2023 Volunteer of the Week- Gabe Cortez

• Sold 378 banquet tickets totaling $27,668
• Underwriting total of $450
• Made 20+ donations

"Gabe is always flying the Friends of NRA flag within his circle of influence. The past couple of years have been unique, yet through his perseverance, the Houston Metro Friends of NRA event has sustained and succeeded. Gabe started as a committee member rising in the ranks to Co-Chair and now Chair. Without Gabe and his commitment, the Houston Metro Friends of NRA event would not be the success it is today. In his first year as Chair, Gabe took the event to High Caliber Club level. He never wavered or gave up during the shutdowns, and when asked to step up multiple times after the event was rescheduled and cancelled, Gabe made sure there was a Houston Metro Friends of NRA event at the 2022 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Houston.

Gabe is a true servant leader; he looks for no individual recognition or praise, he is always available to his team, and puts the cause and others first. He lives a life committed to the causes he believes in, and we are blessed to be one near and dear to his heart. His loyalty, honesty, integrity and dedication are always on display making him an example to all volunteers, representing Friends of NRA well. He is fair, understanding and respectful to all. He is the calm in the storm; rarely if ever do you see Gabe shaken, but don't dismiss his kindness for lack of strength - it is his compassion that has earned him the respect of myself, volunteers and attendees. Gabe never misses a Volunteer Workshop and is an active participant by learning and sharing. He has also consistently served on the State Fund Committee.

Metro Friends events bring unique challenges, and it's been inspiring to watch Gabe over the years take each event on in stride and never giving up. For the 2022 Houston Metro Friends of NRA event, we most definitely had several unique situations including working with volunteers from many different committees. Gabe took each challenge in stride and focused on solutions.

Attitude is everything for Gabe. He resonates a calmness and a desire to do what is right no matter what curve balls are thrown his way. 2020 presented absurd challenges (no events) in Houston/Harris County, and to be able to come back in 2021 and do everything possible to host the Houston Event at Annual Meeting only to have it be rescheduled and then cancelled, shows incredible commitment and fortitude. So much work went into 2021 to not be able to even have the event; while others would have become overwhelmed and frustrated, Gabe did not. He persevered, and then in 2022 Gabe led the volunteers to a successful Houston Friends of NRA event at Annual Meeting in spite of all the obstacles with the holiday date, conflicting event schedules, protests, etc."

-  Liz Foley, NRA Senior Field Representative