I attended the 2nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Dream Builders Award Ceremony at Bucks Community Collage.

There were a few other elected officials present including PA State Senator Steve Santarsiero (at left in top panel of collage), U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (at right) - I did not see them exchange pleasantries - Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, and fellow Newtown Supervisor Dennis Fisher.

This year’s honorees are:

• Community Dream Builder — Adrienne King (see #1 panel in collage), founder and president, The PairUP Society,
• Corporate Dream Builder — Dr. Vail Garvin (#2), president & CEO emerita, Bucks County Chamber of Commerce,
• Humanitarian Dream Builder — Karen Downer (#3), president, Bucks County NAACP, and
• Student Dream Builder — Lateefat Adewale (#4), president, Bucks County Community College Student Government Association.

All had very inspiring stories to tell.

President Felicia L. Ganther, J.D., Ph.D., and the Board of Trustees honor four individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to nondiscrimination, regardless of an individual’s station in life. The Dream Builder Award honorees were selected to represent corporate, community, humanitarian and student achievement.

"Acknowledging and honoring individuals from our community is critical to keeping the legacy of DL King alive," Ganther. "Keeping this legacy alive not only educates our community on the aspects of what is necessary to improve the lives of all our county's citizens, it also provides a blueprint for others to follow as they see the great works of those we honor for their service.”

More info about awardees.

The MLK Dream Builder Awards ceremony will be live-streamed at 9 a.m. Thursday, February 24, at bucks.edu: https://www.bucks.edu/discover/diversity/events/mlkdreambuilderawards/

[Image: Chief Forsyth presented Gundy with a plaque recognizing his quarter of a century of service to the Newtown Emergency Services Department. Gundy was among the first career firefighters hired by the township 25 years ago.]

Longtime Newtown firefighter John Gundy Jr. was recognized on Sept. 22 at the board of supervisors meeting for his exemplary service to the community.

After 25 years with the township, Grundy retired from the Newtown Emergency Services Department in August to take on the job of Bucks County Chief Fire Marshal.