Community Builder; What an Honor!

Community Builder Award

Being able to surprise the Master of Ceremonies is not an easy task, but the amazing ladies at Keep Indian River Beautiful were able to do just that during the 3rd Annual Environmental Awards held at the prestigious Oak Harbor Country Club.

The afternoon was a terrific success with over 80 people in attendance from nominees to dignitaries and an array of amazing raffle prizes that helped to raise money for KIRB’s ongoing efforts to educate, participate with and enhance Indian River County.

Though many of the awards are open to the public for nomination and winners are voted on by judges outside of the committee, the board of KIRB does select winners each year for particular awards including: Partner of the Year (Lowes), New Partner of the Year (UPS), MRRP Volunteer of the Year (Laura Guthridge), Volunteer of the Year (Bill Madigan) and Community Builder of the Year which I thought was going to White Glove Moving & Storage and that Mr. Phil DeLange would be accepting the award; however, they started reading different attributes and I began to realize it was for me.  What?! Here’s the recap of the award summary from Daisy Packer, Executive Director of KIRB:

The Community Builder Award is to recognize a business or individual for connecting the community with the environment. We look for people who build up others with positive energy and education. Thanks to Anna, we all know White Glove Moving and Storage as a community company, always getting involved in unique ways that make our community a better place. They have a many programs to encourage waste reduction from their recycled boxes to delivering unwanted canned and boxed food to a food pantry instead of you throwing it away. Please help me for a moment, please stand up if you are here because Anna invited you – or she has talked you about the recycling efforts of White Glove – or she has talked to you about Keep Indian River Beautiful – or if she ever connected you to someone else in the community – please stand up.  I’m sure White Glove recognizes Anna’s best attribute, truly caring about people and our community. She thinks of connections no one else does, not only to each other, but to our environment and our community.  This is why Anna Valencia-Tillery is the recipient of this year’s Community Builder Award.

Talk about leaving a girl speechless! Needless to say, I was too stunned to deliver a speech right then but as I went up to do the close of the banquet and pick winners for each of the fantastic raffles prizes from our terrific donors: Pak Mail Beachside, Foxy Nails, Hair Studio of Vero, Blue Star, White Glove Moving, Vero Beach Country Club, Oak Harbor Club, Upcycle It Store, Republic Services, Waste Management’s Citrus Gift Card, Dr. Rudy’s All Natural Weed Killer and Oculina Bank’s Taste of Sebastian basket; I had to thank my terrific boss in audience for the ability to have the freedom I do to be a community matchmaker.

After hearing all the great groups nominated, I realized I really had done business or helped to promote each and every one of them in the room while some I even collaborate with on a regular basis through my personal life; non-work related. And what a joy it is to know, I truly practice what I preach. To be recognized by my peers for just being me is a real honor and a compliment I will live up the rest of my many days.  If you too want to get involved; I can help!

Sincerely,

Your Community Builder

Anna Valencia Tillery with White Glove Moving/The Vero Insider