Lauren Neugbauer: A tribute to a dedicated community volunteer

For 22 years Lauren Neugebauer dedicated ​ herself to make​ a difference in Dripping Springs. Her quiet advocacy​, committed work ethic and enthusiastic​ spirit make her a valuable community activist and an inspiring person.

While raising her two daughters, Sommer and Sydney, together with her husband Chris, Lauren began her volunteer service in the local schools: joining DSES PTA, and later, the DSMS Science Fair. She also volunteered for the DS Library. As her daughters grew, Lauren invested herself in other local organizations: joining Thundering Paws Cat Sanctuary in 2010 and the Friends of the Pound House Foundation in 2013.

"Lauren has worn many hats on the board," says Thundering Paws Executive Director, Anne Zabolio. "She is an ardent volunteer, the only person whom I could call on the spur of the moment."

This defines Lauren's willingness ​to dig in ​and help wherever needed, as she has shown the same flexibility and involvement at the Dr. Pound Farmstead. In her 8 years with the museum she has done everything from serving on the board of directors, to manually caring for the grounds and greeting visitors as a docent.

As Jenny Pack, Executive Director for The Pound House shares, "Lauren single-handedly stepped in and educated herself in collections care and management to ensure the preservation of our museum artifacts, and she did so unasked. She has been an integral part of our foundation."

While her decadeslong contributions to these Dripping Springs organizations have been immeasurable, family is Lauren's biggest priority. Her girls have moved on to successful endeavors on the east coast and Lauren and Chris are ready to be closer to them. Wherever she goes, the next community will be lucky to have her. We thank Lauren for her tremendous charity, and we will certainly miss her. We will continue to be inspired by the impact one person can have to help so many.