WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Jefferson Awards Foundation (JAF), America’s gold seal of public service, honored Dorothea Bongiovi with the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Outstanding Public Service Benefiting the Local Community, for her powerful, positive impact during the foundation’s annual gala in Washington, D.C. The Jefferson Awards Foundation recognized students, companies and individuals for their efforts to make a difference both in their communities and our nation. The gala also honored co-founder of BET Sheila Johnson, Major League Baseball executive and MLB Hall of Fame inductee Joe Torre, former Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick and Black Lives Matter Founders Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi.
Dorothea was among more than 11 local grassroots heroes honored with national awards who were celebrated for the significant impact they had in their communities. She was nominated by NJ Advance Media for founding the JBJ Soul Kitchen, a community restaurant that empowers individuals by providing volunteer opportunities in exchange for a dining certificate for themselves and their family, as well as job training.
Recipients of these local Jefferson Awards include winners of this year’s Students in Action program along with honorees selected by JAF’s local media partners and corporate Champion Partners in markets throughout the country.
“America is filled with heroes in local communities who wake up every day and create positive change,” said Hillary Schafer, Executive Director of The Jefferson Awards Foundation. “It is a privilege for The Jefferson Awards Foundation to honor the best of these individuals and in doing so, use the power of storytelling as a multiplier for good.”
About the Jefferson Awards Foundation
The Jefferson Awards Foundation (JAF) powers others to have maximum impact on the things they care about most. They are the largest multiplier of public service in America. Through celebration, they inspire action. With programs and partnerships, they drive Americans to change their communities and the world. They are celebrating 45 years of powering public service. To learn more about the Jefferson Awards Foundation, visit: JeffersonAwards.org or engage with their community on Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Facebook.
