Live It Award
The Live It Award is new this year, and it brought in so many deserving nominees. We chose two winners in this category — one to represent those who give back to the community in very large and sweeping ways, and the other to represent the everyday heroes who can’t seem to get from their offices to their cars without helping someone.
Alex Horowitz
Content Coordinator
ASPCA
As content coordinator at the ASPCA, Alex Horowitz gathers information about programs from across the organization and compiles it into blog postings and Web content. She also is the primary e-appeal writer, responsible for a large amount of the organization’s online revenue.
But beyond that, says Marina Mitchell, the ASPCA’s membership program coordinator, Alex has worked with rescue groups inside the city to help coordinate adoptions and has even fostered animals herself. She has volunteered with the Tri-State Sheltie Rescue and Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue in her spare time, as well as consistently volunteering to
participate in ASPCA’s own field operations.
“After Sandy hit, Alex selflessly volunteered to take home four displaced kittens and nurse them back to health until they were physically able to be returned to the shelter for adoption, despite already having two cats and an adorable small dog in her home!” Mitchell says. “Alex is always ready to do what it takes to help animals live happy and healthy lives, be it through new and engaging fundraising ideas or through her own selfless volunteering outside of work.”
John Wanda
Principal and Vice President of Finance
Chapman Cubine Adams + Hussey
John Wanda grew up in Uganda and moved to Arlington, Va., with his family in 1995. After witnessing the experiences of his children in the local school system, John and his wife, Joyce, set about re-creating that same educational environment for the children of Africa. The pair opened the Arlington Academy of Hope in the Bumwalukani village in Eastern Uganda in 2004, providing a strong foundation for a brighter future through a basic education, health care and economic development for more than 350 children.
Plus AAH’s impact on the local villages expands far beyond educational needs. For example, it partners with TOMS Shoes to supply new shoes to more than 45 primary schools in the Bududa, Manafwa, Sironko and Mbale districts. With help from the Women’s Microfinance Initiative, AAH has been instrumental in providing small business loans to women in the Bududa district. The organization has also successfully completed construction of a new borehole on AAH grounds to deliver clean water to the surrounding village.
According to Kim Cubine, president of CCAH, the entire CCAH family supports the Wandas’ endeavors with AAH, serving as advocates of the school and in many cases child sponsors.
“John and CCAH share the drive to make a difference in the world,” Cubine says, “and through his work with AAH and other organizations, John is helping his local and global community inch closer and closer to that goal.
“John’s hard work, dedication and passion are reflected in every project he touches,” she adds.
