The Wawa Foundation Announces SPIN as the First-Ever Winner of The Wawa Foundation “Hero Award”
SPIN was recognized during Wawa Welcome America Independence Day Celebration and awarded a $50,000 grant from The Wawa Foundation
Contact: Adam Hymans, 215.796.7759, ahymans@spininc.org
Photo: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3hwkytdx478zoq0/SPIN-WINS-HERO-AWARD.JPG?dl=0
Philadelphia, PA. (July 4, 2016) – After more than 11,500 votes were cast from people around the region, The Wawa Foundation, Wawa’s non-profit through which its charitable giving is channeled, announced that SPIN (Special People in Northeast) is the winner of The Wawa Foundation’s first-ever “Hero Award,” an honor given to non-profit organizations serving the greater Philadelphia area to recognize their outstanding commitment to assist others and helping to advance communities through preserving our freedom, protecting our safety, inspiring learning, and encouraging and empowering others to become better citizens and community members. The Wawa Foundation Hero Award was launched during Philadelphia’s Wawa Welcome America! festivities and was presented in front of thousands of people as part of the Independence Day morning ceremony on July 4th in front of Independence Hall. During the event, Wawa’s President and CEO, Chris Gheysens, presented the awards on the stage, speaking about the significance of each nonprofit and their heroic efforts to improve the lives of so many people throughout Philadelphia. SPIN was selected as the Hero Award Gold Medal winner after receiving the highest number of public votes over a 10-day period on The Wawa Foundation website among four non-profit finalists, including Veterans Multi-Service Center Philadelphia, Beat the Streets and Philadelphia Reads. The four finalists were chosen among more than 300 submissions from Philadelphia-area non-profits for having the most compelling stories of assisting others and advancing their communities. As the winner of the Hero Award Gold Medal, SPIN will receive a $50,000 grant from The Wawa Foundation and the three runners up will each receive Silver Hero Medals and $10,000 grants.
About the Winner
SPIN
SPIN provides the highest quality, people-first services and support for children and adults with autism and intellectual disabilities. SPIN supports more than 3,500 infants, children, and adults across southeastern PA and the Lehigh Valley. Find out more at http://spininc.org/.
About The Wawa Foundation “Hero Award” Submission Process
More than 300 non-profit organizations applied for The Wawa Foundation “Hero Award” by submitting, through The Wawa Foundation website, a video and/or a short story with background on the organization’s work with, and impact on, the community. The Wawa Foundation Hero Award Panel (the “Panel”) selected the four most compelling stories. The four finalists were put to a public vote, and after receiving the most votes, SPIN was presented to the Panel for final approval and determination.
