HTX-LHK: Impact 9/19/2025

The 125th anniversary of the founding of The Luke Church in Humble was Sept. 12, Humble Mayor Norman Funderburk said.

Latest update: The church’s anniversary was honored during the Humble City Council’s Sept. 11 meeting. The Luke Church currently has more than 8,000 members.

Quote of note: “I hope that we'll continue to be an inspiration of what it means to be a resilient community and certainly a community committed to our faith,” said Timothy Sloan, senior pastor of The Luke Church.

• 2380 S. Houston Ave., Humble

Sept. 14 has been dubbed “Founder’s Day” in Humble to honor the city's namesake after Humble City Council unanimously approved the holiday Sept. 11.

The history: Pleasant Smith Humble, a justice of the peace and ferry operator for whom the city is named, opened a post office in his home for the community in 1886. He was named U.S. Postmaster on Sept. 14, 1886.

Notable quote: “We embrace our history,” Mayor Norman Funderburk said. “We're fortunate that we have such a rich history, and as part of that, we have significant milestones in our history that I think ... people should be made aware of." 

More than $7.9 million of Funds for Veterans’ Assistance, or FVA, grants have been awarded to 38 organizations in the Greater Houston area, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Sept. 12.

The gist: Abbott said the grants are part of the Texas Veterans Commission Grants Across Texas Tour. The grants support a wide range of services, from emergency financial assistance to transportation and home modification, according to a news release.

Quote of note:  “This over $7.9 million in grants will provide crucial services and financial support for our veterans and their families in the Gulf Coast and Houston so they can lead successful lives in our great state,” Abbott said.

Per a Sept. 12 press release, the American Cancer Society and Occidental have partnered to expand access to life-saving cancer treatment to patients across Texas. Occidental’s half-million-dollar donation will help the American Cancer Society continue to deliver the resources patients need to access cancer care that could save their lives.

The details: With the new contribution, Occidental is helping fund essential access to care programs that remove barriers often standing between diagnosis and survival for cancer patients, according to the release.

Programs the partnership is helping with include free lodging, rides to treatment and 24/7 support for cancer patients and caregivers.

Quote of note: “We are honored to contribute to the American Cancer Society and help remove barriers to accessing vital care so people can focus on their healing journey,” said Rob Stevens, vice president of supply chain with Occidental.