Friends of Balboa Park Hosts 13th Annual Awards Luncheon

The organization will honor volunteers and visionaries who have made significant contributions to Balboa Park. End Quote

San Diego, CA (1888PressRelease) November 06, 2013 - Friends of Balboa Park, the non-profit organization committed to preserving Balboa Park's legacy for future generations through Park-wide projects, will host its 13th annual luncheon, A Salute to Volunteers and Visionaries, at 12:00 p.m. on October 29, 2013 at the Balboa Park Club. The Friends of Balboa Park's annual luncheon honors volunteer leadership and provides public recognition of people and organizations in Balboa Park with the presentation of The Millennium Award and the Inspiration Awards.

Interim Mayor Todd Gloria and County Supervisor Ron Roberts will present this year's awards, and Friends of Balboa Park Founder Betty Peabody will be a featured speaker.

"The Friends are proud to honor these individuals for their remarkable dedication to the Park," said Friends of Balboa Park Executive Director Kathleen Stoughton. "Their vision and devotion have helped make Balboa Park the extraordinary place that it is today."

The Millennium Award is presented to individuals and organizations committed to the betterment of the Park. The Gildred family will be awarded the Millennium Award in recognition of 78 years of leadership, stewardship and volunteer activity in Balboa Park, which began in 1935 with Philip L. Gildred's position as managing director of the California Pacific International Exposition. Gildred was also a co-founder of the House of Pacific Relations' "International Cottages," which opened during the exposition.

The Gildred family's philanthropic legacy and devotion to community service continues even today. Among the pillars are the sons of Philip and Helen: George L. Gildred, Jr., along with their respective wives, Alison Frost Gildred and Lyn Stephens Gildred, all who have assumed important and enduring leadership positions at several institutions in Balboa Park.

Tom Gildred, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Philip L. Gildred, Sr., will accept the Friends of Balboa Park's Millennium Award on behalf of the Gildred family.

The Inspiration Awards are given to volunteers nominated by their peers in the Balboa Park community. The public is invited to attend the event to honor and celebrate the
people who have make Balboa Park so special.

Each year, the Friends of Balboa Park recognize five Park volunteers to receive an Inspiration Award. These prestigious awards recognize individuals who have contributed countless hours of volunteer service to Balboa Park, or one of the organizations in the Park. This year's honorees include:

Harold "Hal" Doerr (Spreckels Organ Society): Since 1988, Hal has diligently labored to create a better atmosphere inside the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. A man of unfailing good will and energy, Hal has contributed thousands of volunteer hours and dollars over his many years of involvement with Spreckles Organ Pavilion.
Andrea Fleming (San Diego Civic Youth Ballet): For 13 years, Andrea has been a devoted volunteer who has participated in activities such as helping with administrative duties in the Youth Ballet office and working on the newly-formed Alumni Committee. She is also known for her extraordinary auditorium lobby decorations for each ballet performance.

Dick Murphy (San Diego Automotive Museum): Dick has been a devoted volunteer for the Museum since 1987. A year before the Museum opened to the public, Dick began working tirelessly to market the Museum to the community. When the Museum opened, Dick became a docent and has excelled at interpreting exhibits and giving tours to visitors, including special tours for blind patrons.

Stella Vasilakis (Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol): Stella has been a member of the RSVP for four years and has volunteered more than 300 hours of volunteer patrol service hours. In addition to her monthly volunteer patrol duties, she is the current RSVP Administration Manager. She is commended for her dedication to duty and her devotion to serving the Police Department and the citizens of San Diego.

Ruth Voorhies (Japanese Friendship Garden): For 25 years, Ruth has diligently volunteered more than 300 hours each year, including assisting with accounting and has brought many dedicated volunteers to the organization. This past year, Ruth celebrated her 90th birthday and continues to show vibrancy and intelligence in everything she does.

For more information, visit www.FriendsOfBalboaPark.org or call (619) 232-2282.

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