U.S. Paralympics presented its annual “Amazing Awards” to key contributors in the national Paralympic movement at the 2009 Developing Amazing Leaders Paralympic Conference.
“The amazing awards are for our amazing partners who work tirelessly in communities across the country, to help build the Paralympic movement,” Charlie Huebner, chief of Paralympics, USOC said in a news release. “Their commitment and support has helped thousands of athletes achieve success both on and off the field of play.”
The Amazing Leader Awards recognizes an individual or organization whose leadership in the Paralympic movement has been transformative and who has mobilized and unified athletes, programs and organizations that improve the lives of people with physical disabilities. This year’s winners were Ann Cody of Blaze Sports America and Dave Poulin of Paralympic Sport Alaska.
The Amazing Sport Club Award is designed to recognize a Paralympic Sport Club that has made amazing contributions to the Paralympic movement. This year’s winner was Paralympic Sport Las Vegas (a joint program of Clark County School District, Adaptive Physical Education and the City of Las Vegas Adaptive Recreation).
The Amazing Investor Award is given to a person or organization that has been instrumental in the creation of resources in support of the Paralympic movement. This year’s recipient was The Hartford.
The Amazing Impact Award recognizes a person or organization that tells the Paralympic story in an amazing manner – creating awareness and motivating people to action through words, pictures, promotions or film. This year’s winner was Visa.
The Amazing Mentor Award is given to mentors who are trusted counselors and guides; they are here to help others accomplish their dreams. This award recognizes a Paralympic mentor – someone who has served as a role model and shared their own experiences to motivate, inspire and promote excellence in sport and in life. This year’s winner was Melissa Stockwell.
The Amazing Salute Award is for an individual or organization that has made amazing contributions to injured military personnel. The Paralympic movement returns to its roots by recognizing those who are providing amazing services to injured members of our Armed Forces through the promotion of physical activity and healthy lifestyles. This year’s winner was the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project.
