BIG SUNDAY Honored as ‘Outstanding Volunteer Organization’
The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Los Angeles Chapter, has named Big Sunday its “Outstanding Volunteer Organization of the Year” for 2007.
“Big Sunday is the perfect choice,” said Tena Yatroussis, a Big Sunday participant who nominated the group for the AFP award. “To get 50,000 people to come out on one weekend and work to better the community—that’s amazing.”
AFP provides support for a wide variety of nonprofit and charitable organizations. Each year, in conjunction with National Philanthropy Day, it honors individuals and groups that, through their hard work, enhance philanthropy in their communities.
“The concept of community service on Big Sunday crosses class, racial, socioeconomic and religious lines,” said Yatroussis, a development consultant who has taken part in Big Sunday for the past six years through her son’s school. “It’s not just about service; it’s about connecting people and community building. The idea that everybody has something to give—that’s really empowering.”
NPD was established in 1986 to celebrate the myriad contributions that individuals and organizations make each year. “It is a day that we can reflect on the profound impact that giving has on society,” said Barbara Racklin Bushnell, co-chair of NPD. “And it provides us with an opportunity to recognize the individuals and groups that make a difference in their communities.”
Awards were given in six other categories besides Outstanding Volunteer Organization. They included Outstanding Professional, Volunteer, Youth Volunteer, Corporate Foundation, Community Foundation and Philanthropist.
“We were extremely honored to win this award,” said David Levinson, executive director of Big Sunday. “Rather than simply honoring the organization itself, though, it’s really a tribute to the thousands and thousands of people who give so much of their time and talent to make Big Sunday something special.”
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