Bronze Level Sponsor

2008 Community Builder Awards

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Westminster College   

Bronze Level Sponsor

Sharron Horsey, Community Advocate, Volunteer Board Member of The Road Home.   

A visionary who looks beyond what needs to be done to what can be done, Sharron Horsey strengthens community by building bridges among individuals who are often disconnected from the mainstream.  As a volunteer board member of The Road Home, Horsey has dedicated herself to The Road Home mission of helping people step out of homelessness and back into the community, with special focus on those who have left the shelter and are striving for independence in permanent supportive housing.  Horsey has created community for residents of Grace Mary Manor and Sunrise Metro by launching popular programs such as BINGO Night and barbeque socials. She recognizes need, envisions solution, and motivates others to be part of solution. 

Leslie Hogan Bertram and MaryAnn Hansen (Heritage Elementary School) and Margo Hawker (Apple Village Assisted Living)

This dynamic and dedicated team leads Reaching Hearts Through Reading, a weekly reading program that brings together 2nd graders and seniors. Alternating between bringing the students to the retirement center and bringing seniors to the school, for four years Bertram has built relationships that span multiple generations.  As Betram’s students enthusiastically prepare for these weekly visits, reading skills improve so dramatically that Bertram’s classes consistently score higher in reading tests than other 2^nd grade classes.  And as the normally quiet sanctuary of the retirement center is shattered with the enthusiasm of the youngsters, the disposition of the seniors improves dramatically as well. 

Gary Walton (Beehive Bail Bonds)

Many clients served by Beehive Bail Bonds often have little education, may be single parents, and/or immigrants with little family or social support.  Gary Walton views the work of his company as an opportunity to assist, mentor and provide direction to those whose legal concerns may be only one of multiple challenges as well as their families.  Beyond the work Beehive Bail Bonds, Walton also lends his support and leadership to numerous non-profit organizations involved with the support of underprivileged people. 

Josie Valdez - UWABC's Phyllis LeFevre Lifetime Achievement Award

Whether forming an advisory citizens base council to transform Dugway from a dreary military base to a thriving community, or leading programs that connect small disadvantaged business enterprises with government contracts, Josie Valdez pours her heart, her soul, and her can-do attitude into everything she does.  Valdez spent 30 years with the Small Business Administration, a job she describes as an amazing opportunity to get paid for doing what she had been doing her entire life - creating change and moving people forward.  Valdez dedicated herself to assisting, mentoring, and supporting small business owners, with particular focus on propelling minority and women-owned business owners into government contracting.  Since retiring from the SBA, Valdez has stepped up her commitment to the community.  She recently led a non-partisan political education effort for Latina women, encouraging them to “become involved in their own destinies” by learning how to participate in the political process.  As a result of Valdez’s efforts, eight women in her group ran for delegates for their conventions, and two are running for political office.  Though UWABC is honoring Valdez with the LeFevre Lifetime Achievement Award, it is clear that Valdez has a lot more to do.