The Dash Gordon Foundation
DGF Ambassadors are selected community partners who make an impact in our community on a daily basis. Ambassadors show endless effort to help and serve others. Our Ambassadors aren't paid but are very much spotlighted as someone who gives out of their love for what they do for their communities. There is no application process in becoming a DGF Ambassador. If you want to learn more, please fill out the contact form on the DASH Connect Page.
Amy Englishbee
My name is Amy Englishbee . I’m 34 years old and rescuing animals is what I’m ALL about ! I have worked professionally in animal care and rescue for 12 years . When I was a child , people would ask me what did I want to be when I grew up … I always responded “ a farmer “ because I just wanted to care for animals ! I was fortunate enough to grow up in a family that always treated their pets like family . I had a traumatic Experience when I was child that shook me to my core . We were on the way to my aunts house , and I saw two deceased dogs on the side of the road , and I lost it . I balled and cried for days . I just couldn’t understand how that’s even possible . My dog was my bestest friend. I just couldn’t understand how something like that could even be possible in this world . It devastated me . My family knew I would be important in the lives of animals in my future . Animals just fascinate me . Animals deserve so much credit . They are aware , they feel , they think , they KNOW. They have a soul . They didn’t ask to be here . It’s our fault they are here on the first place … ( spay and neuter please !) They are innocent, such as children … but they have no voice . They are a creation of their environment and up bringing. I started my first animal shelter gig at Friends For Life in 2012 , a no kill shelter in Houston . I have been working for only no kill shelters and rescues ever since . I have worked in all aspects of animal care . From Friends For Life , to Shadow Cats: a special needs cat rescue and sanctuary, to vet clinics , boarding facilities, to Corridor Rescue : a Houston street dog rescue - to League City Animal Care .My heart is always for the underdogs ! I am also on the board of directors for Acme Cat Rescue Ranch , a special needs and feral cat sanctuary. My heart has always in rescue work . The misunderstood and misjudged “ pit bulls “ , the neglected and forgotten ones ,feral cats and TNR . I currently am an Animal Protection Officer for the City of League City . Landing this gig is my jam ! Rescuing animals for a living - while also getting justice for the abused and neglected by law . I am beyond grateful to be working for such a caring and compassionate no kill city ! Im all about taking action, education, helping the public help their pets , and by standing up for what’s right . I’ll never be silent! I am their voice !
Adrian Aguilar
Adrian is a 20-year-old young man with Down Syndrome. He was homeschooled through his elementary and high school years, and graduated high school in 2021. Adrian enjoys playing his drums, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends. He is very active in the community. You can find him working out at the gym with his dad two days a week. He is involved in Special Strong—a program dedicated to adaptive and inclusive fitness. He takes classes at the Jet-Pac—an acting, dancing, and music academy—through a program called Jovians, where they improve their singing and dancing techniques. He’s also actively involved with the Verne Cox Multipurpose Center and their programs and also the GHFEDS down-syndrome group and their programs.
Adrian, along with his family, owns Adrian’s Tasty Treats. He bakes and sells delectable Mexican wedding cookies. Adrian’s family helped him create Adrian’s Tasty Treats in 2019, with the goal of helping him grow professionally and embracing his strengths. Adrian’s business is meant to bring awareness to individuals with special needs, and to share his delicious baked goodies with the community! His family’s motto is “There is an ability in every disability.”
Rob Hefner isn’t near as funny as he thinks he is but that has never stopped him from laughing at his own jokes. Since 20+ years in the Army failed to beat that out of him his wife of 34 years is forced to tolerate it, and she does so with the patience of a saint in Seabrook, Texas. He has fought a war, written a book, retired and unretired, been promoted from a college boy E4 to a grumpy old O5, been elected to public office, sailed across the Gulf of Mexico, received a Legion of Merit and several other shinys, artificially impregnated a cow, lived on a boat, broken several bones, raised two kids, been bitten by a piranha and dogpiled by five grandkids. He is currently running Old Glory Construction Management while trying to keep up with SERVE, a Veteran’s support effort south of Beltway 8, and a couple of other non profits.
Rob Hefner
Mady B
Mady was born in 2004 and she was a loving outgoing soul who wanted to help any one she could. She loved hard when she loved and never backed down when someone was trying to harm someone she loved. Once she connected with some of her friends in school- everything changed.
