Lifelong volunteer finds solace in work

The Port Arthur News

November 22, 2008 02:47 pm

— By Amy Moore
The News staff writer
Pam Trosclair is not sure how she got involved in the many organizations she belongs to, but she knows they keep her busy.
The Port Arthur woman said the only time she has for herself is between the hours of midnight and 4 a.m.
“I do what I do because I enjoy it,” she said. “I’d go crazy if I didn’t do it.”
Trosclair works at the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, but you’ll find her in the background at just about any event in the area sponsored by a nonprofit organization.
She is a member of and has held a number of executive offices in various organizations in the community, including Service League, Southeast Texas Arts Council, Port Arthur ISD PTA and St. Catherine School Board, her nominator Betty Legnon wrote in her letter for Trosclair.
More recently Trosclair served as a docent at the Musuem of the Gulf Coast and Executive Director of CavOILcade.
“I have worked along side of her as a co-worker, an assistant and just helped her on several projects in which she has participated,” Legnon wrote. “She always attempts to find more ways of how to assist others.”
Legnon said Trosclair’s focus is usually on children. With a background in child care, it’s no wonder she has a soft spot for youth.
For 24 years Trosclair ran a nonprofit children’s center in Katy and actually began her volunteer work with the PTA 34 years ago.
It was no wonder that when Trosclair’s boss, Mary Ann Reid, mentioned that she needed help getting her daughter to a from after school activities, Trosclair happily volunteered.
“Mondays are my days with Jessica,” she said with a smile.
She’ll be the first to admit, though, that she wouldn’t be able to do anything without the help of those around her.
“I couldn’t do anything by myself,” she said.
Which must be why anyone who gets remotely close to Trosclair becomes a volunteer, too.
Her late husband, Paul, was involved with the Masons and Shriners. Her children, Tiffany, 32, and Quentin, 29, grew up in Service League and are active volunteers as adults, she said.
Volunteerism is something parents should pass along to their children, she said.
“Kids follow in their parents footsteps,” she said.
Trosclair’s love of helping and dedication to children have created special memories for some girls in the area who dreamed of participating in CavOILcade, but could not afford it.
If a girl walked into the office without means to participate, Trosclair simply made a few calls and found sponsors, dresses and anything else needed to make the dream a reality.
“From simple things like helping a young lady find adress or a sponsor to be able to participate in CavOILcade to more complex things, she is always willing,” Legnon wrote in her letter. “She works with more that 30 young ladies each year and you can ask any of them how good she is.”
There’s one girl Trosclair has big plans for — her granddaughter McKenzie. Though the tot only recently learned to walk, she already has a sash and a dress for when she will be old enough to compete in 2023 CavOILcade pageant.
Legnon said Trosclair gives more of herself than many people do, but doesn’t like any of the credit.
“They know I don’t like attention,” she admitted. “I don’t like to brag.”

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.