ABCD’s Community Heroes Celebration To Honor 19 Outstanding Volunteers Including North End Resident

Action for Boston Community Development will dedicate an evening of reverence, reflection, and celebration to honor 19 outstanding citizens who serve and uplift their communities as unsung heroes. Susan Price will be recognized for her exceptional contributions to ABCD North End/ West End food pantry.

Susan Price has channeled resources and skills learned from ABCD as a way to give back and help others. Once a client for ABCD, Susan first came to North End/West End Neighborhood Service Center for its food pantry, but became an active member of the ABCD community. For more than four years she has volunteered with seniors during lunch and continues to offer a hand to the NSC with clerical work and much more. Susan is one of the first volunteers to open the center at 8:00 a.m., and greets clients with a fresh cup of coffee. Her generosity and dedication to the organization will never go unrecognized. “I love it here! ABCD does so much and it feels good to help everybody. I have never seen a person turned away and everyone is treated with dignity and respect.”

Behind every hero is a story. On Friday, November 4, at Boston Copley Marriot Place Hotel, ABCD will recognize 19 outstanding community heroes and the selfless achievements of extraordinary honorees: Jim Brett, CEO of the New England Council; State Rep. Gloria Fox; Rev. Liz Walker of Roxbury Presbyterian Church; and 50-year veteran, Harold Mezoff, ABCD’s VP of HR/Administration. 

“Once again, ABCD is proud to put the spotlight on the volunteers and community members that go above and beyond to assist, serve, and educate our most vulnerable residents and economically disenfranchised families,” said John J. Drew, ABCD President/CEO.

“We will also bestow Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement awards, honoring exceptional members of the philanthropic community, political leaders, and social influencers for their ongoing support against poverty.”

A signature event, ABCD’s Community Heroes Celebration honors everyday heroes and legends that help support the anti-poverty agency’s mission to provide low-income residents within the Greater Boston region the tools and resources needed to transition from poverty to stability to success.

This year’s special guests and keynote speakers are two men familiar with the fight for social change. Singer/Actor Harry Belafonte has been and continues to be an outspoken voice for those struggling to be heard. From marching on Washington D.C. with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to rallying support during the election year for a candidate who wants free education and equality for all, Belafonte will share his stories while inspiring the audience to strive for more.

Emmy Award winning journalist Byron Pitts covered the 9/11 attacks, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the war in Afghanistan, and other events abroad and at home. He now shares his true inspiration – faith and family.

Recently retired from broadcasting, legendary WBZ anchor Jack Williams, who for many years co-anchored Channel 4 News alongside Liz Walker, will serve as the event’s emcee.

R&B divas En Vogue will cap off the night, singing their hits from the 90’s, while creating a groove that will send the audience home on a high note.

This year’s community volunteers, recognized for their tireless efforts to uplift disenfranchised and underprivileged communities and residents are: Anna Leslie, Allston/Brighton; Sherry Dong, Asian American Civic Association; The Pulse Program, Dorchester; Rep. Adrian Madaro, East Boston; Izrail Nudelman, Elder Services; Farah Noerand, Youth Services; Mary Keith, Roxbury/North Dorchester; John Jackson, Parker Hill; Vanessa Hackett, Head Start; Keisha Glover, Health Services; Theresa Chatman, HP/Project Care & Concern; Margaret Bradley, John F. Kennedy Center; Thomas Webb, Jamaica Plain/Boston Hispanic Center; Patricia Washington, Mattapan; Susan J. Price, North End/West; Courtney Chowniec, South End, Dorothy Mullins, Women’s Service Club of Boston; and Emmeline Liu of Mystic Valley; and Janice McNeil*, South Boston.

Support for the event is possible thanks to the ABCD Friend Committee chaired by Penni McLean-Conner, Senior VP & Chief Customer Officer at Eversource Energy, along withEmmett Lyne, Chairman at Rich & May Law Firm; David Sweetser, Founder & President of High Rock Development; David Anthony Bright, Senior VP & Senior Counsel for Citizens Bank; Thomas H. Green, Managing Director and Head of the Infrastructure Group, Citi US Public Finance; and Ted Madden, Senior VP of Workplace Investing, Fidelity Investments.

For more information, please contact Amelia Aubourg at 617-348-6238, or email amelia.aubourg@bostonabcd.org.