Seeking Compassion, Humanitarianism in Phoenixville

In its 18th year, the Community Prayer Breakfast, hosted by the Social Concerns Committee, is approaching.

Each year, five awards are given to members of the Phoenixville area community. The breakfast is held around the time of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination each year and for two of the awards, the nominations are open to the community.

, Janet Pickett received the Emma Valenteen Compassionate Award and Ken Wickstrom took home the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award.

Nominations are due by Jan. 15, and you can find the forms attached to this article. If you know someone who would be a good fit, you can find all the information in the nomination forms above.

Here are the guidelines and considerations for each of the two awards, via the Social Concerns Committee. For more information, see the above forms.

Emma Valenteen Compassionate Award

Consideration for the award should include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following areas which reflect the compassionate life and work of Emma Valenteen herself:

• The positive impact of the nominee’s compassionate actions on the   Phoenixville community;
• The history of involvement in the greater Phoenixville community by the nominee;
• Has demonstrated inner strength by overcoming personal misfortune;
• Has turned his/her misfortune into an empathetic, positive force to impact the community, its residents, and or its quality of living;
• Is viewed as a positive role model by many members in the community,          
• Current members of the Phoenixville Area Social Concerns Committee are not eligible for this award.

Qualifications for the award should be based upon, but not limited to, the following considerations. That the nominee is any person, entity or organization that:

• Has lived or worked in the greater Phoenixville area community for at least five years;
• Has demonstrated, through action and deeds, a desire to elevate the level of cooperative living among community residents;
• Has engaged in volunteer services or actions that have affected positive change in the Greater Phoenixville Community;
• Has worked to impact the community without regard to personal reward, remuneration, or notoriety;
• Has exhibited good character traits in his/her life;
• Has shown a consistency in action, deed, approach or vision for the betterment of the community;
• Through his/her actions has created a program/service that has a positive impact on the community, its residents and/or its quality of life in the Greater Phoenixville community. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award

Qualifications for the award should be based upon, but not limited to, the following considerations. A nominee will be considered any person, entity or organization that:

• Has lived or worked in the greater Phoenixville area community for at least five years;
• Has demonstrated, through action and deeds, a desire to elevate the level of cooperative living among community residents;
• Has engaged in volunteer services or actions that have affected positive change in the Greater Phoenixville Community;
• Has worked to impact the community without regard to personal reward, remuneration, or notoriety;
• Has exhibited good character traits in his/her life;
• Has shown a consistency in action, deed, approach or vision for the betterment of the community;
• Through his/her actions has demonstrated an appreciation for diversity and has worked (either directly or indirectly) to promote it in the Greater Phoenixville community.

Consideration for the award will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following areas:

• The positive impact of the nominee’s actions on the Phoenixville  community, its residents, and/or its quality of living
• The history of the nominee’s involvement in the community
• The influence upon community residents, organizations, businesses, or borough services by the nominee; the type of action, involvement and influence on the community by the nominee;
• The potential for further community impact as a result of the nominee’s current actions;
• Current members of the Phoenixville Area Social Concerns Committee are not eligible for this award.