#FlashbackFriday – Joan Velasquez Wins Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service

Almost exactly 8 years ago, Mano a Mano co-founder Joan Velasquez was awarded the Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service for her work with Mano a Mano. The award is given by the National Peace Corps Association to a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who continues to make a sustained and distinguished contribution to humanitarian causes at home or abroad. Joan served in the Peace Corps in Bolivia from 1967-1969.

Here are a few pictures from the awards ceremony in San Francisco October 3-4, 2008:

Mano a Mano co-founders Joan and Segundo Velasquez with the Sargent Shriver award.

Joan giving her acceptance speech. From her speech: “Last week Segundo attended the dedication of a new road that Mano a Mano constructed in the high Andes. Before that road was built, area farmers had to travel for three days to reach the nearest market, a trip that they simply could not afford to make. Now they will be on a truck route and will arrive in less than an hour. As we celebrate here this evening, these farmers are planting grapes and vegetables because they have a way to get them to market.”

Join Us For Mano a Mano Co-Founder Joan Velasquez’s Retirement Party on Sunday, October 2nd (2-4:30pm) at the Mano a Mano Office

After 22+ years of pro bono, full-time volunteer work, Joan is ‘retiring’ from the day-to-day Mano a Mano management team at the end of this year. Help us honor Joan and celebrate her tremendous dedication on Sunday, October 2nd, from 2-4.30pm at the Mano a Mano office in St. Paul. This event is an open house format, and no RSVP is needed. We hope to see you there!

Click here for more information about the October 2nd retirement party for Joan.