Mayor Recognizes Award Winners at State of the City Address

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2009

For more information, please contact:
Beverly Calender-Anderson, Safe & Civil City Director, Community & Family Resources Department, City of Bloomington, 349-3560
Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, lopezd@bloomington.in.gov




Bloomington, IN - At his 2009 State of the City address, Mayor Mark Kruzan announced the recipients for the 2009 Mayor's Award for Excellence in Civic Engagement. The Center for Civic Engagement at Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington received the award for the Group category, while Bloomington resident Natalie Cabanaw earned top honors for the Individual category.

The Mayor's Award for Excellence in Civic Engagement was created to acknowledge Bloomington residents who, through their commitment to community service, have significantly improved civic life in the community. The recognitions to Cabanaw and Ivy Tech Chancellor John Whikehart concluded Kruzan's speech Wednesday night.

"Both Natalie and the Center personify Bloomington's spirit of giving and self-sacrifice," said Kruzan. "Their dedication and commitment to others in the community should be inspirational to us all."

The nominees were selected based on their level of civic engagement in Bloomington, personal commitment and the significance of their efforts on transforming the community.

The Center for Civic Engagement facilitates and promotes individual volunteerism, service learning and community involvement on the Ivy Tech-Bloomington campus. Additionally, dozens of students, faculty and staff are involved in forwarding its mission through work on campus task force committees focusing on grant development, award recognition, technology, building relationships with area high schools, scholarly productions, alternative spring break opportunities, civic forums and nonprofit assistance.

Individual recipient Natalie Cabanaw was selected for her establishment of a civic engagement plan called "Third Thursdays" at Nick's English Hut. During Third Thursdays, Cabanaw, a server at Nick's, volunteers her time serving customers in the backroom of Nick's on behalf of a local nonprofit each month. She donates all tips she earns that evening, and Nick's contributes an additional 20% to her tip earnings.

For additional information about the Mayor's Award or its recipients, contact Beverly Calender-Anderson, Safe and Civil City Director for the City of Bloomington, at (812) 349-3560.

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