[Archived] Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities Seeks Nominations for Annual Awards

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities
Seeks Nominations for Annual Awards

The Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities announces its annual presentation of awards. Each year private citizens, community groups, business leaders, and local high schools nominate outstanding citizens, organizations, and graduating seniors for these esteemed awards.
Citizens are encouraged to submit nominations in one or all three of the categories. Selection of the respective recipients will be based on information presented in the Nomination Package. All nominations must be postmarked no later than April 30. Nomination Packages can be sent to:

Carol Stewart, Disability Resources Coordinator
Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities
Department of Human Services
Office on Aging and Adult Services
2525 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301

The respective awards will be presented in a special Awards Ceremony on June 22.

The John Duty Collins III Outstanding Advocate Award was established in 1989 in memory of John Duty Collins III, a founder and Vice Chair of the Commission on Persons with Disabilities. During his lifetime, Mr. Collins worked tirelessly to improve accessibility in facilities throughout Alexandria. He is also responsible for the establishment of the DOT Para-Transit Program. The award includes a $500 donation in the recipient’s name to an entity that contributes to the promotion of equal opportunity for persons with disabilities within the City of Alexandria.
The $500 Community Organization Grant was established to assist non-profit agencies throughout Alexandria in their efforts to remove barriers and extend services to Alexandria citizens with disabilities. Each grant must be matched by resources from the applicant organization. Funds for the grants are raised through an annul fund raiser sponsored by the Commission.

The Gerry Bertier Scholarship is awarded on the basis of merit and financial need to Alexandria City residents with disabilities who are graduating from high school this year. Funds for the scholarships are raised through an annual fund raiser. The scholarship was established to recognize the accomplishments of Gerry Bertier, a graduate of TC Williams High School who was an All-American Football Player and Co-Captain of the 1971 team that won TC Williams the State Championship. After being injured in an automobile accident that left him with a mobility impairment, he became a strong advocate for disability rights. He won a Gold Medal as a member of the U.S. Wheelchair Olympics basketball team in 1980. He received the national Volunteer of the year award in 1981 given by the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped.

For additional information, call Carol Stewart at 703.838.0711 (voice), 703.836.1493 (TDD), or 703.838.0886 (fax).

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