The Giving Circle’s 2017 Compassion Awards
SARATOGA SPRINGS – The need never stops, though it does shift. And, these days – the need grows. Cropping up all over the globe….
In the aftermath of both natural and man-made catastrophes, one thing you can bank on is the need.
Which is why a moment was taken, on Thursday evening, November 9, to salute the resolute ones: The individuals and organizations who never stop giving.
The Canfield Casino had a sense of pride and purpose on this night. At the beginning, where Kim Klopstock had everyone held hands as she imparted eccumenical blessings of goodness – all the way through to the close, where Giving Circle Courage Award recipient Don Petersimes led all attendees in a warm rendition of This Land is Your Land.
And yet, the cold weather outside the Casino shocked you back to the reality that need never takes a night off. Not for Code Blue clients or victims of domestic violence in our hometown. Not for our friends in the Caribbean who struggle to survive without electricity. Not for those in Africa who live their lives without clean water and/or under the thumb of oppression.
Which is why these people give. Give and give some more. And even more.
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The 2017 Awards and the Recipients:
Local Individual Resident – Maggie Fronk of Wellspring
Local Business – Gary Dake of Stewart’s
Local Non-Profit – The Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church
The Founders Award – Jim Towne
The Giving Circle Courage Award – Don Petersimes
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TGC Team Awards:
The Serge Shishik Memorial Local Team Member of the Year – The Mann Family
TGC Uganda Individual Member of the Year – Hope Stevens Neikirk and Caren Baker
TGCA Uganda-based Individual Member of the Year – Emma Walubi
Compassion defined:
noun
“A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.”
That’s a perfect spot to end things.
Arthur Gonick
Additional Photos Provided
November 11, 2017
