RCAC Home Page >
News and Publications >
RCAC's Network News September 2010 >
General News >
RCAC celebrates the 29th Yoneo Ono Award recipient
By Sharon Wills, public relations communications coordinator
RCAC honored Kay Clarke Philip as the 2010 Yoneo Ono outstanding rural volunteer award recipient in Carbondale, Colorado on Aug. 4. The celebration was held in the midst of majestic red rock mountains at the Eagle’s View Restaurant in the heart of the Roaring Fork Valley. RCAC’s board and several staff traveled to Carbondale to host the presentation and dinner, and share in the moment with Philip’s family and colleagues.
From left to right: Dr. Florine Raitano, RCAC board president; Connie Baker-Wolfe, RCAC regional housing manager; Kay Phillip, Yoneo Ono Award recipient; Janet Rippy, Mountain Regional Housing Corporation executive director
“Kay has been the driving force behind affordable housing in the valley. More specifically, Carbondale would not have the amount or the quality of affordable housing units it has today without her tireless efforts both as a volunteer and a staff member,” said Janet Rippy, Mountain Regional Housing Corporation executive director.
The petite, soft spoken Philip graciously accepted the award and gave thanks to all the people who have given many hours of personal time, energy and expertise to create and maintain affordable housing in the Roaring Fork Valley region. RCAC also presented Philip with $4,000 to donate to a charitable organization of her choosing in the community.
“RCAC has been a driving force to ensure the success of organizations like Mountain Regional Housing and the people we serve. We are honored to provide Yoneo Ono funds to the Feed My Sheep Ministry for the Homeless – founded by Karolyn Spencer, a dynamic board member no longer with us – and to Mountain Regional Housing to continue our services and commitment. Yoneo Ono certainly lives on, and we are extremely grateful to be a part of his memory and tradition,” said Philip.
Kay Phillip, Yoneo Ono Award recipient, and
Stan Keasling, RCAC CEO
Philip is recognized for nearly 20 years of voluntary assistance provided to low- and moderate income workers, town employees, resort workers, Latino service workers and the homeless.
“Few people in the Roaring Fork Valley region of Colorado have been untouched by Kay’s dedication and commitment to this region,” said Connie Baker Wolfe, RCAC regional housing manager.
The area has experienced rapid growth during the last 15 years, and the cost of housing has risen in some instances more than 200 percent in a single’s year time. The region includes Carbondale, Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Basalt, Rifle and Eagle. The area struggles with escalating real estate values, staggering land costs and other complications related to its 62 percent second homeownership composition.
Resort areas are often thought of for their amenities; richly decorated ski resorts and 4,000 square-foot vacation homes. So often the people that provide the labor that guide and support these amenities are left without decent, affordable housing. Community volunteers like Philip and affordable housing agencies like Mountain Regional Housing Corporation work (often behind the scenes without any spotlight) and play a very important role in community development.
The Yoneo Ono presentation ceremony provides colleagues an opportunity to show their appreciation and support to those volunteers that give so much of their personal time and energy to rural community development.
The award is presented biennially (in even years). If you would like the opportunity to nominate an outstanding rural volunteer for 2012, review the criteria and complete the nomination form.
Back to Top
Back to Network News ...