Award Recipients with Carver CEO at Winter Wonderland Fundraising Event

January 11, 2025 - The Carver Center held its annual Winter Wonderland fundraising event and dinner on Saturday, January 11, 2025. This year's theme, "A Starry Night," symbolized the guiding light that supporters and sponsors provide to the Carver community. 

The Richard Pryor Auditorium at Carver was transformed into a beautiful Winter Wonderland experience! Musical guest Dexter O'Neal and the Funkyard band entertained the attendees while guest speaker Cindy Morris, President of the Peoria Public Schools Foundation, spoke about community relations. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, sponsors, and donors, The Carver Center raised funds for new playground equipment for their Early Childcare Program. If you would like to donate to The Carver Center, please visit www.thecarvercenter.com/giving.

During the event, awards were presented to outstanding leaders and visionaries in the Peoria Community.

The Percy Baker Sports and Athletics Award was presented to Dan Ruffin, Felix Lobdell, and Roger Hightower

The Centennial Star Award was presented to Journalist Pam Adams

The Erma Davis Education Award was presented to Peoria Public Schools Executive Director, Dr. Annette Coleman

The Ken Hinton Arts and Humanities Award was presented to former News Anchor Garry Moore

For more updates and future events, please visit thecarvercenter.com or call 309-839-0722.

Photographer: Reginald Birris