ICSC receives Caring Hands Award for Katrina service

ICSC received the Social Responsibility Caring Hands Award from the New York Society of Association Executives (NYSAE), in recognition of the efforts of its members who helped rebuild homes and schools devastated by hurricane Katrina. About 300 ICSC members attending the Fall Conference last October in New Orleans devoted a day to do some heavy lifting and help the people there. The event, called The Passion Team: Helping to Rebuild the Gulf South, put volunteers to work relandscaping, repainting and generally rebuilding the Hollygrove-Carrollton section of the city. The program's organizers were American Express, AmeriCorps, the Louisiana Serve Commission, Rebuilding Together, and Trinity Christian Community. Kate Wendel, SCMD, director of marketing, marketplace centers and new developments at General Growth Properties, who served on the planning committee, welcomed the news. "ICSC is to be commended for its willingness to embrace this idea wholeheartedly, not just for the New Orleans program, but going forward in future years," said Wendel. Afterward, the used equipment was donated to local organizations, and an additional $1,100 was raised for the cause. The NYSAE, which created the award in 1991, seeks to honor organizations that help solve social problems through community service.