The Community Development Partnership (CDP) seeks nominations from the community for two Awards presented annually to distinguished community members. The 14th Annual Gwen Pelletier Award for Excellence in Community Service and the 5th Annual Norm Edinberg Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship will be presented at the CDP’s 27th Annual Meeting, which will be held on Thursday, March 29th at Karoo Restaurant, Eastham, MA.
The Gwen Pelletier Award for Excellence in Community Service was created to honor former longtime CDP Executive Director, Gwen Pelletier for her years of service to the Lower Cape Community. It recognizes individuals, businesses or organizations for their involvement and support for maintaining the economic diversity of the Lower Cape.
“We have so many individuals and organizations on the Lower Cape working to create opportunities for our low- to moderate-income neighbors,” said CDP Chief Executive Officer, Jay Coburn. “Presenting the Gwen Pelletier Award each year is an important way for us to recognize those efforts that are such a critical part of building a stronger Lower Cape community.”
The organization is looking for local individuals, businesses or organizations that have:
- Demonstrated a positive effect on the community or population.
- Contributed to a program that improves the livability of the local community.
- Demonstrated goodwill built by developing collaborative efforts with local communities and partnerships with other organizations.
- Demonstrated thoroughness in program/project planning & implementation.
The Norm Edinberg Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship was created to honor the late Norm Edinberg, former longtime CDP Board Member, for his years of service to the Lower Cape business community. The Award recognizes an established Lower Cape business owner who has utilized CDP business and credit services, and who has an established community connection through social responsibility, environmental sustainability, volunteer time or financial contributions.
“Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the engine of the Lower Cape economy and so many of those businesses are leaders in building community,” said Coburn. We are delighted to recognize a talented business owner invested in their success, and committed to creating opportunities for their employees and their community.”
The organization is looking for Lower Cape business owners that have:
- Used the business and credit services offered by the CDP (loans, technical assistance, training, etc.)
- Been in business for a minimum of five years
- 3 or more full time employees (including themselves)
- An established community connection either through social responsibility, environmental sustainability, volunteer time or financial contributions
- The business is located in Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, Eastham, Orleans, Brewster, Chatham or Harwich
If you know of an individual or business that you feel meets the above qualities, please forward your nomination by Friday, February 23, 2018 to Britt Beedenbender at the CDP, britt@capecdp.org or 3 Main Street Mercantile, Unit 7 Eastham, MA 02642. Nomination forms are available for download on the CDP website. Contact Britt with questions – (508) 240-7873 x25.
Past Award Winners of the Gwen Pelletier Award for Excellence in Community Service:
2017 – Janet Lesniak, Wellfleet Preservation Hall
2016 – Florence Seldin of Chatham, retired School Superintendent, long-time CDP Board Member
2015 – Paul Ruchinskas of Brewster, retired affordable housing advocate
2014 – Jari Rapaport of Eastham, long-time CDP Board Member
2013 – Bob Murray of the Falmouth Housing Authority
2012 – Susan Lindquist of Brewster, host of This Place Matters
2011 – Lisa Brown of Wellfleet, The Haiti Project
2010 – State Senator Robert O’Leary
2009 – Mary Lou Pettit, who helped create the CDP and served on the Board for 18 years.
2008 – Christine Austin, Program Director, Homeless Prevention Council
2007 – Ted Malone of Provincetown, President, Community Housing Resource, Inc.
2006 – David Willard, Vice President, Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank
2005 – The award was established and presented to Gwen Pelletier
Past Award Winners of the Norm Edinberg Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship:
2017 – Laura Davis, Cosmos Catering, Provincetown
2016 – Judy Tarr, Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop—Eastham
2015 – Tom Boland and Jim Farley, Far Land Provisions—Provincetown
2014 – The award was established and presented to Sanette Groenewald, Karoo Restaurant—Eastham
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
The Community Development Partnership supports an array of programs that strengthen our Lower Cape community, providing greater opportunities for all who live here to thrive.
Our work starts with creating affordable homes—so essential to a healthy economy, but a real challenge in communities like ours where seasonal and vacation dynamics drive the market beyond the reach of many who live and work locally all year round.
We also work to launch entrepreneurs and strengthen local businesses. We believe a vibrant future depends on sustaining traditional industries and inspiring new ones—especially when they’re based on renewable natural resources such as fishing, farming, art and hospitality.
In all that we do, we aim to protect the natural environment around us—preserving the character and sustaining the future of this special place we call home.
To find out more information about this organization, go to www.capecdp.org.
