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Popular Broadcaster Sheri Lynch Keynote Speaker at Great Friend to Families Award Ceremony March 22

March 10, 2014. Known for her quick wit and fun banter on Charlotte’s “Bob and Sheri Show,” Sheri Lynch of the LINK Radio Network will be the featured speaker at the 6th annual Great Friend to Families Award Luncheon on March 22 at the Reich College of Education on Appalachian State University’s campus. Presented by The Children’s Playhouse, these awards will honor thirteen High Country residents for their dedicated efforts helping children and families. 

imgresThe Bob and Sheri Show heard in more than 50 radio stations across the United States and Lynch has earned many honors, including four Gracie Allen Awards, in recognition of her outstanding achievement in the realistic portrayal of women in media.

Playhouse executive director Kathy Parham said, “Sheri Lynch is known for her humor, but she is also a passionate advocate for children and families. She speaks frankly about her own turbulent childhood due to an abusive father and the many hands and hearts along the way who helped her overcome those challenges.”

This year’s Helping Hands (those who help families through their careers) award winners are Jennifer Grubb Warren, Ned Fowler, Mark Freed, Kaaren Hayes, Tiffany Minton, Todd Mortensen and Bobbie Willard. 

The Helping Hearts (those who help through generous philanthropy or outstanding volunteerism) are Fred Abernethy, Sarah Griffith Hawkins, Rebekah Gyger, Meggan Knight, Elizabeth (Libba) Moore and Jan Rienerth.

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. The winner is chosen by a distinguished committee of local leaders: Jim Atkinson (last year’s winner), Sara Mayhew and Kay Stacy. 

The 2014 Great Friend to Families Awards are sponsored by the Reich College of Education, Anonymous, Mast General Store, BREMCO, and the Transcendental Meditation Center of Boone. Food for the event is provided by Earth Fare Boone, the Mast Farm Inn, Panera of Boone, and Espresso News.

Tickets can be purchased at website, http://www.goplayhouse.org/events/Great_Friend_to_Families_award.html or at The Children’s Playhouse, 400 Tracy Circle, Boone. For more info, call 828-263-0011.

This is the 6th year the awards have been given. Past over-all winners include Judith Winecoff, Pat Morgan, Dick and Joan Hearn, 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 be 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.

About The Children’s Playhouse

A nonprofit children’s museum founded in 2002, The Children’s Playhouse provides an enriching play environment for children from birth to age eight that at the same time offering parents and caregivers friendly support in the important job of raising children. Stimulating programs, enticing play areas and exhibits, and informative parenting resources all support this mission.