Longtime civic and community leader Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos was named the 2006 March of Dimes Alabama Citizen of the Year at a testimonial dinner on Monday, November 27th. The 12th annual event was held at the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa in Birmingham. The event raised more than $175,000 for the March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign, making it the most successful Alabama Citizen of the Year event.
The evening included a cocktail reception with silent auction, dinner and program that featured speakers such as event chairman Patrick Denney of Cresa Partners; Sen. Jabo Waggoner; Gene Hallman of Bruno Event Team, the Honorable Sandra Storm, and attorney Tommy Yearout. Father Paul Costopoulos gave the invocation and Fox6 News anchor Rick Journey served as emcee. Dolce’ Duo provided musical entertainment for the evening.
The March of Dimes Alabama Citizen of the Year honors an outstanding citizen of Alabama whose distinguished leadership and devoted service to the community have contributed greatly to the quality of life for Alabama and its people. The recipient is a person who, in the victory of achieving success and acclaim, has given back generously to others. The Alabama Citizen of the Year event has raised more than $925,000 for the March of Dimes. Past Citizen of the Year honorees are:
§ 2005, Sen. Jabo Waggoner
§ 2004, Bill Taylor
§ 2003, Gene Hallman
§ 2002, Shelley Stewart
§ 2001, Larry D. Striplin, Jr.,
§ 2000, Elmer and Glenda Harris
§ 1999, Richard M. Scrushy
§ 1998, Dr. Lawrence J. Lemak
§ 1997, Mayor Larry P. Langford
§ 1996, State Rep. Bill Fuller
§ 1995, Dr. E. Gaylon McCollough
Presenting Sponsors are Alabama Power Services and Brookwood Medical Center. Wal-Mart serves as the Gold Sponsor. Silver Sponsors are Alabama Sports Foundation/Regions Charity Classic, City of Hoover, Cresa Partners, Evan Terry Associates, Hoar Construction,
Mercedes-Benz, U.S. International, Inc., and Regions Bank. Patron sponsors are ABC 33/40; Alabama Controls; American Mining Insurance Company; Birmingham Association Board of Realtors; Boardman, Carr, and Hutcheson P.C.; Carr Allison; Daniel Corporation; Golden Rule Franchising; Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood; Hardy Services; Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral; Honda Manufacturing of Alabama; MalcolmPirnie; Michael’s Restaurant; Neel-Schaffer. Inc.; Porter, White and Company; Princeton-Hoover; Red Mountain Bank; Regions Financial Corporation; Regions Bank; and Southeastern Industrial Construction Company.
Mission Chairmen are Patrick Denney, Cresa Partners; Jabo Waggoner, Senator, State of Alabama; Gene Hallman, Bruno Event Team, Curt Lee, Porter White and Company; June Matsos, Civic Volunteer; Tom Oliver, Carr Allison; Cindy Schreiber, Blue Cross Blue Shield; Joe Stough, Brookwood Medical Center; Nick Sellers, Alabama; and Jack Williams, Representative, State of Alabama. Steering committee members are Patrick Denney, Event Chair; Michelle Watkins, Silent Auction Chair; and Denise Oliver, Decorations Chair. The March of Dimes Special Events Coordinator is Ann Vrocher.
Other special guests include Mayor Petelos’ wife Teresa Bearden and two daughters, Stephanie and Angela; Angelos Petelos; Catherine Petelos; Babs Petelos; Dr. John and Evelyn Petelos; Joe and Ladonna Stough; Dominick and Diane Giovanelli; Bill and Andrea Taylor; Sen. Jabo and Marilyn Waggoner; Gene and Allison Hallman; Tom and Denise Olliver; Dr. Russell Kirby; Bill and Ann Vrosher; Saundra Ivey; Wayne and Mildred Mathews; Rep. Mike and Carol Hill; Judge Jill Ganus; Jimmy and Judy Carns; Betty Fine Collins; Bobby and Marcie Humphries; David Lowery; Mr. and Mrs. Hal Tilman; Garry and Karen Kelley; Gary and Michelle Watkins; Jason Anderson; Alan and Robin Collins; Matt and Dorothy Laymon; Charles and Sandy Bernhard; Cory Thomas; Denese Gentry; Harriet Williams; Michelle Brown; and Mike and Wenonah Resha.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies, and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. Currently, the March of Dimes has more than $935,000 invested in Alabama community programs and research projects. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org.
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