Ten outstanding volunteers will be recognized by United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) in conjunction with Indiana Black Expo at the 28th annual Diversity Volunteer Recognition Breakfast, Saturday, July 16, 9 a.m., at the Indiana Convention Center 500 Ballroom.
“These honorees remind us that making life better for our whole community is a job that can be done well by both young and old. It can be tackled by the lifelong Hoosier and the newcomer, and by those who are in corporate America or outside it,” said Ellen K. Annala, UWCI’s president and chief executive officer. "They are diverse in their interests, their cultures and their heritage. But they are alike in their drive to make a good community better, and for that we are deeply thankful!"
Honorees include:
* Outstanding Service, Youth: Celina Anez, 17, for service as a Teen Court volunteer attorney who helped more than 100 youthful offenders get a second chance.
* Outstanding Service, Young Adult: Larry J. Morris, for work to advance civic participation by providing trainings through Public Allies.
* Outstanding Service, Adult: Joy Mason, for service to the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis that provides scholarships to at-risk students. And, to Young-Hee Yedinak, for leadership with the Asian American Alliance Inc. that's grown the organization's community outreach.
* Outstanding Service, Senior: Gonzalo T. Chua, for helping the Indianapolis Chinese Medical Association provide free health services to underprivileged.
* Diversity Advocate Award: Murvin A. Enders, for leadership to United Way of Central Indiana in furthering its diversity goals and metrics. And, to James O Tanniehill, for volunteering at Take Down Crime to help young people avoid criminal activity.
* Lis Daily Outstanding Board Service: Crystal G Livers-Powers, for leadership with Girl Scouts of Central Indiana that's benefitting generations of girls. And, to Patricia Treadwell, for service at Martin Center Inc. during a time of change.
* Sarah Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award: Ralph Taylor, for making Indianapolis a welcoming community to diverse cultures through his service to many local community-based organizations. Keynote speaker at the breakfast is Jatrice Martel Gaiter, executive vice president of external affairs at Volunteers of America’s National Office is a frequent presenter on leadership, health, women’s issues, fundraising, public policy and nonprofit management. Gaiter has appeared on many national news programs and The Oprah Winfrey Show and NPR.
Event co-chairs Adrianne Slash and Rupal Thanawala said tickets are $25 for individuals, $500 for a corporate table of 10 seats and $250 for a nonprofit organization table of 10 seats. Register online. Sponsors include the Asian American Alliance Inc., Citizens Energy Group, Eli Lilly and Company, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and WTHR Channel 13.