The Sybyl Awards — created in memory of community advocate and tireless volunteer Sybyl Atwood — will continue to honor those who work to better the Flint community. For a decade, friends and family administered the awards to honor Atwood’s legacy. Now, the Hurley Foundation is stepping up to operate the annual recognition to ensure the tradition continues.
Atwood served as the program director for volunteer and information services at Resource Genesee and its predecessor organizations for more than 40 years. She was known for her tireless work to help others, her ability to cajole others into helping her, and for a relentlessly giving spirit. She died in 2007 of ovarian cancer.
"Anyone who has attended this treasured event understands the value of maintaining Sybyl's legacy through the award,” says Jordan E. Brown, director of volunteer services at the Hurley Foundation. “Our intention is to continue to recognize the treasured volunteers of Genesee County, while honoring the integrity of this community event."
The Sybyl Awards are given each year to someone who demonstrates leadership in their field, makes valid attempts to improve the quality of life for the less fortunate, connects people to community resources, nurtures community connections, and is an inspiration and mentor to many.
A fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint also was established to honor Atwood’s legacy. Larry Cappel, a director of the Robert and Christine Steinmann Family Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio, established the fund to support programs and organizations that provide emergency resources to residents of Genesee County facing immediate and critical needs.
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