The annual meeting of the CARE for Children board of directors was held Thursday evening at the Bradford Club.
The CARE board honored Greg and Cherie Booth with the organization’s Community CARE Award. Tina Martin, executive director, and Mick Marshall, past president of the CARE board of directors, presented the Booths with the award.
“The board chose to honor Greg and Cherie Booth as CARE’s capital campaign nears its five year conclusion,” said Marshall. “It is fitting to honor Greg and Cherie as two true leaders of the campaign, and extend our appreciation for all they do to strengthen CARE for Children as an organization.”
“More than their dedication to the building project and the Ashley Booth Griffin CARE for Children Center, Greg and Cherie have become true and vocal advocates for CARE’s mission and continue to be avid supporters of our programs and services,” added Martin.
In accepting the award, Greg Booth said, “We are truly honored and humbled that the CARE board selected Cherie and I as this year’s Community CARE Award recipients. Being involved with this wonderful organization and being able to help so many very deserving children has been a fabulous experience.
“We feel blessed that we have been given the opportunity to help so many families in our community,” Booth added.
In addition to the Community CARE Award, the board of directors and the many friends of the Booths have designated a room in the Ashley Booth Griffin CARE for Children Center in their honor and a tile plaque will be placed in the building as a constant reminder of their outstanding support of the organization.
During the meeting, CARE Board President Karen Gelston provided a review of CARE’s 2015-16 fiscal year.
“During the fiscal year, CARE has worked to stabilize funding streams and for the first time in 92 years exceeded $1 million dollars in operating revenues which was independent of capital campaign funds,” noted Gelston.
Meanwhile, CARE Board Development Chair Deborah Price recognized fellow board member Scott Bayline for his long-standing and dedicated service to the organization.
Bayline has served three consecutive terms on the CARE board of directors and will complete a nine-year tenure in December. New board member Fred Graham will begin a three-year term in January 2017.
The CARE board also honored employees who have reached milestone years of service at the organization.
Tom Ball, board secretary, recognized Tina M. Martin, executive director, for her 15 years of service, including 10 years as executive director. Other staff reaching milestones included Ashley Carlson, MOT, OTR/L, pediatric therapy services director, 10 years; Ann Kane, PT, physical therapist, five years; and Melanie Rendos, B.S., COTA/L, occupational therapy assistant and special instructor, five years.
The Community CARE Awards were established by the board of directors in 2003 to recognize outstanding contributions to the agency and to the children and families to whom CARE provides service.
CARE for Children is a non-profit organization which provides pediatric therapy services, early learning programs, child safety and injury prevention initiatives, and community outreach services for children of all abilities in McKean County, Pennsylvania and the surrounding region.
CARE has been providing services for children of all abilities since 1924.
