November 3, 1999

WRC presents Purple Ribbon Award

Carol South
Herald contributing writer
       Acknowledging the region's stand against domestic violence, the Women's Resource Center hosted a Purple Ribbon Award Dinner last Thursday at its annual meeting at the Park Place Hotel. At that dinner it bestowed on two area couples the first annual Purple Ribbon Awards for their outstanding commitment to the center and to ending area domestic violence.
      Awards were presented to Don and Nancy Pishney and Gary Moss and Jayne Sleder for their contributions during the past year.
      "This award epitomizes the impact of the community on our efforts because without them we could not do it," said Mary Lee Lord, executive director of the Women's Resource Center. "Our staff selected these two couples for the award because of the tremendous commitment they have had to our mission."
      The Pishneys own Classic Motor Sports and have been the pipeline for the Harley Davidson motorcycles that are the cornerstone of the Women's Resource Center's Extravaganza, their major annual fundraising event every February. The couple's involvement has deepened over the past six years since the first Harley auction, however.
      This year Nancy is a member of the Board of Directors and is chair of the Extravaganza committee, giving countless hours to the center. She was surprised to receive the award and touched by the staff's recognition of her family's efforts.
      "It's almost embarrassing because I feel I get so much more from them than I give, it is such a wonderful group of men and women there," she said. "As a local business owner, I see a lot of causes that are very worthwhile, but this is one that touches a broad range of issues for me."
      The meeting also honored volunteers in the Thrift Store and Helen's House shelter, recognizing Cissy Hardy-Bunkers, Bea Erickson and Mary Patterson for their time and devotion. In addition, the following organizations received a Peace On Earth award for their stand against violence: Friends of the Benzie Zonta Transition Team, the Victim Services Coordinator and the Kalkaska County Sheriff's Office and the Leelanau County Special Unit.
      "In the past two years we have gone from 45 to more than 250 volunteers," said Lord. "This truly is a community effort."