2011 Disability Pride Dinner and Independence Awards
On August 25, 2011, TRCIL celebrated achievements in the local disability community during our annual Disability Pride Dinner and Independence Awards at the Omni William Penn Hotel. Guests were entertained by jazz legend Etta Cox during the cocktail hour. WQED OnQ Magazine host and journalist, Chris Moore, was the evening’s Master of Ceremonies along with Keynote Speaker Frank Coonelly, President of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Special guests included the recently crowned 2012 Ms. Wheelchair America Josie Badger, native of Western PA, and Quality of Life Technology Center, a collaboration between CMU and University of Pittsburgh.
This year’s award recipients include: Steve Kohut, the Ruth & George Brenyo Achievement Award; the Quality of Life Technology Center, the Leonard C. Staisey Memorial Award; Fifth Third Bank, the Senator John Heinz Memorial Award; Interim Health Care, the Corris V. Hammock Memorial Award; and Anne Pekruhn, in honor of the late John “Bro” Pekruhn who served on TRCIL’s Board of Directors for many years, the Lee H. Lacey Founder’s Award.
Heartfelt thanks to this year’s sponsors: $10K Gold Level Sponsor – Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield; $5K Silver Level – Fifth Third Bank and The Graham Company; $2,500 Bronze Level – Horovitz, Rudoy & Roteman & Progressive Mobility; $1K Sponsor Level- Blackburns Physician’s Pharmacy, The City of Pittsburgh Housing Authority, Har-Kel, Inc., Interim HealthCare, Spectrum Construction & Design, Tucker Arensberg and United Seating & Mobility. Special thank you to Alex’s Flowers in Oakland who donated the floral arrangements.