Golf Classic benefit to honor volunteer

Sylvia Caracio will be honored at the 22nd annual Woodlands Celebrity Golf Classic.

If you’re familiar with The Woodlands Celebrity Golf Classic, you likely associate it with Sylvia Caracio, who has been involved with the event since she first arrived in the Houston area 21 years ago. Now, more than two decades later, she will be the honoree at the fundraiser.

Caracio, 75, spent many years as a schoolteacher before moving here, beginning her career in California. Her husband was a Marine, and they moved to Hawaii. She continued to teach there until she moved to Dallas, where she started working as a substitute teacher and eventually became a full-time middle school teacher.

Once she arrived in The Woodlands, she got involved with Montgomery County Youth Services, or MCYS.

She stresses the importance of the work the group does, which helps children and families across the county. At the same time, she admits that raising funds can sometimes be difficult, because people aren’t familiar with the agency.

Yet MCYS has flourished over the years, thanks in part to The Woodlands Celebrity Golf Classic. The two-day event will allow participants to play a few rounds of golf, bid on great items in a silent auction and meet PGA Tour professional Jeff Maggert, who is hosting the event.

After the tournament, Caracio will remain involved in the community. Although she enjoys other pursuits as well, including her work with the Alley Theatre and The Woodlands Living Arts Council, much of her post-teaching life has been dedicated to helping those in need. She is particularly proud of her town’s support of many of these charitable causes.

“There are just so many charities,” Caracio said. “I’ve always said that I hope I’m never down and out, but if I am, I hope I live around here. There is something for everybody.”

For information on the event, which takes place Nov. 16-17 at The Woodlands Country Club, visit www.thewoodlandstx.com/events/the-22nd-annual-woodlandscelebrity- golf-classic.php. For information on MCYS, visit www.youthmc.org.

ABOUT SYLVIA CARACIO
OCCUPATION: Retired school teacher
COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Member of the board of directors for The Woodlands Celebrity Golf Classic
FAST FACT: Named 2002 and 2011 Woman of Distinction