Today, Green Bay Packers' all-time leading receiver Donald Driver announced the first-ever class of Driven to Achieve Award winners.
The awards were created to recognize the achievements of charities, companies, community leaders and celebrities on both the national and local level that have made a remarkable difference.
The winners will be honored at a formal event hosted by "Good Morning America’s" Josh Elliot on Saturday, March 29 at The Pfister Hotel, 424 E Wisconsin Ave.
The Donald Driver Foundation, founded in 2001, serves thousands of underprivileged children and families with core focuses in education, homelessness, career development and health and wellness.
"What these people have done to give back to their communities is truly something special," Driver said. "It is my honor to recognize them for their efforts and I hope that by sharing these stories we are able to inspire a whole new generation of givers."
At the event, the winners, listed below, will be presented with a Driven to Achieve Award and a monetary contribution to help support their cause.
Gladys Knight – Throughout her career as a Grammy Award-winning artist, Gladys Knight – who will perform at The Pfister event – has kept busy with multiple charities including the American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, The Boys & Girls Club of America, The Minority AIDS Project amfAR and many other organizations. Knight will be recognized with a "Lifetime of Giving" award for decades of charitable work.
Lynda Kohler (SHARP Literacy) – SHARP Literacy has helped thousands of urban school children in the Milwaukee area to become confidently capable to read, write and research by using the visual arts to engage young minds and reinforce learning techniques.
Patti Gorsky (Make-A-Wish) – As the President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin, Patti Gorsky has overseen thousands of wishes granted to Wisconsin children.
John Bergstrom (Fox Cities Boys & Girls Clubs) – John Bergstrom has participated in various leadership and fundraising roles, and has lead initiatives to build Marquette Dental Scott, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, a revitalized business district in downtown Neenah and much more. In addition, Bergstrom has served as Chairman of the committee that structured the Fox Cities Boys & Girls Club.
Kaleem Claire (Urban League of Greater Madison) – As the President and CEO of Urban League of Greater Madison, Kaleem Claire has dedicated himself to ensure that African Americans and other community members are empowered to lead good lives, advance professionally and contribute to the common good in the city of Madison.
Laura Ziemer (Miracle League of the Lakeshore) – Laura Ziemer created the Miracle League of the Lakeshore, an organization dedicated to building a handicap accessible baseball diamond so that special needs children of all ages and abilities can participate in playing baseball.
Douglas Meijer (Blessings in a Backpack) – Douglas Meijer is a volunteer and charter member of the board of directors for Blessings in a Backpack, an organization that provides elementary students who are on the federal Free and Reduced Price Meal Program with a backpack of food to take home for weekends during the school year.
Anthony Robles (Make A Hero) – Born with only one leg, there were many people who never believed that Robles would be able to participate, let alone win the NCAA championship, in the physically demanding sport of wrestling. Robles continues to inspire people all over the world. Today, he’s continuing to inspire with his partnership with Make A Hero to help motivate those will disabilities to overcome their limitations in their desired sport.
Sponsor tables for the event are currently available, but you better hurry because space is limited. Organizations that are interested should contact Lammi Sports Management at (414) 727-3600 or Pat Mueller of P.M. Mueller & Associates, Inc. at (262) 796-1005.
For more information on the Donald Driver Foundation and the Driven to Achieve Awards event, visit donalddriverfoundation.com.
