Jan. 13, 2014. Here is a wonderful way to say thank you. Do you know someone who loves kids, cares about parents and caregivers and who has worked for years to make the High Country a better place for families? You have until March 4 to nominate that person for a Helping Hands or Helping Hearts award presented annually by The Children’s Playhouse.
The Great Friend to Families award recognizes sustained contributions by individuals to the well-being of young children and their families in the High Country area. Awards will be given in two categories, Helping Hands (those who help families through their careers) and Helping Hearts (those who help through generous philanthropy and outstanding volunteerism).
The award winners in each category will be honored at a luncheon on Saturday, March 22, and one overall winner will be presented with a framed photograph by Dwight Miller and $500 to donate to the High Country nonprofit of their choice.
Playhouse executive director Kathy Parham says this is a great way to say thank you to someone who has made a difference for families.
“It might be a teacher, doctor, nurse, coach, social worker, philanthropist or volunteer. When you think of helping families, who pops into your mind? Don’t you think that person deserves some recognition?”
Nomination forms are availabe online at the website www.goPlayhouse.org and members of the community and nonprofits are encouraged to nominate their favorite friend.
Forms can also be requested by calling The Children’s Playhouse at 828-263-0011. The winner will be chosen by a distinguished committee of local leaders. The deadline for nominations is March 4. Parham stresses that the nomination form is short and simple and easy to complete.
The award will be presented at a luncheon on Saturday, March 22, which will also feature a speech by Sheri Lynch of Charlotte’s The LINK Radio Network. Lynch is the author of two humorous books on her parenting experiences.
This is the fifth year the awards have been given. Past overall winners include Judith Winecoff, Pat Morgan, Trish Lanier and Jim Atkinson. A complete list of all past honorees is on the museum’s website. The Playhouse stipulates that while a Helping Hands or Helping Hearts honoree may be recognized multiple times, he or she may only win the overall Great Friend to Families award once.
The luncheon will also raise funds to support family resource services at The Children’s Playhouse, enabling the children’s museum to provide scholarship memberships to low income families, offer more programs for children and improve their exhibits.
Sponsors for the award are still being sought. Individuals and local businesses are invited to be a part of this wonderful tribute to a very special person to High Country families.
For more information, contact Kathy Parham at kathy@goPlayhouse.org. Tickets to the luncheon will go on sale in March.
A nonprofit children’s museum founded in 2002, The Children’s Playhouse provides an enriching play environment for children from birth to age eight while at the same time offering parents and caregivers friendly support in the important job of raising children.
It is located at 400 Tracy Circle near downtown Boone. Daily admission is $5 per person plus tax. A one year Playhouse Passport Membership for $125 includes admission to the Playhouse and half-price admission to more than 150 children’s museums nationwide. Scholarship memberships are available for families that meet income guidelines.
The Children’s Playhouse is supported in part by grants from the Barnickel Foundation, Watauga County, the High Country Women’s Fund, the Watauga Legacy Fund, the High Country United Way, Boone Service League and donations from individuals. For more information, call 828-263-0011.
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