On November 27th, 2013, Councilmember Tommy Wells announced the winners of 7th Annual Livable Walkable Awards and extended an open invitation to DC residents to attend the December 2nd awards ceremony. The award ceremony and a celebration will be held on December 2, from 6:30 to 8:30pm, on the top floor of the brand new O Street Market development. The event entrance will be at 8th and P Streets, NW, with free parking available via 9th Street on level P1. The following are the awardees and Councilmember Wells’ comments:
Neighbor Award
Rev. Ruth Hamilton of Westminster Presbyterian Church
Rev. L.B. West of Mount Airy Baptist Church
Reverends Hamilton and West have been invaluable leaders throughout the city but especially in their neighborhoods. They are great faith leaders who serve as healers in our community in the NW and SW of our Ward. Reverends Hamilton and West have worked to improve the spiritual, family, educational and economic lives of all of their neighbors.
Business Award
Labyrinth Game Shop
Owner Kathleen Donahue
The Labyrinth Game Shop and owner Kathleen Donahue work tirelessly to build a stronger community and stronger families through partnerships with local schools, nonprofits and community organizations. Labyrinth is a collection site for Toys for Tots and DC Holiday Pajama Drive. They have established family game nights, game design classes and after school gaming programs with Maury, Brent, Peabody, Watkins, and Stuart Hobson. They have held open game nights at the store and even opened a game lending library at Maury Elementary School and another is in the works at Peabody. The Labyrinth Game Shop is a shining example of how businesses and community can work together to make our city great.
Community Organization Award
French St. Neighborhood Association
President Helen T. Mohrmann
French St. Neighborhood Association has led many efforts to improve the community around them. Over the last decade the Association led the remarkable transformation of the French Street Park at 10th and French St, NW, making it a welcoming and engaging community amenity that can be enjoyed by all for generations to come. The Association has championed and cheered development and revitalization in the larger Shaw neighborhood and shown great leadership in community engagement.
Public Service Award
Ward 6 Core Team
The Ward 6 Core team is comprised of 18 DC public servants representing nearly every District agency and office including my own. They have worked one on one with many of you, and certainly on behalf of all of us. They have a dedication that mirrors, maybe even exceeds, the motto of the postal service. “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night will stay their service,” and for these public servants you might add – rats, roaches, blizzards, fires, crime nor blight. They are first responders, crime solvers, debris collectors, community meeting organizers and much more. It is an honor to recognize their public service.
Livable Walkable Legacy Award
Ron McBee, ANC 6D03 Commissioner, “Mayor of Southwest”
ANC Commissioner Ron McBee, who was better known as the Mayor of Southwest, passed away suddenly this October. Ron was so much more than a community leader serving on the ANC. He was a friend to us all. With a quick laugh and a sincere interest in our wellbeing, he enriched our lives. While Ron championed issues to improve the lives of his constituents, many living in public housing, he also found time to mentor youth in his neighborhood needing a father figure.
I am proud to honor Ron with the Livable Walkable Legacy Award as he was a tireless worker for our city who made all of us better for the time he was here.