HomeMy WebLinkAboutVolunteer Recognition Reception
Contact: Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications & Marketing Director
Phone 952-833-9520 • Fax 952-826-0390 • Web www.CityofEdina.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City honors volunteers at annual reception
Edina, Minn., May 18, 2010 – One of the City of Edina’s top awards for community service was recently
presented to a restaurateur who champions hunger relief efforts.
Mayor Jim Hovland presented Wayne Kostroski with the Mayor’s Individual Service Commendation at Edina’s
Volunteer Recognition Reception April 29 at Edinborough Park. The award is given to an individual for his or her
outstanding and exceptional volunteer service to the community at large.
In 1987, Kostroski launched two downtown restaurants and soon after brought Share Our Strength’s
Taste of the Nation event for hunger relief to the Twin Cities. When the Super Bowl was held in
Minneapolis in 1992, Kotroski was president of the Minnesota Restaurant Association and led the
restaurant committee for the Super Bowl, suggesting a celebrity dinner fundraiser based on his
experiences with Taste of the Nation. Now an annual event, the Taste of the NFL creates a national
platform that addresses the needs of the hungry and homeless by raising money through special events
and programs.
Over the last 18 years, the Taste of the NFL has donated more than $10 million to food shelves around
the country. On average, $500,000 is dispersed to hunger relief organizations following each event. Food
shelves in the host city get 30 percent of the proceeds with the remaining funds split 21 ways by the other
NFL cities.
Hovland presented five other prestigious awards at the Volunteer Recognition Reception.
Mayor’s Service Club Commendation – Edina Public Art Committee
Awarded to a club or organization that has made outstanding contributions to the community through its regular
activities or through special projects.
The Edina Public Art Committee, a standing committee of the Edina Art Center Board, promotes and
enhances the aesthetic quality of life in the community through enjoyment of art in the City’s public
spaces. In 2009, the group worked closely with City staff to bring the Edina Promenade to life with Edina’s
first major year-round, rotating outdoor sculpture exhibit.
Mayor’s Connecting With Kids Commendation – Rotary Club of Edina, Edina Morningside
Rotary Club and Edina High School
Awarded to an individual or organization making a positive impact in the lives of Edina youth.
The two local Rotary clubs worked with faculty and staff at Edina High School to establish a STRIVE, a
motivational scholarship and mentoring program targeted at Edina High School seniors who are in the
bottom third of their class. Mentors from the two clubs connect with 11 youth each week to provide
support and enhancement of their social and relational skills.
Mayor’s Youth Commendation – Abigale Dauth and Robbie Latta
Awarded to a young person who has demonstrated a commitment to improving the quality of life in the community.
A junior, Abby Dauth is one of the most active students in Edina High School’s Youth Serving Youth
program, volunteering for Project Earth, Volunteer Club, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, Gay-Straight
Alliance and Project for Pride.
Robbie Latta, a senior, has also been very involved in activities at the school. His most important
contribution has been through his three-year commitment to Sober Squad – a student group whose
mission is to reach out to younger students to promote a positive alcohol, tobacco and drug-free lifestyle.
Mayor’s Outstanding Senior Commendation – Bob Hartshorn
Awarded to a senior citizen for outstanding volunteer service within the community.
Since 2005, Bob Hartshorn has led the West Metro Senior Softball League, sponsored by the City and
Edina Senior Center. Under Hartshorn’s leadership, the program has grown from 75 players to 140 and
the group plays year round. His enthusiasm for the program has led to the development of an Invitational
Traveling Team that has competed in several national tournaments.
Mayor’s Community Involvement Commendation – GIS Administrator Rebecca Foster
Awarded to a City employee for outstanding volunteer service to the community, above and beyond his or her
position with the City.
A technician in the Engineering Department, Rebecca Foster is the City’s resident Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) expert. Her duties include project management, database administration and asset
management of the City’s infrastructure. A national leader is use of GIS, she participates in a number of
regional committees related to her work, including MN GIS/LIS Consortium, Hennepin County GIS User
Group, and MnGeo’s Emergency Preparedness Committee. She was appointed to a two-year term on the
Statewide Geospatial Advisory Council.
Many service organizations also recognized their own exemplary volunteers at the reception. Awards
were presented to: Michael Whitt, Edina Art Center; Rebecca Hopf, Edina Chamber of Commerce;
Regina Neville, Edina Chemical Health Partners; Paul Thompson, Edina Community Foundation; Karen
Knudsen, Edina Crime Prevention Fund; Jim Jones and Edina Go Green, Energy & Environment
Commission; Sharon Hellbusch, Edina Federated Women’s Club; Jeff Ryan, Edina Football Association;
Lori Bartz, Edina Garden Council; Steve Higgins, Edina Girls Athletic Association; Phil Johnson, Edina
Historical Society; Jerry Keehr, Edina Lions Club; Ruth Valgemae and Rita Larson, Edina Morningside
Woman’s Club; Lois Ring, Edina Public Art Committee; Nancy Meyer, Edina Woman’s Club; Jan Hansen,
Joe Novak, Dale Numelin and Minisha Lohani, Fairview Southdale Hospital; Amanda Marquez and Joan
Sullivan, Girl Scouts of Edina; Karen Hazel, Rachel Pream Grenier, Kelly Fitzgerald, Sandy Schley, Shara
Mohtadi and Emma Weisberg, Human Rights & Relations Commission; Herb Telshaw, Kiwanis Club of
Edina Golden K; Leslie Kreofsky, Ann Platt and Tim Murphy, Rotary Club of Edina; Wayne Christensen,
Southdale Y Service Club; and Pat Monson, Southdale YMCA.
The reception is airing through June 3 on Edina Community Channel 16 (EDINA16) at 9 a.m. Sundays, 8
p.m. Tuesdays and 2 p.m. Fridays. The reception can also be viewed online by visiting
www.CityofEdina.com and clicking on the “Watch a Meeting” link.
For more information on the Volunteer Recognition Reception, contact Human Services Coordinator
Susan Howl, 952-826-0403.
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