After careful consideration by the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC) Board of Directors, and a record number of nominations from the community, recipients of the 12th Annual Peace Builder Award have been selected. This year’s recipients are:
- Maniac Coffee Roasting & Hammerhead Coffee Roasters Creative Collaboration Award- For their efforts to step outside of a traditionally competitive business model and explore how collaboration can be mutually beneficial.
- Sue Parrott, Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic Violence, Violence Prevention Award – In recognition of her decades of effort coordinating people, organizations, systems, and policies to affect positive change for those impacted by abuse.
- Mayor Kelli Linville & County Executive Jack Louws, Public Servant Award – For their willingness and commitment to model collaborative leadership and proactively work together for the betterment of Bellingham and Whatcom County.
- Betsy Gross, People for Lake Padden & Sierra Club, Volunteer Award – For her ability to bring people with diverse interests together to work toward a common goal of improving our environment and bettering our community.
- Lindsay MacDonald, Sehome High School, Education Award – For her dedication to helping ELL students feel safe, secure, and connected.
- Alice Clark, The Sunnyland Stomp, Community Award – For her ability to unite a community through art, creativity, and shared experience.
- Noemi Ban, Sharing is Healing; NW Center for Holocaust, Genocide and Ethnocide Education (WWU), Hope and Healing Award – For her willingness to transform her pain into healing, hope, and tolerance for others. “I really feel that hate is a prison. If I would have hate in my heart, then I would not be free.”
- Teen Council, Mt Baker Planned Parenthood, Youth Award – For helping to bridge the communication gap between adults and youth.
“The Peace Builder Awards are a distinct honor and significant way the WDRC highlights the remarkable efforts of community members and organizations furthering the WDRC vision for a community in which people approach conflict in creative and healthy ways,” stated WDRC Director, Moonwater.
The public is invited to join the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC) in celebrating these individuals and groups for their collaboration, creativity, and effort towards reducing conflict and strengthening our community. The 12th Annual Peace Builder Awards Gala takes place November 14, 2014 at 5:30 pm at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. Tickets for the gala are $45/guest or $75 for VIP tickets and can be purchased at whatcomdrc.org, by phone: (360) 676-0122, or in person at the WDRC.
In addition to presentation of the awards, guests will enjoy a bountiful dinner provided by Boundary Bay Brewery, live music by Lindsay Street, and Peaceful Poetry Youth Contest presentations; as well as a silent auction, wine wall, dessert dash, and a grand prize raffle. Raffle prizes include one night sustainable lodging and massage for two at the Tree Frog Night Inn, a luxury night’s stay at the Chrysalis Inn and Spa with a gift certificate to Keenan’s at the Pier, and a Porsche rental for the weekend from Roger Jobs Motors. Grand prize raffle tickets are available for purchase now and raffle ticket holders do not have to be present to win.
All proceeds of the Peace Builder Award’s Gala will benefit the WDRC and their mission to provide and promote constructive and collaborative approaches to conflict. For more information, contact Iris Maute-Gibson at 360-676-0122 or outreach@whatcomdrc.org.
