2011 Distinguished Service Award Recipients Announced

Dec. 12, 2011 - PRLog -- River East Emerging Leaders today announced the recipients of the 2011 Inaugural Distinguished Service Awards for outstanding service and dedication to the East of the River community. They include three individuals from Wards 7 and 8 that serve youth, families and the greater community; a major funding foundation that supports a number of East of the River organizations; and a legendary community icon with over 35 years of local service and activism.

Hosted by NBC4’s Tracee Wilkins, the Awards program will happen Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. during the annual Holiday and Dessert Social at the Honfleur Gallery in downtown Anacostia, D.C.

“We are proud to honor these amazing individuals and organizations,” said r.e.e.l. President Charles Wilson, “They each illustrate the great work underway in our community that often goes unnoticed. Each of them are more than deserving of this Award and so much more.”

Sponsored by the William C. Smith + Co, ARCH Development Corporation and Honfleur Gallery, the 2011 Inaugural Distinguished Service Awards are given to individuals or organizations that have had significant impacts East of the River through service and outreach endeavors. Recipients have demonstrated a sustained commitment to r.e.e.l.’s mission of engaging and empowering the community including neighborhood investment, volunteerism, education, service to youth and families, increasing access to healthcare, wellness care, and healthy foods and raising environmental awareness in our communities.  

The Awards selection committee, which is comprised of r.e.e.l. members, reviewed more than 15 nomination packets received at http://www.reeldc.org in November 2011.

The 2011 Award recipients:

:: The Ward 7 Award recipient is Christina Henderson for outstanding service to inner-city youth and her work with local organizations and national leaders to provide a refuge and resource center for the local community through the efforts of the Southeast White House.

:: Ward 8 Award recipient is Jackie Lashley Ward for her dedication and commitment to the Ward 8 residents through her incredibly selfless role as a constituent services specialist in Councilmember Barry’s office.

:: The Ward 8 Honorable Mention Award goes to Parklands Community Center (website) for working to improve the quality of life of low-income and disadvantaged families through mentoring, parenting workshops and community-side substance abuse prevention programs.

:: The East of the River Award recipient is Annie E. Casey Foundation for their extensive development and support of several East of the River initiatives and non-profits that have improved the lives of countless Ward 7 and 8 residents and communities.

:: The Volunteer of the Year Award recipient is Bernard Suber for demonstrated and sustained commitments to r.e.e.l.’s mission and objectives and for outstanding service on the Leadership and Engagement Committee (LEC).

The organization has issued two special honors this year:

:: The 2011 Presidential Award recipient is Philip Pannell for his nearly four decades of stalwart  passion, dedication, service and commitment to East of the River, the District of Columbia, and more recently, the River East Emerging Leaders.

:: The 2011 Board of Directors’ Award recipient will be announced and honored during the awards program.

“These unsung heroes are often the first to respond to challenging situations in our communities,” said Troy Donte’ Prestwood, Awards coordinator and r.e.e.l. vice president.  “When I see communities cleaned up; youth that didn’t become statistics; or a disadvantaged mother and child get back on their feet, I think of these incredible honorees.”

The annual Holiday Dessert and Social takes place from 7-10:00 p.m. with the Awards program featured from 7:30-8:15 p.m. Community leaders, elected officials, local residents, organizations and businesses from Wards 7 & 8 and beyond will be in attendance. The greater community is welcome to attend and new-member registration will be available at the onsite.

:: View Awards Information:
http://www.reeldc.org/index.php/component/content/article...

:: View media release on Host Tracee Wilkins:
http://www.prlog.org/11745853-nbc4s-tracee-wilkins-to-hos...


ABOUT RIVER EAST EMERGING LEADERS
Conceived by a group of urban professionals and community activists from Washington, D.C.’s Wards 7 and 8 communities, the River East Emerging Leaders (r.e.e.l.) is a nonprofit organization created to engage and empower the East of the River community by strengthening bonds between residents, businesses and government; stimulating interest in East of the River neighborhoods, and fostering dialogue that leads to solutions for community growth and investment. To learn more about r.e.e.l., visit: http://www.reeldc.org. Follow us on http://twitter.com/reel_dc and like us at http://www.facebook.com/reeldc