George Guastello – President and CEO of Union Station – was surprised and humbled today when learning of a very special honor.
Nonprofit Connect just named George “Nonprofit Professional of the Year”. The award will be formally presented on May 15th.
“I’m both surprised and humbled to receive this honor,” said George. “This is a true reflection of the incredible team at Union Station and our collective belief in what we do and who we serve. Our Board, Staff and Volunteers are the absolute best and I’m delighted to share this recognition with each of them.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2014
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jackie Baker, Director of Marketing
(816)-888-5605 [email protected]
Three Kansas Citians and one Kansas City business announced as the 2015 Philanthropy Awards Honorees
Kansas City, MO – Nonprofit Connect is thrilled to announce the 2015 Philanthropy Awards Honorees. Annette Bloch will be honored as the Philanthropist of the Year, Country Club Bank as the Business Philanthropist of the Year, George Guastello as the Nonprofit Professional of the Year and Peggy Borkon as the Volunteer of the Year.
2015 Philanthropy Award Honorees
Annette Bloch Philanthropist of the Year
Country Club Bank Business Philanthropist of the Year
George Guastello Nonprofit Professional of the Year
Peggy Borkon Volunteer of the Year
More information on the 2015 Philanthropy Awards Honorees provided on page 2.
The four Philanthropy Award recipients are a diverse group of Kansas Citians who have impacted the community through giving of their time, talent and funds, according to Executive Director Luann Feehan. Nonprofit Connect honors those who embody the spirit of giving in Kansas City by awarding the Philanthropy Awards annually. To date, the organization has honored over 100 established leaders and businesses in the Kansas City area for their contributions to the community. Nonprofit Connect will honor the award winners for their philanthropic contributions to the Kansas City community at the 31st Annual Philanthropy Awards Luncheon.
With more than 1,000 members of the nonprofit and for-profit community attending every year, the Philanthropy Awards Luncheon is Kansas City’s oldest and largest celebration of giving. The funds raised at the Awards Luncheon allow Nonprofit Connect to continue to offer education, resources and networking so that area nonprofit organizations can more effectively achieve their missions.
The Awards Luncheon will take place on Friday, May 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Muehlebach Tower at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. The 31st Annual Philanthropy Awards Luncheon Chairs are Deanna and Greg Graves.
The Philanthropy Awards Luncheon is open to the public. For more information about the Awards Luncheon, including tickets and sponsorships, please visit www.npconnect.org.
Nonprofit Connect is a membership organization and is the first source for nonprofit professionals, volunteers, students, funders and businesses seeking opportunities to network, learn and grow. Nonprofit Connect links the nonprofit community to education, resources and networking so organizations can more effectively achieve their missions.
2015 Philanthropy Awards Honorees
Annette Bloch, Philanthropist of the Year
After Annette’s husband Richard was diagnosed with cancer in 1978, the couple established the R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation and dedicated their lives to helping others stricken with cancer. When Richard passed, Annette continued his legacy through philanthropy with multiple multi-million dollar gifts to the University of Kansas Hospital to establish the Richard and Annette Bloch Heart Rhythm Center, Radiation Oncology Pavilion and Cancer Care Pavilion. She also established the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Center at Truman Medical Center. Through 34 years of philanthropy and advocacy, Annette Bloch has made Kansas City a destination center for world-class cancer care and made a remarkable impact for people living with cancer.
Country Club Bank, Business Philanthropist of the Year
As a community bank with deep roots in the metropolitan area since 1953, Country Club Bank is an outstanding corporate citizen with a decades-long commitment to supporting local charitable and civic organizations. The bank and its employees are generous in donating their time, treasure and talents, specifically to the Amy Thompson Run for Brain Injury benefiting the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City, Avila University, Cristo Rey, Catholic Charities and Command General Staff College Foundation. Annual donations and sponsorships directly impact the bottom line, and the total donated represents over 8% of the bank’s annual net income.
George Guastello, Nonprofit Professional of the Year
George has demonstrated leadership in the nonprofit arena in Kansas City for the past 25 years. His impressive career includes significant contributions working for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Starlight Theatre and the American Royal Association. As President and CEO of Union Station, George has successfully changed and stabilized the organization’s funding model, developed programming and raised substantial new funding. The momentous success that Union Station has achieved over the last six years is due, in no small part, to George’s energy and direction. He is a high octane leader who develops a vision and encourages those around him to be a part of its achievement.
Peggy Borkon, Volunteer of the Year
For 26 years, Peggy has truly made a difference for the organizations she has served and the lives they touch. Her extensive volunteer experience includes serving on multiple leadership committees and chairing countless events for Saint Luke’s Hospital, Children’s TLC and the American Heart and Stroke Association. Peggy also volunteers her time and talent behind the scenes by helping out in the classroom and even crocheting red scarves for heart disease victims. Peggy is a knowledgeable and dedicated ambassador for the causes she serves, and her contagious excitement engages others in giving back. There is no better example of the ultimate volunteer who answers the call for help every time.
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125 E. 31st Street, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64108 | 816-888-5600 | www.npconnect.org
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