Industry Leaders Honored While Raising Funds for Healthier Babies

Over 1,000 guests gathered for the 20^th Annual Transportation, Building & Construction Awards held on Tuesday, March 12 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  This event honors the leaders in both public and private sectors of transportation, building and construction industries.  Over $460,000 was raised to support the lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at giving every baby a healthy start in life. 

The following individuals and projects were honored at today’s ceremonies:

2013 Service to Humanity Awards Recipients: 

Nicholas DeBenedictis, CEO of Aqua America, Inc.;

Daniel Kubik, Business Representative, Operating Engineers Local 542

Congressman Robert Brady, Pennsylvania First Congressional District

The 2013 Philadelphia Project of the Year Award:

                     The Constantine Papadakis Integrated Science Building, Drexel University

           The 2013 Suburban Project of the Year:

SEPTA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Projects

“It is a great privilege to be able to honor these outstanding individuals and projects,” said Jeffrey D. Knueppel, Deputy General Manager of SEPTA and chairperson of the 2013 event.  “What makes this especially meaningful is that through this event, we are building better futures for tomorrow’s babies.”

The honorees were selected by a committee of their peers and honored for their achievement and leadership in their respective professions and for their efforts to promote economic development within Southeastern Pennsylvania.  A.P. Construction, Inc. was the presenting sponsor of this year’s Transportation, Building & Construction Luncheon.

Among the special guests were Vai Sikeman as the afternoon’s Master of Ceremonies and mission speaker Joe Biondo, Chief Investment Advisor of Biondo Investment Advisors.  Mr. Biondo shared his personal connection to the March of Dimes.  His family has been actively involved with the March of Dimes since the loss of their son, Lorenzo, at 24 weeks due to preterm birth. 

Premature birth touches nearly half a million babies and their families every year, including nearly 17,000 in Pennsylvania.  Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities.  Nationally, more than 120,000 babies are born with serious birth defects that can mean a lifetime of disability.  Babies born healthy need champions, too, to ensure they have access to newborn screening and preventive health care. The March of Dimes is there for all babies.

Funds raised by the Transportation, Building and Construction Awards help support prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care units (NICU), family support programs and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies.  Currently, the March of Dimes is investing more than $99 million nationally and $4.5 million in Pennsylvania in research and programs. 

About the March of Dimes

March of Dimes, the leading non-profit organization for maternal and infant health, celebrates its 75^th anniversary in 2013 and its ongoing work to help all babies get a healthy start in life.  The March of Dimes was founded in January 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  A polio sufferer himself, FDR founded the organization to “lead, direct and unify” the fight against polio. Today, about 4 million babies are born in the United States each year and the March of Dimes helps each and every one of them through its history of research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs.  With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebookand follow us on Twitter.