IDA's
2008 First Annual
Honors Banquet
Was A Hit!
IDA's First Annual
Banquet was not your
run of the mill
fundraiser! 10
individuals and
businesses were
given Honors Awards
for the differences
they have made in
their communities!
Each were introduced
to the audience,
thanked for their
service and given
beautiful,
customized awards.
Banquet participants
were brought to
tears with these
amazing award
recipients' stories
of courage and
outreach: Kevin
Shearn and Nathan
Broadbeck of Red
Robin (Restaurants),
Nan Sheldon and Amy
Barnes of
OfficeDepot
(Retail), Dr.
Susanna Choi (Health
Care Professional),
Attorney, Steven R.
Owens (Advocacy),
Ali Garrett, RN
(Volunteer), Kris
Harty of Strong
Spirit
(Perseverance),
Diane Dike, Ph.D of
Second Chance with
Saving Grace
(Inspiration) and
Sherri Connell,
person living with
disabling illness
(Founders).
Founder and
President, Wayne
Connell, spoke about
the prevalence and
challenges of living
with debilitating
chronic illness,
pain and injury.
Board Members,
Ginger Goins and
Rick Watson spoke
about the work of
The Invisible
Disabilities
Advocate. Our
Special Guest
Musician was
Dana Vernon,
a local musical
artist.
Attendees
also enjoyed a
delicious dinner,
silent and live
auction, as well as
an inspirational
message from Kris
Harty. Kris also
received the
Perseverance Honors
Award for her
resilience despite a
life long battle
with Rheumatoid
Arthritis. Kris
continues to display
her perseverance
despite the
obstacles. She is
the President of
Strong Spirit
Unlimited,
where she offers
keynote speaking and
coaching to
businesses and
organizations. Kris
is known for her
“Stick to it – no
matter what!”
message, which is
both inspirational
and humerous!
Award Winning
Reporter and
Helicopter Pilot for
ABC 7NEWS, Jayson
Luber, was the
Master of
Ceremonies. Jayson's
professionalism,
compassion and sense
of humor was exactly
what we needed to
top off a very
enjoyable evening!
IDA Executive Board:
Jim Kirk MBA (CCU
Director of
Development); Ginger
Goins (Business
Professional); Ali
Garrett RN, BSN
(Children's
Hospital); Carole
Mitchell (Retired
Business
Professional): Rick
Watson (President of
Memory Bridging
Inc); Kris Harty
(Keynote Speaker,
President of Strong
Spirit Unlimited)
and Wayne Connell BA
(Television/Radio
Broadcasting,
Telecom Engineer).
All in all it was a
wonderful evening of
education, hope and
inspiration for
people living with
chronic conditions,
loved ones,
physicians, nurses,
attorneys and
businesses.
