Kristen Rehberger will be named City Club of Tacomas first Dennis Seinfeld Emerging Leader at the clubs monthly luncheon meeting on June 21 at the Tacoma Club, according to a statement released yesterday. A decade-long volunteer with the developmentally disabled, Rehberger, 23, founded and leads Pierce County Friends and Athletes (PCFA), a nonprofit organization providing social, educational, spiritual, and athletic opportunities for developmentally disabled youth and adults in an environment with non-disabled friends. From its founding in 2004, PCFA has grown to be one of the largest independent Special Olympics programs in the state.
Krissy was selected from among 11 nominees because the selection committee felt she best exemplifies the qualities of an emerging leader, said Patricia Tobiason, chairperson of City Clubs 2006 Leadership Award Committee. Through her volunteer work with the developmentally disabled and her founding and leadership of PCFA, Krissy has demonstrated decisiveness, determination, enthusiasm, a willingness to collaborate, and an ability to inspire. In short, she is a rising star in the community.
The growth of PCFA reflects both the demand for quality programs for the target population and PCFAs ability to offer its services in a unique way. PCFA is the only program in the state to offer unified sports teams (including both disabled and non-disabled teammates) for athletes of all ages. Because of its large size, PCFA also is able to form more teams, allowing it to match age and skill levels more precisely for the participants, who range in age from 8 to 60-plus. PCFA aims to keep the program open to all who qualify, not just to those with the financial resources to support their participation. So PCFA accepts donations from participants, but sets no mandatory fees.
City Clubs Emerging Leader Award was established in 1998 to recognize outstanding individuals and encourage and assist young people just starting to grow into a leadership role as well as older individuals who only recently have emerged to take on a larger role in the South Sound community. Beginning this year, the annual award also memorializes Dennis Seinfeld, a City Club founder and past president, who died unexpectedly last year.
Luncheon Location: The Tacoma Club at the Wells Fargo Tower, 1201 Pacific Avenue, 16th Floor
Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Cost: $17 for members, $22 for first-time guests, $30 for returning nonmembers (includes lunch)
Reservations: Advance reservations required by June 12. Call (253) 272-9561 for reservations.
