In 2003, the Board of Directors of The Legacy of Love Foundation sought to further its fundraising efforts beyond the private donations received from, and trusts being established by, individuals. In their discussion, the conversation turned to the leadership roles of men throughout the community and how recognition was sometimes focused on a particular field or the individual, but that there was not an event that celebrated these achievements across a broad spectrum of fields and individuals. It was agreed that the fields of physical and mental health, economic empowerment, education excellence, and the arts would be consistently represented with individuals from other fields recognized as determined each year.
Following additional discussion, the Board then identified how such an event could also simultaneously advance its goals to sustain scholarship support for students and directly benefit community organizations. Thus, it was decided that the "Men Making a Difference in the Community Awards Gala" would not only provide funds for scholarships, but that each honoree would be invited to identify a community organization, which would also become a designated award recipient through The Legacy of Love Foundation.
MMAD is the Foundation's signature public event through which funds are raised. In the two years since its launch, twelve new student scholarships have been awarded, and more than 15 non-profit, community organizations, educational institutions, and scholarship associations have been award recipients. They include: Concerned Black Men; the Dolores K. Brown Scholarship at CAP A; Father's Day Rally, Inc.; Germantown Academy, Grace Community Christian Center; Mercy Neighborhood Ministries; the Mt. Airy Cultural Center; Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Philadelphia Black Alliance for Educational Options; the Philadelphia Foundation; the Philadelphia Scholars; the Sonny Hill Foundation; the Spruce Adolescent Counseling and Education Center; and the Women's Center at Lincoln University, PA. Scholarship awardees of Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter are introduced each spring during the Chapter's May Week Luncheon, to which all sponsors are invited guests. |
|
