2009 Event Highlights
Broadcast industry leaders were joined by policymakers, press and philanthropists at the Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel, on Monday, June 8, 2009, for the annual Celebration of Service to America Awards. Presented by the NAB Education Foundation (NABEF) with major support from Bonneville International Corporation and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the Celebration of Service to America Awards serves as the major fundraiser for the NAB Education Foundation. Each year, more than 2,000 people benefit from NABEF programs and fellowships which mentor and help develop the future leaders of radio and television.
Opening and Welcome
The evening began with the National Anthem sung by Miss America 2009 Katie Stam. An invocation was delivered by The Reverend Canon Carol L. Wade, Canon Precentor at the Washington National Cathedral. Two-time Emmy award winner and host of Inside Edition, Deborah Norville, returned as master of ceremonies.
 Miss America |
 Reverend Canon Carol L. Wade |
 Deborah Norville |
Bruce Reese, President and CEO of Bonneville International and founding partner of the Celebration of Service to America, welcomes attendees. Marcellus Alexander, President of the NAB Education Foundation (NABEF), introduces the NABEF Board of Directors.
Bruce Reese |
Marcellus Alexander |
Service to America Leadership Award
The foundation’s highest honor, the Service to America Leadership Award, was presented to “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” Over its first six seasons, 143 deserving families have received Extreme Makeover homes. In addition to changing the lives of the families featured on the show, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” also involves viewers in making a difference by encouraging volunteer service and charitable giving in their local communities.Paige Hemmis, one of the program’s designers, attended to accept the award. Extreme Home recipient,Staff Sergeant Daniel Gilyeat, also participated in the award presentation.
 NAB Joint Board Chair Jack Sander, and BruceReese with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" designer Paige Hemmis. |
Extreme Home recipient, Staff Sergeant Daniel Gilyeat. |
Guardian Award
Kelsi and Rachel Okun received the Service to America Guardian Award. In 2006, Kelsi, age 8, and Rachel, age 10, created ThanksUSA, or “Treasure Hunt Aiding Needs of Kids and Spouses Serving the United States of America.” Since its founding, ThanksUSA has raised more than $5 million, enabling the organization to award more than 1,750 scholarships to children and spouses of active duty military personnel.
Bruce Reese with Rachel Okun, Kelsi Okun, NAB chief operating and financial officer Janet McGregor and Deborah Norville. |
Service to America Station Awards
Service to America station awards were presented to five local radio and television stations for their outstanding service to their communities.
Service to America Television Award
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community. The winner of the 2009 Service to America Television Award is WFMY-TV Greensboro, N.C. owned by Gannett Broadcasting. WFMY has a history of reaching out to the local community and providing answers to tough questions such as how to feed the hungry or how to improve the education system. The station's outreach keeps viewers informed about people in need and gets them involved in being part of the solution.
Larry Dunn, publisher of Broadcasting & Cable, Dave Lougee, president of Gannett Broadcasting, Deborah Hooper, president and GM of WFMY, Rep. Howard Coble (NC-06) and Deborah Norville. |
Service to America Community Awards
This category honors radio and television broadcasters for individual campaigns, projects or programs that serve the public good or otherwise provide exemplary service to their local communities. The Service to Community Radio Award was presented to Delmarva Broadcasting of Wilmington, Del. for developing SmartDrive, a driver improvement program for teens. The Service to Community Television Award was presented to KOBI-TV/KOTI-TV Medford, Ore. for the Southern Oregon Meth Project, a campaign determined to educate children to never use methamphetamine.
Miss America 2009 Katie Stam, Karen Busby, SmartDrive program coordinator, and Pete Booker, Delmarva Broadcasting president and CEO. |
Sen. Jeff Merkley (OR) with Patsy Smullin, president and owner California Oregon Broadcasting, Bob Wise, vice president and GM KOBI/KOTI, Scott Gee, creative services director KOBI/KOTI and Rep. Greg Walden (OR-02). |
Service to Children Awards
These awards spotlight radio and television stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children. The Service to Children Radio Award was presented to WLEN-FM Adrian, Mich. The Service to Children Television Award was presented to WCIU-TV Chicago, Ill.
Rep. Mark Schauer (MI-07) and WLEN general manager Julie Koehn. |
FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell with Norman Shapiro, president Weigel Broadcasting, and Gail Sikevitz, director of educational programs Weigel Broadcasting. |
