21st Annual Grace Awards Announced
February 04, 2008
a Grace PLACE is pleased to announce the following honorees to be feted at the black-tie 21st Annual Grace Awards dinner on March 6, 2008:
The Good Shepherd Award honors the significant contributions of an individual to better the lives of the members of Virginia’s elderly, disabled, mental health and mental retardation communities, the inaugural honoree of which was Governor M. Timothy Kaine. The 2008 honorees are Garth and Max Larcen of Max’s Positive Vibe Café. Positive Vibe provides hands-on training and meaningful employment in food services to individuals with physical and developmental disabilities in a completely accessible facility. Their nationally and internationally recognized model allows its participants to experience the “freedoms of everyday life that Virginians without disabilities enjoy.” (Gov. Timothy Kaine, Executive Order 1, 2006)
The Louis Michaux Award honors an individual or group whose actions have enabled a Grace PLACE to fulfill its mission of enhancing the lives of adults and their caregivers by providing individually focused day services to support community-based living. The 2008 honoree is KOVAR, “a Virginia Knights of Columbus charity which provides grants and home loans to organizations that care for people with intellectual disability.” KOVAR has been a tireless supporter of the Connections program of a Grace PLACE, which serves individuals with cognitive impairments and developmental disabilities.
The Grace Award honors an individual or group who has exhibited extraordinary dedication to a Grace PLACE through volunteer service, and by recruiting and stimulating others to volunteer. The 2008 honoree is the United Way of Greater Richmond Petersburg, which has introduced hundreds of volunteers to a Grace PLACE through volunteer service, many of whom have remained long-term volunteers and friends of the agency.
Adding to the festivities will be nationally-known “Sit down Standup Comedian” Brett Leake, the first disabled comedian to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno & the 2008 American Humor Treasure Award recipient, and a special appearance by Richmond favorite and Nationally-noted, Singer-Songwriter, Susan Greenbaum.
Reservations are $150 per person, and are available by calling (804) 261-0205, extension 117.
