HEART OF MARIN AWARDS

Meet the winners of the 17th Annual Heart of Marin Awards

The Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership (Center) received a total of 138 nominations for the 17th Annual Heart of Marin Awards. Each winner received a hand-crafted, leaded glass sculpture and a check for their specific nonpforit agency. The winners of these prestigious awards are:

Volunteer of the Year Award
John and Millie Barett of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay for actively participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay’s fundraising activities, recruiting volunteers and coordinating environmentally conscious and outdoor activities for program participants. Pictured in slideshow with presenter and award sponsor Don Santa, Woodlands Market.

Excellence in Leadership
Edward Kaufmann, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay for his exemplary display of leadership during these challenging economic times. Pictured in slideshow with presenter and award sponsor Dr.Thomas Peters, Marin Community Foundation.

Corporate Community Service Award
Frank Howard Allen realtors for its efforts to the meet the needs of the less fortunate, by supporting nonprofits through financial contributions and the coordination of food and coat drives.

Excellence in Innovation
The Marin Institute for its creation of a dynamic Internet-based campaign called the “Free the Bowl,” which is designed to increase youth awareness of exploitative alcohol advertising and its relationship to alcohol-related harm.  

Excellence in Board Leadership
Charlotte Shell, President of the Board of the Novato Youth Center (NYC) for her commendable board governance that has enhanced NYC’s infrastructure.  Pictured in slideshow with presenter and award sponsor Denise Lucy, Dominican University.

Achievement in Nonprofit Excellence
The Headlands Institute for creating opportunities for more than 250,000 youth to learn, appreciate and explore the wonders of nature.  D.Bruce Wheeler, Board President and Elizabeth LaRose, Executive Director pictured in slideshow with presenter and award sponsor Julie Wilder, Autodesk.

Youth Volunteer of the Year Awards were granted to:

Taylor Crouch of the San Francisco Theological Seminary for his unique leadership abilities and commitment to social justice. As the President of the Drake Save Darfur Club, Crouch organized a group of students to write more than 400 letters to the President and the Congress promoting the eradication of genocide in Darfur.

Leah Guilasi, President of the Terra Linda High School Interact Club for her unyielding commitment to serving others, which prompted her to visit Colima Mexico on two occasions to serve more than 600 poor students in need of dental care.

Luigi Mendoza of Novato High School for persevering despite his own homelessness and volunteering his time to help run a program that buys clothing and essentials for victims of domestic violence.

Sergey Nikeyenkov of Next Generation Scholars for his tireless work, dedication and pursuit of peace through the PHOENIX PROJECT, a program that he established to give victims of violence an opportunity to share their stories.

Tyler Willis of Next Generation Scholars for his establishment of The FOOD FOR THOUGHT Program, an anti-hunger initiative that provides food to the families of Next Generation Scholars who are in need.

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2009 Heart of Marin Awards Recipients 750 people filled the Marin Exhibition Hall for the 17th Annual Heart of Marin Awards. The audience shared smiles, tears and laughter, as they observed the presentation of awards to recipients.

Founding Sponsor:

Tamalpais Bank’s mission is to serve the community. The Bank has committed to donating a percentage of the average annual balance of deposits to qualified nonprofit organizations in Marin County. We are proud to support over 150 Marin nonprofit organizations through our Community Outreach Program. For more information, please call 415-454-1212.

Awards Sponsors:

Achievement in Nonprofit Excellence
Autodesk

Excellence in Leadership
Marin Community Foundation

Youth Volunteer of the Year
Bank of Marin

Excellence in Board Leadership
Dominican University of California

Volunteer of the Year
Woodlands Market

Excellence in Innovation
Circle Bank

Corporate Community Service
Bregante + Company LLP
Benefitting Volunteer Programs of the Center

2009 Heart of Marin Awards
Jan Wahl - Mistress of Ceremonies

Jan Wahl, popular film critic of KCBS FM/AM and KRON 4 was the Mistress of Ceremonies for the 17th annual Heart of Marin Awards Luncheon.