The following will be recognized at the event:
Julian Ray Brown will receive the Young Achiever Award for his work in founding the non-profit organization “Kids Who Care of PA.” The organization’s mission is to help children who are less fortunate through fundraisers to make a difference in their lives. He and his organization have helped raise money for the Water Street Rescue Mission, Catholic Charities Intensive Day Treatment and Save the Children: Missing Mothers Children Affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Ashley Loiseau will receive the Young Achiever Award as founder of the non-profit organization “Walk in My Shoes.” Ashley has been collecting shoes to be donated to less fortunate individuals for which shoes are a luxury. Ashley’s roots are in Haiti, so the first shipment was delivered there.
The Program for Women and Families will be honored with the Outstanding Organization award for its program “Moments of Magical Storytelling” or “MOMS.” This program records the voices of incarcerated mothers reading bedtime stories so these recordings can be played for their children at home.
Valley Youth House will be given the Outstanding Organization award for making a difference in the lives of over 100,000 individuals since its inception over 35 years ago. Valley Youth House provides shelter, counseling and therapeutic recreation services to abused, neglected, and homeless children and their families.
Kathleen M. Mills will be honored with the Children’s Advocate award for her volunteer work with the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of St. Luke’s. Besides her many volunteer hours at the VNA, she is a dedicated ambassador for the organization promoting its programs throughout the community.
The 2009 Outstanding Friend to Kids Awards will be held Friday, November 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Hamilton Boulevard Building on Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served and a silent auction will take place during the event.
Tickets are $25 per person and can be reserved by contacting Lisa Liddington, Director of Development, at (610) 258-8500 ext. 18 or lliddington@wellercenter.org. Sponsorship packages are also available.
WFMZ-TV Channel 69 is the presenting partner. Additional support is provided by Linny and Beall Fowler, The Express-Times, The Morning Call, Cedar Crest College, Crayola and Lafayette Ambassador Bank. All proceeds will benefit the Weller Health Education Center’s preventive health education programs.