"Idolo Americano"

The Hon Kachina Volunteer Awards - September 2004

http://www.honkachina.org/

Presented in Phoenix, Arizona annually since 1977, the Hon Kachina Volunteer Awards program is designed to both recognize the achievement of outstanding Arizona volunteers and to increase public awareness about volunteerism.

The awards are presented by the Hon Kachina Council and KNXV TV ABC 15. One of the honorees is Raúl S. Monreal, Jr.

The Hon - or healing - Kachina Volunteer Awards program was originally conceived and presented by the Hon Kachina Council to honor people making significant volunteer contributions to the healthcare field. This program is an extension of the rich heritage of volunteerism provided by St. Luke's Medical Center in Phoenix for nearly 100 years.

In 1980, the scope of the program was expanded to include volunteer efforts in all community service areas. That same year, a local television station joined the Hon Kachina Council as a co-sponsor. Again, this year, KNXV TV ABC 15 joins the Hon Kachina Council to co-present this prestigious awards program. In addition, every recipient is filmed and presented as a special vignette on an ABC 15 news program and a 30 minute telecast is produced of the highlights of the black tie awards event.

Since 1996 St. Luke's Health Initiatives has generously underwritten the administrative costs associated with the coordination of this year-long project.

Beginning in 1990, proceeds generated from the event were donated to a deserving non-profit volunteer-based organization. This year the proceeds generated from this event will fund increasing the awareness of volunteerism in Arizona.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2004

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Linda Kaplan, Kaplan Communications, Inc. 480-607-7877 Lindakaplan@cox.net

A 35 YEAR VETERAN OF VOLUNTEERISM IS NAMED A 2004 HON KACHINA VOLUNTEER AWARD RECIPIENT

Raul Monreal, Jr. recognized as top volunteer for 35 years of being "An American Idol" and "giving back for the education he received"

Raúl S. Monreal, Jr. is a magician. He makes ignorance disappear. He makes dreams a reality. Monreal is an international songwriter, school administrator, professor, poet, novelist, reporter, chef, community activist, businessman and motivational speaker. He is also Director of the South Mountain Community College Guadalupe Center. Monreal draws on whatever strengths he can muster to help others achieve their potential.

Monreal has steadfastly served his community for 35 years and assisted thousands of people in a variety of ways including, education, immigration issues, welfare, family issues and health issues; and, through a variety of organizations, such as, City of Phoenix Police Department, Hispanic Advisory Board; League of United Latin American Citizens; Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley, Arizona Area Health Education Centers and Friendly House. He is co-founder of the Hispanic Advisory Council to Dean of Humanities and Sciences at ASU West, Valle del Sol, Chicano Por La Causa, Migrant Opportunity Program, Community Action Network for Paradise Valley Unified School District, Arizona Association of Chicanos for Higher Education, National Hispanic Women's Conference and Phoenix League of United Latin American Citizens.

Monreal grew up in poverty in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. His father abandoned the family when Monreal was very young. A family friend helped him appreciate the need for education and he soon realized education was important to overcoming his impoverished environment. He has since earned three degrees and completed all of his coursework for his Doctorate degree. Monreal abandons no one. Twenty-seven years ago, he helped to incorporate the town of Guadalupe when Tempe wanted to move the Yaqui Indians out of their ancestor's land and build a museum. When the town was acknowledged, he vowed that Guadalupe would have an institution of higher learning. That is now a reality. Following the fatal shooting of a Latino child, Monreal co-founded the Phoenix Police Department Hispanic Advisory Board where he successfully implemented a bilingual 911 and Silent Witness service. Recently, Monreal used his songwriting talents to provide opportunities for Latin American community youths to experience the Arts by creating a successful statewide American Idol Latin-style CD. All of the proceeds go to educational programs for the Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley and scholarships for South Mountain Community College students. Monreal is a leader by example, by action. Monreal is truly an authentic "American Idol."

The Hon Kachina Council is a group of business and professional people, affiliated with St. Luke's Health Initiatives, who promote and support community volunteerism. The Hon Kachina Volunteer Awards recognize outstanding volunteer service and increase public awareness on the importance of volunteering. Each year nine recipients are chosen to receive this prestigious award. This year the Hon Kachina Council and KNXV-TV ABC 15 will present the Hon Kachina Awards on September 18, 2004, at the Camelback Inn Resort and Spa.

HON KACHINA VOLUNTEER AWARDS EVENT

EVENT: 28th Anniversary of Hon Kachina Volunteer Awards Presented by the Hon Kachina Council Sponsored by St. Luke's Health Initiatives

BENEFITING: The Hon Kachina Council ~ Approximately 40 business men and women who inspire volunteerism by recognizing ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things, applauding them and them and presenting them as an example to motivate others to volunteer.


