FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2023
Silver Spring, MD — Easterseals DC MD VA presented its annual Advocacy Awards this week and raised more than $850,000 for programs that advance opportunities for children and adults with disabilities, including military families.
The evening brought together leaders in business, government, and the military to celebrate Easterseals’ work and honor outstanding commitment to its mission. This year’s honorees were military family advocates General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., 22nd Chief of the Air Force, and his wife Sharene Brown; corporate advocate PenFed Credit Union; and community advocates Robin Portman, past chair of Easterseals DC MD VA, and her husband Tom Portman.
Juliette Rizzo — Easterseals DC MD VA Emeritus Board member and Ms. Wheelchair America 2005 — presented the Judy Heumann Community Advocate award with the late Ms. Heumann’s husband, Jorge Pineda, and on behalf of the Honorable Elizabeth Dole, 2015 Advocacy Award recipient and Easterseals DC MD VA Honorary Board member.
“Judy wanted to be remembered as both a fighter for disability rights and as a person who fought to keep the movement going,” said Ms. Rizzo. “She knew that this movement should not be carried out in isolation — that we need to be part of changing the world — and Easterseals embodies Judy’s vision and fervor.”
Chef Robert Irvine, a foundational supporter of Easterseals Respite and an Easterseals DC MD VA Honorary Board member, created the evening’s celebratory menu.
General Charles Q. Brown, Jr. and Mrs. Sharene Brown’s commitment to the military is matched only by their advocacy for people with disabilities. Their son attended an Easterseals center and they have become a powerful voice for military families with exceptional children. Additionally, Sharene is an Easterseals Ambassador.
“His speech language pathologist was ... able to engage with our son and calm my concerns ... Best of all, [she] would become his therapist. Today, we call him ‘town crier’!” said Mrs. Brown of their son’s experience at Easterseals, as well as the outcome.
PenFed Credit Union and its Foundation work to improve the lives of military heroes through financial support and opportunity. PenFed has served the national defense community and those that support them since 1935. Accepting the award was President & CEO James Schenck.
“PenFed first partnered with Easterseals in 2004 to support the Little Warriors Child Development Program, in which we provided scholarships,” Schenck said. “The Easterseals program that provides safe childcare during their parent’s treatment was truly unbelievable and PenFed has been a partner ever since.”
Robin and Tom Portman are outstanding leaders and advocates for Easterseals DC MD VA. For nine years, Robin was a leader on the Easterseals Board, and both she and her husband are committed to Easterseals’ mission of enriching the lives of people with disabilities and from military backgrounds.
“The thing that amazes us about Easterseals is the fact that they provide such a diverse array of services to such a diverse population of clients. And they do it with excellence,” said Mr. Portman in thanking Easterseals and direct-care staff.
Easterseals DC MD VA President & CEO Jon Horowitch also presented the Easterseals Leadership Award for 2023 to April Harden for her commitment to the organization’s Adult Day Services clients and their families.
The evening was presented by Boeing and also made possible thanks to numerous other sponsors. Donations are still being accepted.
Photos and video from the evening are available upon request.
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Easterseals DC MD VA – Easterseals is leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access through direct and life-changing disability and community services. Since 1945, Easterseals DC MD VA has worked tirelessly to enhance quality of life and expand access to healthcare, education, and employment. And we won’t rest until each one of us is valued, respected, and accepted. Join us: www.eseal.org.
Contact: Lauren Poon, Manager of Communications & Marketing, lpoon@eseal.org
