Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency is getting ready to celebrate the 2017 Community Champions.
For 51 years, Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency has been dedicated to empowering local families toward positive self-sufficiency. The Community Champion Awards recognize the hard work and dedication of people in the community who are also dedicated to helping people and changing lives in our community.
This year’s recipients are:
- John Furman, 2017 Treva Wood Community Activist Award
The Treva Wood Community Activist Award is presented to an individual who has dedicated themselves to fight for the empowerment of the low-income members of our community. This individual works tirelessly for the rights and the opportunities for success of each individual in the tradition of Treva Wood, past executive director of MVCAA. Previous Recipients include: Rev. Maritza Perez; Catherine Bullwinkle; Lucille Soldato; Rev. Dr. Maria Scates; Jawwaad Rasheed; Ray Lenarcic; Dr. Charles Burns, DDS; Matt Miller; Harry Bilton; Rose White; Warren Molo; Herbert Thorpe.
- Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, 2017 Community Visionary
This award is given to an individual who has contributed unselfishly to the betterment of our community as a whole, and works toward the goal of ending poverty in our community. Previous Recipients include: Alice J. Savino; The Hon. Anthony Picente; Rocco Arcuri; Dr. Randall VanWagoner; Craig Minor; RoAnn Destito; Rev. Philip Hearn; Jacquiline Schmidt; Rev. Bruce Webster.
- Utica Police Department’s Adopt A Police Officer Program, 2017 Community Builder
The Community Builder Award is given to a business or group that has contributed unselfishly to the betterment of our community. This business/group is involved in the local community and committed to making a difference. Previous recipients include: Commissioner Timothy Seymour; Delores Caruso; Thomas Revels; Mohawk Valley EDGE; Dennis Surace; Stephen Zogby; NYS Troop D Zone 1; Kathleen Rinaldo; Craig Grant; Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties.
- Wah Wah Moses, 2017 Community Achiever
The Community Achiever Award is presented to a family or individual who has overcome poverty to become an active member of the community. This family/individual has met their challenges with confidence, sought guidance and support, and is now actively creating a better life for their family and giving back to their community.
The awards will be presented at the agency’s 51st-anniversary celebration Gala Friday, May 12, at Hart’s Hill Inn. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by the award presentation at 7 p.m., and dining and dancing until 10 p.m. Seats to the Gala are $75 each and may be purchased on the Agency’s web site, www.mvcaa.com, or by calling the Agency at 315-624-9930 x2259.