Guest blog by Halana Dash, TTF Intern
We held our sixth annual Watershed Milestones Award Ceremony and Reception at our home at the historic Globe Dye Works in Frankford last month. This year, we honored 19 award winners in seven categories and had over 100 attendees.
The day began early for TTF staff and interns! We transformed Globe Dye Works’ factory floor into a colorful venue. Olney Christian School students made watercolor paintings for us to display that focused on two themes: “Our Beautiful Home” and “Clean Waters, Clean City.” The students also donated tissue paper butterflies that looked lovely draped around the room.
At 5:30 pm, the doors officially opened and members of the TTF community arrived. Guests enjoyed refreshments courtesy of Helen’s Pure Foods, Fill-a-Bagel Jenkintown, Cake Life Bake Shop, Anita’s Guacamole, and Good Spoon Soupery, a meal from Birchtree Catering, and beverages courtesy of Philadelphia Brewing Company and Philadelphia Distilling’s Bluecoat Gin.
We were proud to recognize our amazing sponsors — our Partner Alliance. These supporters make this event and our activities possible! (There’s still time to join this group….)
After mingling and enjoying the refreshments, we gathered on the factory floor for the awards presentation. TTF Executive Director, Julie Slavet, welcomed the crowd and introduced the evening’s keynote speaker, Philadelphia Water Department Commissioner Debra McCarty, Philadelphia’s first female Water Commissioner.
After Commissioner McCarter’s remarks about the positive impact of our work, the TTF team presented awards to winners in seven categories: Friend of the TTF Watershed, TTF Watershed Educator, TTF Watershed Municipal Leader, TTF Watershed Youth Champion, TTF Watershed Non-Profit Steward, TTF Watershed Corporate Steward, and the TTF Watershed Legacy Award.
The award winners’ acceptance speeches showed their dedication to supporting TTF, as well as TTF’s positive impact on our community. Be inspired by learning about these heroes by clicking on the links above. We were also so honored that Pennsylvania Representatives Jason Dawkins and Steve McCarter, as well Anthony Bellmon of U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle’s office joined us to recognize our honorees!
After the event, many people shared kind words. We shared a few below:
Susan Myerov: “Kudos to you and TTF’s fabulous staff and volunteers for another grand TTF Milestone event!! The hard work and intense planning that you, staff, and what seemed like dozens of interns undertake for this event is evident by the audience, flow, and organization of the evening. As usual, the place was buzzing; lots of conversation, and smiling faces. It’s always an inspiring event for me and I know many who feel the same. Thank you for your passion and dedication to this work and the watershed.”
Katherine Falso, TTF Educator Award Winner: “Thank you for the honor. Cheltenham Elementary has valued the support of TTF Watershed in our efforts to help our students and parents understand the importance of our environment, especially our waterways, to our physical, emotional, social, and, yes, spiritual well-being. As the old Earth Day saying goes, “There is no away.” Much success to your continuing hard work!”
After many months of hard work, we were thrilled that this year’s Milestones Ceremony successfully brought together donors, award winners, corporate partners, local businesses, and community members for an evening of conversation, food and drink, and reflection. We look forward to welcoming you to Milestones 2018!
Check out more photos here. Inspired by Milestones? Join us at an event or volunteer with us soon.