	A 35 YEAR VETERAN OF VOLUNTEERISM IS NAMED A 2004 HON KACHINA VOLUNTEER AWARD RECIPIENT
	Raúl S. Monreal, Jr. recognized as top volunteer for 35 years
The Hon Kachina Volunteer Awards - September 2004 http://www.honkachina.org/ Presented in Phoenix, Arizona annually since 1977, the Hon Kachina Volunteer Awards program is designed to both recognize the achievement of outstanding Arizona volunteers and to increase public awareness about volunteerism. The awards are presented by the Hon Kachina Council and KNXV TV ABC 15. One of the honorees is Raúl S. Monreal, Jr. The Hon - or healing - Kachina Volunteer Awards program was originally conceived and presented by the Hon Kachina Council to honor people making significant volunteer contributions to the healthcare field. This program is an extension of the rich heritage of volunteerism provided by St. Luke's Medical Center in Phoenix for nearly 100 years. In 1980, the scope of the program was expanded to include volunteer efforts in all community service areas. That same year, a local television station joined the Hon Kachina Council as a co-sponsor. Again, this year, KNXV TV ABC 15 joins the Hon Kachina Council to co-present this prestigious awards program. In addition, every recipient is filmed and presented as a special vignette on an ABC 15 news program and a 30 minute telecast is produced of the highlights of the black tie awards event. Since 1996 St. Luke's Health Initiatives has generously underwritten the administrative costs associated with the coordination of this year-long project. Beginning in 1990, proceeds generated from the event were donated to a deserving non-profit volunteer-based organization. This year the proceeds generated from this event will fund increasing the awareness of volunteerism in Arizona. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2004 For more information or to arrange an interview, contact: Linda Kaplan, Kaplan Communications, Inc. 480-607-7877 Lindakaplan@cox.net A 35 YEAR VETERAN OF VOLUNTEERISM IS NAMED A 2004 HON KACHINA VOLUNTEER AWARD RECIPIENT Raul Monreal, Jr. recognized as top volunteer for 35 years of being "An American Idol" and "giving back for the education he received" Raúl S. Monreal, Jr. is a magician. He makes ignorance disappear. He makes dreams a reality. Monreal is an international songwriter, school administrator, professor, poet, novelist, reporter, chef, community activist, businessman and motivational speaker. He is also Director of the South Mountain Community College Guadalupe Center. Monreal draws on whatever strengths he can muster to help others achieve their potential. Monreal has steadfastly served his community for 35 years and assisted thousands of people in a variety of ways including, education, immigration issues, welfare, family issues and health issues; and, through a variety of organizations, such as, City of Phoenix Police Department, Hispanic Advisory Board; League of United Latin American Citizens; Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley, Arizona Area Health Education Centers and Friendly House. He is co-founder of the Hispanic Advisory Council to Dean of Humanities and Sciences at ASU West, Valle del Sol, Chicano Por La Causa, Migrant Opportunity Program, Community Action Network for Paradise Valley Unified School District, Arizona Association of Chicanos for Higher Education, National Hispanic Women's Conference and Phoenix League of United Latin American Citizens. Monreal grew up in poverty in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. His father abandoned the family when Monreal was very young. A family friend helped him appreciate the need for education and he soon realized education was important to overcoming his impoverished environment. He has since earned three degrees and completed all of his coursework for his Doctorate degree. Monreal abandons no one. Twenty-seven years ago, he helped to incorporate the town of Guadalupe when Tempe wanted to move the Yaqui Indians out of their ancestor's land and build a museum. When the town was acknowledged, he vowed that Guadalupe would have an institution of higher learning. That is now a reality. Following the fatal shooting of a Latino child, Monreal co-founded the Phoenix Police Department Hispanic Advisory Board where he successfully implemented a bilingual 911 and Silent Witness service. Recently, Monreal used his songwriting talents to provide opportunities for Latin American community youths to experience the Arts by creating a successful statewide American Idol Latin-style CD. All of the proceeds go to educational programs for the Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley and scholarships for South Mountain Community College students. Monreal is a leader by example, by action. Monreal is truly an authentic "American Idol." The Hon Kachina Council is a group of business and professional people, affiliated with St. Luke's Health Initiatives, who promote and support community volunteerism. The Hon Kachina Volunteer Awards recognize outstanding volunteer service and increase public awareness on the importance of volunteering. Each year nine recipients are chosen to receive this prestigious award. This year the Hon Kachina Council and KNXV-TV ABC 15 will present the Hon Kachina Awards on September 18, 2004, at the Camelback Inn Resort and Spa. HON KACHINA VOLUNTEER AWARDS EVENT EVENT: 28th Anniversary of Hon Kachina Volunteer Awards Presented by the Hon Kachina Council Sponsored by St. Luke's Health Initiatives BENEFITING: The Hon Kachina Council ~ Approximately 40 business men and women who inspire volunteerism by recognizing ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things, applauding them and them and presenting them as an example to motivate others to volunteer.