BIG CLAP FOR Pictures: Wendy Dewhurst
CHARLES CLAPSADDLE has spent many years perfecting the art of
shining a spotlight on people and organizations who try to make
Manatee County a better place to live.
Now, the well-known and much respected Station Manager of
Manatee Educational Television is going to take center stage himself
– every year, through a new community award in his name!
Members of the local community came together last week to surprise
Charles with a presentation at the Manatee Community Foundation,
and then revealed to him that an annual award would be given out
in his name.
The award will be presented each year at the Manatee Community
Foundation’s ‘Spirit of Manatee’ award ceremony. The standing
committee who will choose the recipient will consist of a representative
from each of the following organizations: The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, Hope
Family Services, The Women’s Resource Center, Anna Maria Oyster Bar, The From Cradle
to College Foundation, The Manatee Community Foundation, and Retired Judge
Durand Adams.
The award criteria states: “Through the lens of a camera, Charles
has transformed stories from the ordinary into the extraordinary,
and has given a voice to those who otherwise might not have been
heard. The Charles Clapsaddle Community Spotlight Award will be
presented annually to the person, or organization, that best exemplifies
this exceptional achievement.”
The inaugural award will be announced at the ‘Spirit of Manatee’ event
on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. at the Bradenton Area
Convention Center.
The From Cradle to College Foundation Managing Director, Paul
Sharff, commented: “Charles Clapsaddle is one of the most
recognizable faces in our community, and the work he has done
to help so many people and agencies over many, many years
is just immeasurable. This is a well-deserved award in his
name and - we are proud to be a part of it.”
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