Cheriss May, 2016 Acts of Kindness Award Recipient
Nationwide — There is something truly wrong when the bad stuff is more what you hear about than the good stuff. You’ll start to believe that’s all there is. It will desensitize you and you’ll even start to think it’s the norm and to be expected. “People need to hear about the good stuff,” says Wanda Adams, founder and CEO of ACCOLADE Celebrations, LLC, and producer of the annual Acts of Kindness Awards.
The Acts of Kindness Awards, a black-tie, red-carpet awards and recognition gala, was established by ACCOLADE Celebrations, LLC, to have a positive impact on society by celebrating the Excellence in People. “Rewarding and recognizing the Excellence in People not only makes the person feel great, it promotes behavior that we expect from everyone,” says Wanda.
In an era where more attention is given to negative publicity and the ills of the world, “It’s important to set special time aside to recognize and show appreciation for the good things people do,” says Wanda.
The Acts of Kindness Awards is an event that is “by and for the people,” said Wanda. People in the D.C. Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan areas can nominate him or herself or someone they know for any of four award categories: Humanitarian; Good Samaritan; Outstanding Human Service; and Outstanding Community Service. “We go above and beyond for our award winners so that they have a great experience, and are left with memorable impressions,” says Wanda.
Past award recipients include Ms. Cynthia Brooks, daughter of the late Bea Gaddy, and Executive Director of the Bea Gaddy Family Center, Inc., in Baltimore, MD. Ms. Brooks is a recipient of the Acts of Kindness Humanitarian Award. She received citations from both the Mayor and Governor’s Offices, and a Congressional Citation from the Office of the Honorable Elija Cummings, for carrying on her mother’s legacy by serving thousands in Baltimore on Thanksgiving Day.
“We received dozens of award nominations from the community,” said Wanda. This year’s Award Finalists have been announced – and winners are chosen by on-line voting that concluded in January. Award winners will be announced at the upcoming Acts of Kindness Awards Gala. Winners receive a VIP invitation to the gala and up to two free tickets for their guests; a commemorative engraved award and a congressional and/or governor’s citation; and a feature in the Acts of Kindness Souvenir Program Booklet.
The next Acts of Kindness Awards Gala is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 2017, from 7:30pm to 11:30pm, at the beautiful Martin’s Crosswinds, in Greenbelt, Maryland. Early registration will end on March 31st. An audience of more than 200 attendees is expected, to include representatives from the local and state government. The event includes dinner. The Gala’s host is Jennifer Croneberger, who was named the #1 motivational speaker in Philadelphia and Washington D.C., in both 2015 and 2016. Performances will be by Mosaic Harmony, a Washington metropolitan area community choir, whose concerts are high-energy and inspiring, leaving audiences feeling uplifted and encouraged. For additional details and to take advantage of early registration, go to www.accoladecelebrations.com.
There is a lot to be gained from hearing about the positive. “It boosts morale, releases stress, encourages good behavior, and motivates us to want to do better,” says Wanda. That is why, Wanda says, “my mission is to have a positive impact on society by Celebrating the Excellence in People” – and that is what the Acts of Kindness Awards is meant to do.
PRESS CONTACT:
Wanda Adams
w.adams@accoladecelebrations.com
844-929-2737