CADCA Honors Colin Reed and Frances Hesselbein for Helping to Keep Youth Drug Free

CADCA Honors Gaylord Entertainment’s Colin Reed and Leader to Leader Institute’s Frances Hesselbein for Helping to Keep Youth Drug Free

Reed, Hesselbein, Others to Receive Awards at Drug-Free Kids Campaign Awards Dinner Sept. 27

Washington, D.C. – Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) is pleased to announce that it has named Colin Reed, Chairman and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment Inc. as this year’s Humanitarian of the Year for his personal commitment to helping to prevent teen drug use and support of CADCA’s efforts. Gaylord Entertainment Inc. has a long history of philanthropy in support of community development, youth and education. CADCA also named Frances Hesselbein, President and CEO of the Leader to Leader Institute, as the 2011 Champion for a Drug-Free Kids for helping CADCA realize its mission of creating safe, healthy and drug-free communities. Hesselbein serves on many non-profit and corporate boards and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton in 1998 for her volunteer service.

CADCA will honor these leaders at its 13th annual Drug-Free Kids Campaign Awards Dinner at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, D.C. During the dinner, CADCA will also present two Lifetime Distinguished Service Awards to long-time CADCA supporters, Edward T. Foote, II, President Emeritus, University of Miami and Gerald Roche, Senior Chairman, Heidrick & Struggles, Washington, D.C.
 
“Not all heroes enter burning buildings or fight for our country. Some, like the coalitions and youth CADCA represents, work every day to keep kids off drugs. CADCA is the national voice for these everyday heroes. Together, we are transforming communities into safe, healthy places for kids, families and businesses to thrive. We couldn’t do this work without the support of our honorees,” said Gen. Arthur T. Dean, CADCA’s Chairman and CEO.

The theme of the Drug-Free Kids Campaign Awards Dinner is “Celebrating Everyday Heroes,” highlighting the work that youth and community leaders around the country are doing to improve their communities. Two youth coalition leaders – Kayla Scarbrough-Bell from Reading, Penn. and Nicholas Duclos from Holyoke, Mass. – will provide remarks.

CADCA’s annual Drug-Free Kids Campaign Awards Dinner recognizes leaders and corporations who are supporting and educating the community about substance abuse and its impact on young people. The Humanitarian of the Year award was created to honor corporations and individuals that share CADCA’s vision of building brighter futures for our nation’s young people and that understand the value of community anti-drug coalitions. The Champion for a Drug-Free Kids Award recognizes an outstanding organization that dedicates time, energy and resources to help prevent youth drug abuse.

A portion of the Campaign benefits CADCA’s National Youth leadership Initiative, an investment in youth leaders that pays real dividends now and in the future. The NYLI is an evidence-based youth development and training program, helping youth and adult mentors strategically address their local alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems. CADCA trains more than 500 young people each year through the NYLI.