Community of philanthropists recognized
The Association of Fundraising Professionals will honor local philanthropists at its 27th annual Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon.
“National Philanthropy Day’s goal is to celebrate and recognize those who give, volunteer and are charitable, and on this day we highlight those accomplishments,” Erica McCain, National Philanthropy Day chair, said. This year’s luncheon will be held 11:30 a.m. Nov. 11 at East Ridge Country Club.
“AFP is a community of fundraising professionals who believe in good ethical fundraising and the betterment of our community,” McCain said. “Through this event, we inform the community of the great nonprofit work that is done day in and day out, as well as highlight the milestones of those who take philanthropy to the next level. The goal is to have the community fully engaged in philanthropy, which is important to show the impact it has our community.”
The award recipients for National Philanthropy Day are chosen through a nomination process. The Selection Committee is comprised of community leaders, past recipients, and community representatives. This year’s local recipients were selected based on their work to further philanthropy in North Louisiana.
“This year every nomination category was fully represented,” McCain said.
Michael H. Woods will be recognized as Outstanding Philanthropist for “passionately removing barriers to help individuals gain access to higher education.” Woods’ donations to BPCC allowed six people to obtain scholarships from the Michael H. Woods Family First Generation Undergraduate Endowed Scholarship Fund. Also, in April 2014 Woods hosted more than 60 community leaders at his office to learn about services and opportunities available to help Northwest Louisiana citizens gain skills for employment and a college education at Bossier Parish Community College.
Encana Corporation will be honored as Outstanding Philanthropic Organization. Encana’s approach to community giving is to strategically invest in the areas of education, environment, community life and Encana employees. Encaca supports the development of a
sustainable energy industry workforce through investments in STEM
educational programs. Additionally, Encana has a strong relationship
with the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana; the two work together to care
for school children by sending home backpacks of nutritional food every
Friday and on holidays so that qualifying students could eat over the
weekends. In 2013, a donation from Encana allowed the Food Bank of
Northwest Louisiana to purchase four truckloads, representing 134,000
pounds of food and other items, that reached 72,000 food insecure
clients.
The title of Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer will go to John T. Hubbard, who serves on multiple boards including BPCC Foundation, Independence Bowl, Defender of Liberty Barksdale Air Show, Holiday ‘N Dixie and the Red River Revel, just to name a few. Hubbard tirelessly advocates for support of our local Independence Bowl as well as for ways to improve the lives of all in Northwest Louisiana.
Martha P. Marak will be named Outstanding Fundraising Executive. Marak serves as executive director of the Food Bank of North Louisiana. Under her leadership, the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana, has provided food for over 67,000 households in seven parishes, filling cabinets that would have otherwise been empty. Since 2008, Marak has used her expertise as a fundraiser to raise over $6 million dollars in monetary gifts and $25 million in in-kind contributions. She is unrelenting in her efforts on behalf of those who lack the basic necessities to sustain themselves.
This year’s Outstanding Young Adult Philanthropic Leader is Britney Patrice Kelly. Kelly, a student at Louisiana Tech University majoring in fashion merchandising, has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to her community. As a youth, she volunteered at community events such as Bossier Community Day, the Red River Revel, ArtBreak and Bossier Chamber Christmas Parade. Kelly already owns her own boutique, Kenzie and Steph, whose goal is “to help shape the style evolution of the higher ed female.”
For ticket information, contact Lynn Stevens at [email protected] or 771-1929.
–Kirk Fontenot
