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Branick and JC Director of Human Resources and Risk Management Cary Erickson at Sertoma
The Aurora Golden Triangle Sertoma Club honored Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick for his many efforts on behalf of his constituents and the community he serves, including environmental initiatives and hurricane recovery endeavors, presenting Branick with the Service to Mankind Award during a fundraising dinner at The Pompano on Oct. 14.
“Sertoma” is an abbreviation of “Service to Mankind,” and the organization annually awards individuals who embody that motto. In addition to honoring community members who strive to serve their fellow man, the organization’s mission is “to improve the quality of life for those at risk or impacted by hearing loss through education and support,” and the annual award events raise funds toward that goal.
Sertoma celebrated Branick for his Service to Mankind during the Oct. 14 event at The Pompano restaurant in Port Neches.
Judge Branick’s wife, Sherrie, attended the dinner with her husband, later posting to Facebook how “proud” she is of the man she married and all he does for the community the couple calls home.
“Unspoken truth: I am always proud of my husband – Jeff Branick,” she wrote. “But tonight, I was so very moved by the kind words attributed to his character (and) his time as the leader of Jefferson County as he was honored as the Sertoma’s Service to Mankind recipient.
“A most unexpected surprise was that our local Sertomas nominated Jeff for the national award (and) tonight they announced he was chosen as the Service to Mankind recipient for the entire Heartland of America! Thank you all for supporting Sertoma and everything they do to help those with hearing issues. And thank you to everyone who helped with this evening.”
Following the awards, Branick said he is grateful for the recognition and pleased to serve Southeast Texas.
“I was honored,” Branick said of the designation, giving no pause before noting that the honor is shared amongst a crew of civil servants. “I’m blessed to have such a wonderful support staff in the emergency operation center to assist me in times of difficulty. They’re a wonderful group.”
In addition, Branick noted, Sertoma also deserves to be honored.
“I’m appreciative of Sertoma, thankful for the award, and thankful for the work they do in our community,” he said.
During the event, Sertoma raised funds to provide area residents with Portable InfoLoops, mobile, desktop hearing loop systems compatible with certain hearing improvement devices, such as telecoil (t-coil) hearing aids, cochlear implants and induction loop receivers.