Kathy Horstmann Huebert always knew she would lead a life of service.
As a long-time La Feliz Guild member, Derby Down hat maker extraordinaire, and most recently a member of the Valley Children's Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors, Kathy's mission to support her hometown is always top of mind.
A Valley native, Kathy's parents (John E.and Lollie Horstmann who are also longtime supporters of Valley Children's) instilled a sense of duty to support her community. Volunteering to support the Central Valley was a family tradition.
The desire to support Valley Children's began at the Horstmanns' home. When Kathy was born, it was discovered that she had both a cleft lip and cleft palate. For the next ten years, Kathy and her parents were in and out of Valley Children's Hospital for various surgeries to repair and rebuild her palate.
Kathy recalls the nurses, sights, and sounds of the old Hospital. She even remembers her parents standing outside the Hospital, looking into her room after visiting hours, to make sure she was okay.
These experiences with Valley Children's made an impression on Kathy and her family. Later on, she and her mother spoke with other families undergoing similar situations to help them understand what could be expected as their children dealt with the same challenge Kathy had already overcome. This early advocacy of Valley Children's was Kathy's first step. "Nobody in this Valley can do what Valley Children's does for children. They care about the whole child," Kathy says.
Kathy stayed in Fresno and went on to graduate from Fresno State's Craig School of Business. As an adult, she joined her parents in the insurance business and, as a vital part of the Horstmann Financial and Insurance Services team, now handles the office administration, group employee benefits sales, and life insurance among other responsibilities. Her brother, John, is also a key part of the business.
Kathy and her husband, Robert, live in Reedley and have been married for more than 30 years. They have one son, Sam, who followed in the footsteps of his parents and grandparents and is also a Fresno State grad. Robert and Sam work together in the family's business, Lee's Service. Sam recently became engaged. When his fiancée, Amanda, moved to the Central Valley a year and a half ago, she had only been in school-to become a medical assistant-for a few days before she participated in her first fundraiser, Kids Day. When Amanda read about Valley Children's she knew that was the place she would always want support and volunteer.
Supporting Valley Children's has always been a family affair for the Horstmanns and Hueberts. "There's a great need to support the place that supports our children, Valley Children's. They protect the children of this Valley," Kathy says with conviction. "It's a place that's worth giving your time and treasure to."
