The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center’s board of directors has selected the nonprofit organization’s 2013 Peace Builder Award recipients.
The Peace Builder Awards recognize individuals and groups for remarkable feats of collaboration, creativity and effort toward reducing
conflict and strengthening the community.
Winners will be honored during the 11th annual Peace Builder Awards Gala at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal.
Tickets can be purchased for $40 in advance from the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center, either online at www.whatcomdrc.org, by phone at 360-676-0122, or in person at 13 Prospect St., in downtown Bellingham. Limited tickets may also be purchased at the door for $50.
The event will include a dinner buffet provided by Boundary Bay Brewery, live music by Lindsay Street and presentations from the Peaceful Poems Youth Contest. It will also feature door prizes, a silent auction, wine wall, dessert dash and a grand prize raffle.
“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,” said the WDRC’s executive director, Moonwater, in a news release.
Proceeds from of gala will benefit the center’s mission to provide and promote constructive and collaborative approaches to conflict.
This year’s Peace Builder Awards and winners are:
– Creative Collaboration Award: Boundary Bay Brewery, Chuckanut Brewery and Kulshan Brewing Company
“For their unique effort to develop a “Collaboration Beer” through a cooperative relationship; demonstrating that competitors can achieve mutual gain and an enhanced sense of community by working together.”
– Volunteer Award: Denise CoStanten of Brigadoon Service Dogs
“For her vision in creating Brigadoon Service Dogs, a service organization devoted to training dogs for people with disabilities and thereby empowering people to achieve peace and freedom through companionship and comfort.”
– Community Member Award: David Sawicki, BP and Whatcom Unified Emergency Management
“For helping to form a collaborative and cohesive team of city,county and port officials to ensure an adequate Emergency Operations Center for Whatcom County.”
– Youth Program Award: Kids Council Northwest
“For efforts to support youth who have experienced the loss of a family member, and building peace by creating a sense of connectedness and community during the most difficult of circumstances.”
– Organization Award: Lydia Place
“For building peace within our community by meeting the most basic needs for homeless families though collaborative efforts to provide housing and support services.”
– Health Care Award: Dr. Bree Johnston and the Palliative Care Unit Team of PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center
“For their role in preventing and easing suffering in patients experiencing serious illness through collaborative efforts to partner with an interdisciplinary team of health care professionals and ensure continuity of care throughout the hospital and community.”
– Program Award: Pastor Joel Langholz and the Happy Valley Neighborhood Association, Southside Community Meals
“For their efforts to build peace and harmony among neighbors by bringing people together to create a sense of understanding, connectedness and community.”
– Public Servant Award: Ruth Holbrook of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Resource Center
“For peace-building efforts that demonstrate a steadfast commitment and belief in mediation as a win-win way to resolve conflicts between consumers and businesses.”
