In March 2017, Hephzibah honored Mary Anne Brown with the Heart of Gold Award just three short months before she would retire from her 41 year tenure as Hephzibah’s beloved leader. Mary Anne embodied her community, meeting every challenge to the families of Oak Park by bringing people together to overcome it. Affordable day care, community-based foster care, a sibling camp for separated foster kids, and volunteer tutelage for students falling behind – all of these programs were born from her belief in the community to rise to any occasion.
This March, we will be awarding
The Mary Anne Brown
Heart of the Home Award
in recognition of outstanding service and commitment to Hephzibah by a community member and volunteer to Tami Wanless, president of our Western Auxiliary. Mary Anne was often overheard saying “you’ll give what you can, and that’s enough,” a refrain that continues to inspire people to engage deeply with our work, to encounter the difficult reality of vulnerable families and suffering children and be a part of the solution.
Cuyler Brown, Mary Anne’s son (pictured above, left) has this to say:
“My mom always knew this community was special and was willing to spend nearly 50 years to help inspire others to recognize the same. I hope this award, and those that receive it, can help inspire this community to continue to be there for one another for 50 years and more.”
We hope to see you on March 6th at 6:30pm for the Heart of Gold Ball!
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