History of Compassion Awards
In November 1998, the first Compassion Awards Banquet was held. Daniel
Bernard, President of Somebody Cares Tampa Bay, had the desire to honor
the hundreds of small, lesser known compassion organizations. The
business community responded by sponsoring the event. Each banquet
is free to all the compassion organizations. The night is filled
with inspirational music and message.
Each ministry that attends receives a bag of gifts as a means of showing
appreciation for reaching the less fortunate on a regular basis. However,
special awards called High Impact Awards are given during the evening. The
award does not necessarily award the biggest and best, but in like manner
of Somebody Cares, desires to recognize ministries that are doing a lot
with a little.
Prior
to the banquet the ministries set up displays for a Greet and Meet hour. The
public is encouraged to visit these ministries prior to the banquet to
encourage, pray, give or volunteer.
The
goal of the banquet is to encourage these who are willing to do the work
that others, either could not or would not do, to keep going and be a blessing
to the hurting of our communities. This year, Christian Legacy Foundation
under the leadership of Bob Collins, has partnered with Somebody Cares
to see the banquet grow to another level of appreciation. |
