The award, which recognizes an individual or group that has provided outstanding volunteer outreach in their local, county, or regional community, was presented by Bobby Littlefield, TxDOT’s Paris District Engineer, at a luncheon held in Austin on March 27. Vaughan was nominated for this award for her support and involvement with several organizations and activities that have impacted the Paris community.

Vaughan has been active in Leadership Lamar County, Leadership Paris ISD, the local chapter of the Texas Public Employees Association, and the Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society.

"It is such an honor to be selected since so many State of Texas employees work tirelessly in their communities every day," says Vaughan. Several letters of support from TxDOT staff and members of organizations were full of praise for Vaughan’s contribution to the community.

"When I hear the words ‘unsung hero’, I think of someone who is a hard worker, involved in the community, supportive of their family and, most importantly, tries to make a difference," D’Anna Graham, Paris ISD Inclusion teacher, wrote. "There is one person that I believe fits all of these qualities - Sabra."

Vaughan, whose oldest son, Steele, has Down syndrome, is an extremely active member of the Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society. 

Deanna Tharpe, Executive Director, writes that "seeing someone like Sabra work so hard not only for the benefit of her child but also for the benefit of others like him with Down syndrome is heart-warming."

Vaughan donates countless hours preparing for activities, serving on the board of directors, attending state and national conferences, and presenting information to the group during meetings.

According to Vaughan, "The activities that I do for the Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society are such labors of love that I don’t consider them work." She goes on to say, "Having Steele has definitely made me a better person. Helping him and other families with members who have special needs has become my passion. I feel that I am so blessed that I need to do whatever I can to help others in similar situations."

In addition to her community work, Vaughan serves as the Texas Department of Transportation’s Internal Auditor and Public Information Officer for the nine-county Paris District. Employed with TxDOT for over 22 years, she is a Certified Government Auditing Professional, is the current chair of TxDOT’s Internal Audit Peer Review Panel, and has successfully coordinated an annual "Kindergarten Open House" program in the Paris District for the last 6 years.

Vaughan began including area special education students in the safety awareness tour three years ago.

TxDOT-Paris District employee Sabra Vaughan was selected to receive the Texas Public Employees Association's Unsung Hero Award. The award was presented at a luncheon in Austin on March 27. She is pictured being congratulated by Paris District Engineer Bobby Littlefield.

"Sabra is such a valuable member of our TxDOT family. I was overjoyed to find out that she had been selected for this Unsung Hero Award. It is definitely well deserved!" stated Littlefield.

2008 marked the fifth year the Texas Public Employees Association has presented the Unsung Hero Awards. The award was initiated to recognize state employees’ public service when it is exemplary and to help state leaders, legislators, community leaders and the public to better understand that the state workforce is a positive asset for Texas.