Bridge Awards

2010 Bridge Awards Presented by Verizon Communications

Keynote speaker Dr. Raymond Hart delivered a compelling presentation at the 2010 Bridge Awards presented by Verizon. Dr. Hart used data findings to illustrate the value of a strong education model to communities. Click here to download a copy of Dr. Hart's presentation (PowerPoint).

Click here to view a slideshow from the event.

2010 Award Nominations

Individual Advocate

• Shawn Bhagat, American Fuel Distributors, LP
• Heather Claxton, Irving Independent School District
• Robert J. Glaser, Jr., The Robert J. & Helen H. Glaser Family
• Eric Ligon, University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design
• Yolanda Medina, Richardson Public Library
• Carlos Morales, Gaylord Texan
• Dr. Mary Patton, Texas Christian University
• Cary A. Siegfried, Arlington Public Library
• Dr. Kathleen Tice, University of Texas at Arlington, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
• Elva Wallace-Martinez, Debes Creer en Ti (DCET)

Community Advocate

• American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Texas
• Burleson Rotary Club
• Every Child Ready to Read @ Dallas
• Richardson Adult Literacy Center
• Tarrant County College District
• The Reading Connection
• University of Texas at Arlington
• World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth

Corporate Advocate

• Beard Integrated Systems, Incorporated
• BNSF Railway Company
• DART
• Essilor Vision Foundation
• IBM
• Texas Health Resources
• United Way of Tarrant County

2009 Award Recipients

Individual Advocate:

J.R. Labbe, Editorial Page Editor for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram . As one of Fort Worth’s “community assets,” Ms. Labbe has worked tirelessly promoting adult literacy with the Rotary Club of Fort Worth and by serving on the Adult Literacy Advisory Board of the United Way of Metropolitan Tarrant County and was the first president of the Tarrant Literacy Coalition.

John and Rosetta Walz, Coordinators for English Equals Opportunit y. The Walzes have coordinated the McKinney Public Library System’s program for the past three and a half years with 75 students per semester participating.

Community Advocate:

Literacy Instruction for Texas (LIFT) . In a 12 month period ending in January 2009, LIFT served more than 8,000 adults in its classes. In addition, the program provides GED training in 13 North Texas locations with more than 700 low literate adults participating.

Rotary Club of Fort Worth . The Rotary Club of Fort Worth has adopted adult literacy as its major issue. To support this, the club sponsored the first Tarrant County Corporate Spelling Bee supporting the Tarrant Literacy Coalition, and members of the club are currently planning a Workforce Literacy Economic Summit.

Corporate Advocate:

Chesapeake Energy Corporation . Since 2004, Chesapeake Energy has been an active member of the Tarrant County community supporting numerous programs that aim to increase adult literacy. Some of the ways that Chesapeake has contributed to literacy include supporting the Fort Worth Public Library Foundation, Literacy for Life, the Rotary Club of Fort Worth Corporate Spelling Bee and the Forest Hill Public Library to name a few.

Verizon. With David Russell’s vision, the Verizon Foundation’s nationwide advocacy of literacy was brought to the forefront of regional issues supported by the North Texas Future Fund. Verizon provides Thinkfinity, a free program that offers literacy distance learning. In North Texas, Verizon has donated leadership and resources to various organizations; and encourages employee volunteerism to combat the growing literacy problem in the region.