volunteers from nine hospitals in East Texas.

Other speakers include Christus Jasper Memorial's Mark Durand speaking on organ donation, and Bob Zamen, retired vice president of Management Services of the Texas Hospital Association, who has volunteered more than 12,000 hours of service.

Harken is a local entrepreneur who started out functionally illiterate, learned to read and founded the Casa Ole Mexican restaurant chain.

Harken and wife Melba sold the restaurants and move to Lake Sam Rayburn. They remain involved in the Jasper County Historical Museum and the Literacy Volunteers of America.

Harken has received the Horatio Alger Award and currently serves on a number of boards and advisory committees.

Harken's life story was featured in the book series, Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering at Christus Jasper Memorial Hospital can call Sam Yeary, 384-8905.