Honoring a Legacy. Celebrating Impact.
The Sam Provence Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities in Texas.
Named in honor of Helping Restore Ability’s founder, Sam Provence, this award celebrates those who embody his legacy of perseverance, advocacy, and breaking down barriers to independence.
About Sam Provence
Sam Provence founded Helping Restore Ability in 1977 with a simple but powerful belief: no person with a disability should be without the support needed to live independently.
After contracting polio at the age of nine and losing the use of his arms and legs, Sam relied on a respirator during the day and an iron lung at night. Despite these challenges, he became a tireless advocate for accessibility, independence, and dignity for people with disabilities, long before these principles were widely recognized.
His vision laid the foundation for independent living services in Texas and continues to guide Helping Restore Ability today.
About the Award
The Sam Provence Award honors individuals who:
- Demonstrate meaningful impact on the lives of people with disabilities
- Lead through advocacy, service, innovation, or leadership
- Inspire others and strengthen their communities
- Advance accessibility, independence, and inclusion
Both recent achievements and sustained contributions are considered, with an emphasis on current and ongoing impact.
Submit a Nomination
We invite you to nominate an individual whose work deserves to be recognized and celebrated.
Nomination Deadline:
April 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM (CST)
April 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM (CST)
Submit your nomination: Sam Provence Award – Nomination Form – Fill out form
Nominators may also submit supporting materials, including:
- Up to three (3) letters of recommendation
- Media coverage or publications
- A photo of the nominee
Supporting materials can be emailed to:
marketing@hratexas.org
marketing@hratexas.org
Award Presentation
The recipient of the 2026 Sam Provence Award will be honored at HuRrAh! 2026, Helping Restore Ability’s annual celebration, on May 8, 2026.
Questions?
For more information about the award or nomination process, please contact:
Helping Restore Ability – Development & Marketing Team
📧 marketing@hratexas.org
Helping Restore Ability – Development & Marketing Team
📧 marketing@hratexas.org
Help Us Honor a Legacy
Every nomination helps us recognize those who are continuing Sam Provence’s work-expanding independence, opportunity, and dignity for people with disabilities across Texas.