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Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD If there was a common theme in the acceptance speeches of the recipients of this year's William Pynchon Medal, it was that they were pleased to be in this year's group with one another. Dianne Fuller Doherty, Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe and Frank W. Anderson all expressed their admiration for each other and their accomplishments at a press conference on Monday morning. The Order of William Pynchon was established in 1915 by the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts (then known as the Publicity Club) for the purpose of giving public recognition to those citizens in the region who have rendered distinguished civic service. The award bears the name of Springfield's founder, whose life and achievements typify the ideals of promoting citizenship and the building of a better community, qualities the award is intended to recognize and encourage. Speaking of Doherty, Pynchon Selection Committee member Karen Woltjen Hines said, "Dianne Fuller Doherty is a woman of compassion, integrity and drive. An incredibly gifted and giving person, she has spent most of her adult life in the service of others. As a staunch supporter of our region, she works to help individuals, organizations and communities reach their full potential for the benefit of all." Doherty is known for her work as one of the founders of the Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts as well as her work with the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, Bay Path College and Digital Divide Data, which is providing opportunities for disadvantaged youth in Cambodia and Laos. Doherty said, "I am so honored and privileged to be standing here." She noted her husband Paul was honored with the Pynchon Award in 2005. Christopher Buendo recounted how Ashe was essential in the founding of Downey Side. "Michael Ashe, along with a few other dedicated citizens, founded Downey Side 40 years ago. Downey Side is committed to permanently placing homeless children with loving families. After graduate school, he and his wife Barbara served as the first house parents of Downey Side Homes for Youth, taking on this awesome responsibility in addition to raising their own young children. Sheriff Ashe also served as Downey Side's first assistant director. In the last 40 years, Downey Side has placed over 7,000 children with loving families. Throughout those 40 years, Michael has played an active role in supporting and guiding Downey Side," Buendo said. He added that Ashe's contributions to the community go well beyond his work as sheriff. Ashe thanked his wife, his brother and his staff at the jail for his success. "I'm only as good as the people around me," he said. "I'm so blessed." Richard DeBonis noted how Anderson's community work began. "Frank's good works began long before his retirement as a successful MassMutual life insurance agent. In 1968, he saw a need to help young African-American, Latino and Native American children from poor school districts throughout the United States receive the education they need. That's when he co-founded the 'A Better Chance' (ABC) program in Amherst a program that brought high school-aged children into strong school settings. He helped convince the Amherst community to embrace this program by accepting these children from other communities and cultures to attend Amherst High School free of tuition and provide them with a place to live. The program continues to flourish and thus far has helped over 100 students attend more than 50 colleges and universities," DeBonis said. Anderson has also been active for years with the American Red Cross in the area and was awarded the Clara Barton Award in 2006 the highest award for a volunteer. Anderson said he was in "very heady company." "Volunteerism is a team sport," he said and added he has made many friends through the efforts in which he has been involved. This year's award winners will be honored at a dinner and ceremony conducted Nov. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Chez Joseph in Agawam. Tickets and more information are available at www.adclubwm.org or by calling the Club Administrator at 736-2582. | ||||||
