Ann Hefley 11 Alive News Release
WXIA-TV/Atlanta – Hours of selfless commitment, a deep desire to help others, role models who are working
to make a difference in our community. At this year’s 11Alive Community Service Awards,11Alive will proudly recognize
eleven outstanding community leaders who embody these qualities and whose dedication and service has changed people’s
lives.. Hosted by 11Alive News Anchors Brenda Wood and Ted Hall,, the 36th annual 11Alive Community Service Awards
will be broadcast Saturday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. on WXIA and Sunday, April 24 that 12:30p.m. on WATL. The live
television taping will take place Tuesday, April 19th at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel.
An 11Alive tradition, the Community Service Awards annually honors members of our society who generously give their
talents, time and resources to improving the lives of others.. This year’s recipients have given back to the community
in many and varied ways, which include helping at risk young men, advocating for children, sending care packages to our
troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, providing a safe refuge for exploited young women, establishing and supporting food
services for seniors, mentoring and recruiting medical personnel, fund raising andorganizing dream vacations for seriously
ill children, providing emotional support to individuals suffering serious brain injuries, donating food, time and staff
to feed the community.Proud sponsors include The Coca-Cola Company and the United Parcel Service Foundation. Proceeds
from this year’s event will benefit the Emory University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center ((ADRCC).
Award Recipients
Ann Boriskie for creating, developing and implementing the Brain Injury Peer Visitor Program in Georgia, where team members visit brain injury survivors and their care givers.
Click on her website link
www.braininjurypeervisitor.org
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Deidri Cumbie for providing leadership and support of Vision Rehabilitation Services of Georgia and serving as a volunteer to
other non-profit and United Way agencies..
Horace Dukes for founding Dukes Foundation, an organization which mentors at-risk boys and young men, providing tools,
opportunities and support to help them achieve academic and cultural success..
Gaylee Gellerstedt for service to Our House, Inc. and for over 30 years of volunteer activity in the Atlanta community
providing a voice for those who do not have a voice of their own, particularly young children..
Ho Su Kim for his volunteer work at The Center for Pan Asian Community Service, Inc., where he founded the Food Pantry
program which provides food assistance to families and seniors in need.
Virginia Pearson for co-founding Operation Sandbox, a care package program, sending gifts to our troops in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
Kevin Rathbun for his contributions to Open Hand, providing his talent, food, time and staff in support of the organization’s
continued growth and success serving the community.
Jeanne Spears for service with the Red Cross, volunteering, mentoring and recruiting nurse volunteers as well as serving as a Red Cross National
Liaison to the CDC.
Bert Weiss for founding Bert’s Big Adventure, which provides children with chronicor terminal illness the opportunity to
experience a special weekend with their families at Disney World.
Lisa Williams for founding Living Water for Girls, a residential therapeutic refuge for young girls who have been brutalized
by commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
The refuge employs progressive therapies and activities to build positive self images and healthy life styles..
The Boisfeuillet Jones Award Recipient:
Ted Turner for his unprecedented global philanthropic work and significant contributions to both
local and worldwide business communities. Turner founded the Turner Foundation, the Captain Planet Foundation
and the Turner Endangered Species Fund to protect our planet and its inhabitants; the Nuclear Threat Initiative to
close the growing and increasingly dangerous gap between the threat from nuclear, chemical and biological weapons;
and with Turner’s historic $1 billion pledge,the United Nations Foundation supports the goals and objectives of
the United Nations to promote a more peaceful, prosperous and just world. Turner brought Atlanta into the global
spotlight by building aportfolio of unrivaled cable television news and entertainment brands and businesses,
including CNN, TBS Superstation, Headline News, TNT, Cartoon Network, Turner Classic Movies, and as the owner
of the Atlanta Braves, Hawks and Thrashers. In keeping with Turner’s commitment to smart business and eco-friendly
practices, the Ted’s Montana Grill restaurant chain, headquartered in Atlanta, utilizes innovative ways to reduce
waste and energy consumption..