A few things from her journal
“ I want to put a smile on everyone’s face when i walk into a room, I want God to shine through me. I want others to respect me and treat me with love and kindness”
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“ I was threatened by him but in the I told the police what happened”
“Most of the time my reaction is to fight, but my body is also used to never winning in a situation where’s it’s a grown as man, and I’m 15 years old”
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As Madys mom, I will never stop being her voice and pushing to help create awareness and education through events in Our area. We also look for ways to fill the needs of youth prior to a trafficking finding that vulnerable place in their lives.
We partner with local organizations and communities—because it really takes us all coming together, to end human trafficking.
Josiah Deppisch
Josiah is an amazing 21-year-old with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and nonverbal
autism. He is involved in adaptive sports which include Tennis, Bowling and Bocce Ball through
the Christina Sullivan Foundation. Through Special Strong, an adaptive and inclusive fitness
program, Josiah has a personal trainer who supports him with motor planning activities.
Josiah frequents the Verne Cox center, a multipurpose recreation center that provides
programs and events for youth and young adults with cognitive or physical disabilities. He
especially enjoys their monthly Friday night dances. He is also an active member of GHFEDS –
Galveston Houston Families Exploring Down Syndrome, attending many of their social events
throughout the year.
He enjoys making pour art paintings with the assistance of his supported employment person.
He chooses all the colors, the amount of color for each painting, pours it on the canvas and
then maneuvers each canvas to achieve a one-of-a-kind, custom design.
Josiah is learning to use letter boards to communicate through an incredible program called
Spelling to Communicate (S2C). We believe Josiah understands language, comprehends the
spoken word, and formulates his own ideas, and thoughts. Our role is to help him get his body
to cooperate with his brain to be able to express those thoughts and ideas through spelling.
We presume competence and firmly believe potential knows no boundaries!
Carys Moran
Carys Moran, Miss League City Teen 2023, is a senior at Friendswood High School and plans to attend Texas Tech University in the fall.
Carys enjoys fishing, cooking (especially Italian food) and travel with some of her favorite places to visit being Florida’s Emerald Coast, the Texas Hill Country, and any of our state’s beautiful lakes.
Carys has attended Camp Longhorn on Inks Lake in Burnet, TX since she was 8 years old which has given her a passion for swimming, sailing, boating and wake-surfing. Because her camp was a cell-phone-free environment, Carys became keenly aware over the years, as both a camper and a counselor, of the positive impact of “hanging up and hanging out.”
Carys believes that the mental health crisis occurring today in teens is, in large part, rooted in the desensitization and disconnectedness that comes from constantly being tied to technology. She hopes to be able to utilize her role as Miss League City Teen to encourage kids to take breaks from their phones, computers, and video games and, instead, spend quality time connecting with friends and family, engaging in physical activity or volunteering in their community.
This was Carys’s first pageant and she looks forward to having fun, encouraging and inspiring other teens and growing as a person and a leader. She’s also excited, as Miss League City Teen, to represent the Dash Gordon Foundation as an ambassador, working alongside them to address issues surrounding Special Needs, Human Trafficking, Foster/Adoption Care, Animal Rescue, Abused Women and Children, Suicide Awareness, Autism and Veterans.
Avery Doubenmier is a League City native born and raised who received the title of Miss League City USA in 2023. With a passion for helping and serving others, Avery chose a career in real estate and loves to assist business owners grow their online platforms as a marketing manager. She enjoys spending time with her loved ones, cooking, baking, being active in nature and discovering local restaurants and coffee shops in her area. Avery believes it is important to be proud of your individuality and seeks to spread a message of living to your true authentic self.
Avery Doubenmier
My name is Dudley the Bloodhound, Dudz for short. I'm an 11 month old nosework kid in training to become a search and rescue dog. In the meantime, I will have graduated with my canine good citizen (i.e my good boy test) certification in under 6 weeks. Although I enjoy tracking and being on the trails frequently, my nose is more inclined to hang out with others that may be needing or wanting support. Mom calls this "dog therapy" and says I was meant for this job. My Momager, Paige, travels everywhere with me and she calls herself my "handler" but really she's just here to serve me while I serve others. I'm just a gentle giant that likes to make others smile. I love to volunteer and meet others. If you see me out and about, ask my Momager to pet me and bliss out. I'm also very funny. What type of dog does dracula have? A bloodhound, hahaha. See? Anyway, I cannot wait to meet all of you. Warm wags and wishes, the Dudz