The Hon Kachina Council Announces Six Award Recipients To Be Honored At Its 35th Annual Presentation of The Hon Kachina Volunteer Awards
Event, which honors six of Arizona’s finest volunteers, is on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale.
PHOENIX (July 30, 2011) – “The Hon Kachina Council (HKC) is proud to announce its honorees for the organization’s 35th annual presentation of the Hon Kachina Volunteer Awards – Arizona’s most prestigious celebration of volunteerism, taking place on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Camelback Inn, a J.W. Marriott Resort & Spa, in Scottsdale,” said HKC Event Chair John Finnegan.
Nearly 75 nominations for volunteers (high school age or older) were received for consideration for this year’s milestone event, which is celebrating a 35 year legacy of promoting volunteerism, from cities and towns statewide, all of which have dedicated time, talent and passion to causes including health care; neighborhood revitalization; youth and senior activities; pets; the arts, education; food banks and nutrition services; justice; social services or other volunteer activities.
This year’s honorees are:
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Adalberto Jiminez, of Phoenix, Clinica Adelante, Inc. – Jiminez has been a community activist and leader for more than 40 years assisting migrant workers in Arizona obtain better living conditions.
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Annica Benning, Scottsdale, Walnut Canyon Press – Benning is a 17-year old student at ASU, a published author, volunteer and mentor whose goal is to promote literacy, multicultural understanding and dispel stereotypes within Native American Culture.
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Dr. Barbara Eiswerth, Tucson, Iskashitaa Refuge Harvesting Network – Eiswerth’s efforts support Tucson-based refugees from Africa, Asia and the Middle East by harvesting and distributing thousands of pounds of food from backyards and local farms to assist families in need.
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Betty McRae, Paradise Valley, Defenders Of Children – McRae is a lifelong veteran volunteer and community leader who has raised millions of dollars, mentored hundreds and inspired thousands of others to volunteer.
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Michael Teodori, MD, Tucson, Gift Of Life-Arizona, Inc. – For the past 22 years, Teodori has been and continues his commitment to help those who are less fortunate by providing no-cost medical care and support for needy children and their families who are suffering from congenital heart defects.
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Randy Christensen, MD, Phoenix, UMOM & American Diabetes Association – Christensen is determined to make a difference in the homeless youth population throughout Arizona as he leads a mobile health care unit which provides health needs, advocacy, job training, shelter, clothing for homeless children.
Each recipient will be honored at HKC’s exclusive awards presentation during the October 1 Awards event. Additionally, each winner will receive a one-of-a-kind hand carved Hon Kachina doll, considered by the Hopi Indian culture as the most powerful healing Kachina, and a cash award for their nonprofit organization.
In order to be chosen as an honoree, each nominated individual was carefully screened by a selection committee, which then chose 11-13 finalists who were personally interviewed along with their nominators through a series of five meetings totaling more than 500 volunteer hours. The Hon Kachina Volunteer Awards honorees were selected by a prestigious Board of Governors comprised of prominent business and civic leaders and members of the Hon Kachina Council and program partners.
“It’s a rigorous, but extremely worthwhile process,” said Finnegan. “We’re very excited about this year’s honorees and look forward to sharing their inspiring, heartwarming stories of hard work and dedication in the months leading up to our big event.”
Nominations for the 2012 event are now being accepted at the Hon Kachina Council’s website: www.honkachina.org. Those interested can either complete the nomination form and submit on line or by downloading the PDF and mailing it to The Hon Kachina Council, 3104 East Camelback Road, Suite 212, Phoenix, AZ 85016.
All nominations must be submitted electronically or postmarked no later than Friday, March 30, 2012. For more information, contact Pam Betz at (480) 905-1578 or via email at info@honkachina.org.
Since 1977, more than 375 nominees have been honored for their dedication to causes that include health care, neighborhood revitalization, youth and senior activities, the arts, education, justice, housing, nutrition or social services. Many have given what they can at great personal sacrifice.
The Hon Kachina Council, affiliated with St. Luke’s Health Initiatives, is a group of servant leaders from the Valley business and professional community who promotes volunteerism by recognizing ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things, applauding them and presenting them as an example to motivate others to volunteer.
The Hon Kachina Council can be found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
