TRCIL’s Successful 30th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Disability Pride Dinner
Thursday, September 30, 2010 at the Omni William Penn Hotel, TRCIL celebrated 30 Years of empowerment in the disability community and in the community at large. A cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception with entertainment by jazz legend Etta Cox kicked off the gala at 5:30 pm. Dinner began at 7:00 p.m. while the guests enjoyed a slide show retrospective of the past 30 years in TRCIL history. Dinner included entree selections of either filet mignon and lump crap or portobello mushroom bayaldi along with a wine pour and a decadent dessert selection.
Stan Holbrook, TRCIL President & CEO, opened the program by welcoming all of the guests. He recognized those present who have faithfully served the organization in some capacity over the past 30 years. TRCIL’s previous Executive Directors, Judy Barricella and Bill Chrisner, were saluted as well as many current TRCIL Board Members, past board members, retired staff and others who partnered with TRCIL over the years.
Evan Frazier, the Sr. VP of Community Affairs at Highmark (the gala’s premier sponsor), who served as Honorary Chair, and Event Co-Chairs Betsi Teti and Heather Chronis were thanked for their assistance. Additional sponsors such as Giant Eagle Corporation (Silver Level) and numerous Bronze Level sponsors including FISA Foundation; Horovitz, Rudoy & Roteman, Tucker Arensberg, Liberty Resources and Progressive Mobility were acknowledged as well as Graham Company for underwriting Etta Cox’s performance.
Stan also took the opportunity to share with the guests the names of some of the most significant people involved in the success of TRCIL. First and foremost, the countless consumers and others with disabilities who have been served by or who helped serve TRCIL over the years were applauded. As a Center for Independent Living, without consumers there would be no TRCIL! Local celebrities such as the late actor and WQED personality Don Brockett staged numerous fundraisers in the ’80’s and 90’s to benefit Three Rivers Center for Independent Living. He and his wife Leslie were quite active with the organization during that time. Other television personalities such as Ann Devlin and Stacy Smith supported TRCIL’s mission. In 1992 White House Press Secretary, Jim Brady, known to have acquired his disability during the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan, visited Pittsburgh and helped kick off TRCIL’s Forging a New Freedom campaign. The late Bill Skellie, one of TRCIL’s longest tenured Board Members, was a state and national disability advocate who worked tirelessly on TRCIL’s behalf as well as Dr. Robert Mehrabian.
Stan also recognized the evening’s special invited guests – WTAE-TV’s Anchor Kelly Frey and Baby Bennett! TRCIL wanted to thank Kelly for the awareness that she brought through her pregnancy and birth of Bennett to families with children with disabilities. Bennett slept throughout the entire event but was cheered on by the audience having just celebrated his first birthday!
W.D. (Bill) Chrisner, former TRCIL Executive Director from 1988-2004, was the program’s Keynote Speaker. Bill reminisced about his days working with Judy Barricella, TRCIL’s original Executive Director, who encouraged him to apply for the position upon her departure. Bill lead the organization through the most radical times in the local disability movement. TRCIL, under Bill, was responsible for the city of Pittsburgh’s curb cuts, the Southside Sweep (establishments along Carson Street were “swept” for ADA compliance), Barrier Awareness events throughout the city and many other advocacy events.
The program also included the presentation of the TRCIL Independence Awards. WTAE Anchor, Sally Wiggin, Mistress of Ceremonies, along with Stan Holbrook, presented the legendary awards to members of the community who have significantly contributed to the lives of people in the disability community. The Independence Awards recipients include: Judith Barricella, the Ruth & George Brenyo Achievement Award; Kelly Frey, the Leonard C. Staisey Memorial Award; The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, the Senator John Heinz Memorial Award; Monica Robinson, the Corris V. Hammock Memorial Award; and Bill Chrisner, the Lee H. Lacey Founder’s Award. An additional award, the Inaugural Anchor Award, was presented to former TRCIL Staff member, Patti Thomas, who retired last year.
Stan Holbrook and Sally Wiggin closed the program following a door prize drawing and a thank you gift presented to Sally for serving as Mistress of Ceremonies. It was an unforgettable night filled with nostalgia, laughter and poignant moments as well as empowering and motivating to continue another 30 years into the future!
Write a comment