The 2012 Awards for Excellence were presented to recipients during the Annual Conference at the Awards for Excellence Dinner on April 27th. Hosted by Board Chair Bruce Merlin Fried and Board Member and UCP Celebrity Ambassador Cheryl Hines, the evening recognized affiliates, individuals and companies whose exceptional activities, achievements and dedication exemplify the UCP mission.

The 2012 Awards for Excellence recipients are:

Kathleen O. Maul Leadership Award
The Kathleen O. Maul Leadership Award is presented to an exceptional executive director in memory of Kathy Maul, a remarkable executive director at UCP of Suffolk who died young and left a legacy of leadership ability and strong commitment to UCP.

Presented to: Rick Forkosh, UCP Heartland

Chair Award
The Chair Award is given to an individual, organization or company whose impact and support for UCP and its mission is deemed exemplary by the national Board of Trustees Chair.

Presented to:  The Medtronic Foundation     

Nina Eaton Program of the Year Award
A program or service of a UCP affiliate that has made an extraordinary contribution to the quality of life of people with disabilities, enabling individuals served to become more independent, productive or integrated into the family or community.

Presented to: CIP Tours
Nominated by: UCP of San Luis Obispo County 

Ritter Legacy Award
A UCP affiliate that has produced exemplary communications through a variety of media that increase public awareness about people with disabilities, the programs of the affiliate and the national UCP brand through the use of the official UCP logo, colors and messaging.

Presented to: UCP of Maine for their Monthly YouTube UCP News Broadcast

Outstanding Youth Award
A youth who has significantly enhanced the lives of people with disabilities through care giving, volunteerism, advocacy, innovation or fundraising.

Presented to: Brooke Arnold
Nominated by: UCP of Baton Rouge   

Ethel Hausman Volunteer of the Year Award
A volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to a UCP affiliate and to the quality of life of people with disabilities.  UCP is proud to announce there are two 2012 winners

Presented to: Tim Noonan
Nominated by: UCP of Central Pennsylvania

Presented to: Micki James
Nominated by: UCP of the Inland Empire

Universal Accessibility Design Award
An individual, business, government or governmental agency that has provided leadership developing a universally accessible environment by creating new tools modifying the environment, enhancing independent living or achieving a barrier-free environment.

Presented to: Patrick Baechle, Baechle & Associates A.I.A.
Nominated by: Alleghenies UCP

Life Without Limits Award
An individual with disabilities who has demonstrated leadership and achievement of such caliber as to be a significant role model to individuals with and without disabilities.

Presented to: Bonnie Peterson
Nominated by: UCP of Central California