Playhouse seeks Great Friends to Families

The Children’s Playhouse is searching for a resident of the High Country whose greatest joy comes from helping kids and families, the 2013 winner of the Great Friend to Families Award. Nominations for this award are due on Feb. 15.

The fifth annual Great Friend to Families Award recognizes sustained contributions by individuals to the well-being of young children and their families in the High Country area.

“We honor winners in two categories, Helping Hands and Helping Hearts,” Playhouse board president Tara Stollenmaier White said. “‘Helping Hands’ awards celebrate professionals who over the course of their careers have shown extraordinary dedication to improving the lives of children and families, while ‘Helping Hearts’ awards recognize individuals who have touched the lives of children and families through generous philanthropy and/or outstanding volunteerism.”

Award winners in each category will be honored at a luncheon on Saturday, March 2, and one overall winner will be presented with a piece of local art and $500 to donate to the High Country nonprofit of their choice.

Playhouse executive director Kathy Parham described the award as “a wonderful opportunity ... to say thanks to people who have touched your life or the community.”

This award is very consistent with the mission of The Children’s Playhouse, she said, which is to provide children with an enriching, educational play environment, while at the same time offering their parents and caregivers friendly support in the important job of raising children.

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How to Nominate

The nomination forms are simple and can be downloaded at The Children’s Playhouse website, http://www.goplayhouse.org/events/Great_Friend_to_Families_award.html, or by stopping by the children’s museum. Each nomination package must include the names of at least three additional supporters. All nominations must be submitted by Friday, Feb. 15.

Nominations may be submitted over email to (kathy@goplayhouse.org) or mailed to:
Great Friend to Families Award Committee, c/o Kathy Parham, The Children’s Playhouse, 400 Tracy Circle, Boone, N.C. 28607.

The winner will be chosen by a distinguished committee of local leaders, including last year’s winner, Trish Lanier. Previous overall winners include Judith Winecoff (2009), Pat Morgan (2010) and Dick and Joan Hearn (2011).

The March 2 luncheon will also raise funds to support family resource services at The Children’s Playhouse, enabling the children’s museum to provide scholarship memberships to low-income families and build new educational exhibits.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit http://www.goplayhouse.org, or call (828) 263-0011.