HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 18 - Commendations 2019
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Krystal Caron, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0347 • kcaron@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hovland Presents 2019 Mayor’s Commendations
Edina, Minn., April 18, 2019 – Edina Mayor Jim Hovland gave five commendations at the 40th-annual
Community Volunteer Recognition Reception.
Jessica Kingston and James Pierce were awarded the Mayor’s Individual Service Commendation for their work
leading a Race & Equity Task Force that assessed the City’s facilities, institutions and services to address issues of
race and inequity within the City.
Edina Give and Go was awarded the Mayor’s Service Organization Commendation, which is given to an
organization that has made outstanding contributions to the community. The mission of Edina Give and Go is to
bring life and learning opportunities to Edina Public Schools students who are economically disadvantaged. Last
year, Edina Give and Go supported roughly 9 percent of students across all of the Edina Public Schools
Hope Melton was awarded the Mayor’s Outstanding Senior Commendation, which is given to a senior for
outstanding volunteer service within the community. Melton is coordinator of Edina Neighbors for Affordable
Housing. Working with the City of Edina and other community organizations, Melton and her organization are
dedicated to preserving Edina’s existing affordable housing, protecting its tenant population, and producing more
affordable housing in order to meet the Metro Council’s forecast that Edina needs 1,220 units by 2030.
The Mayor’s Commendation for Service to Youth was given to Glenn Gray. This award is given to an individual or
organization making a positive impact on the lives of Edina youth. Gray has served on the Edina Soccer
Association (ESA) Board of Directors for over six years. He helped coordinate an event in which over 200 ESA
players and their families attended a Minnesota United game last June, championed refreshing the ESA website,
worked with a local vendor to redesign the ESA logo and created ESA's Adult League in the fall of 2017.
The Mayor’s Community Involvement Commendation is given to a City employee for outstanding volunteer
service to the community above and beyond his or her position with the City. City Assessor Bob Wilson received
the award. In addition to performing his job at an exemplary level, Wilson has served on multiple Minnesota
Association of Assessing Officers committees and held multiple chair positions. He is most influential within the
organization in the areas of Assessor education. In addition, he and his wife spent last summer coordinating the
Kidsave Summer Miracles Program for Columbian orphans to be hosted and potentially adopted in Minnesota and
western Wisconsin
For more information visit EdinaMN.gov/Commendations or contact Communications & Technology Services
Director Jennifer Bennerotte at jbennerotte@EdinaMN.gov.
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