Virginia McKnight Binger Awards Honor Outstanding Minnesotans

The McKnight Foundation recognized 11 Minnesotans with long records of service to their communities with the 2005 Virginia McKnight Binger Awards in Human Service.

The $7,000 awards honor Minnesota residents who give their time to improve the lives of people in their communities. This year's recipients are a Somali community builder, a preservationist of Dakota heritage, a teacher of Islam, a peacemaker, a health advocate, a crusader for homeless youth, a benefactor and scholarship-maker, a married couple volunteering at homeless and women's shelters, a champion for youth multicultural arts, and an innovator in teaching work ethics.

"It's difficult to fathom the true value of the combined hours these awardees have donated to Minnesota's communities," said Erika L. Binger, chair of the foundation. "These people have found unique and important ways to make significant differences in the lives of others. We are proud to tell their stories, in recognition of all Minnesotans working to build communities and strengthen our state."

Said Salah Ahmed of Minneapolis uses his gift for words and theater to speak to the hearts of Somali people. A former refugee, Said is an educator and mentor, dedicated to mobilizing, educating, and reflecting on the rich tradition of Somalis around the world. As president of the Somali Action Alliance, he strives for peace, reconciliation, and an end to discrimination.

Linda Brown of Mendota Heights works to rekindle the traditions of the Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota community. With her late husband, Bob Brown, Linda established a genealogy database and Dakota language and cultural classes, and helped preserve historic Dakota sites. Linda also assists veterans, and has helped organize World Peace and Prayer Day in the Black Hills.

Wafiq Fannoun of Minneapolis is dedicated to changing lives and awakening individuals' potentials through the teachings of Islam. Several times each week, Wafiq visits juvenile detention facilities and prisons to help rebuild lives and strengthen the faith of Muslim inmates. Wafiq also speaks at local high schools and churches to correct negative misconceptions about Islam.

Melvin Giles of St. Paul is the founder of Peaceful Love Warriors, which plants "peace poles" in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Red Wing, and other Minnesota towns. The eight-foot posts are inscribed in four languages with a simple hope: "May Peace Prevail on Earth." Melvin organizes peace celebrations to unite neighborhoods, and donates dozens of hours each month to work at the Animal Ark shelter.

Ora Hokes of Minneapolis acts to address the alarming health-related risk factors affecting the African American community. Working with her pastor at the Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, she created the Health Sundays program to provide monthly health information to her congregation, focusing on strokes, weight loss, nutrition, sexually transmitted diseases, and exercise.

Beth Holger of Minneapolis has served children and young adults at Avenues for Homeless Youth and the Bridge for Runaway Youth since 1999, and often connects with homeless youth on the streets where they live. In 2004 Beth helped reopen Avenues for Homeless Youth, a homeless and runaway youth shelter. She also works with community organizations dedicated to improving life for homeless youth.

Curtis Levang of Howard Lake helps children and adults who are falling through the cracks to achieve long-term success. Curt helped establish The Sharington Place in Waverly, Minnesota, for at-risk children, as well as a scholarship program through the St. John's Lutheran Church. A former elementary school principal, he established and manages 20 scholarships for students through the PTA.

Larry and Noreen Luck of Fridley serve their community with a spirit of joy and rejuvenation. The Lucks volunteer at St. Stephen's Human Services homeless shelter and Kateri, a residence program for Native American women in recovery. They organize, clean, bake, collect donated items and mend clothes. The Lucks also advocate on behalf of affordable housing and health care for low-income people.

Hedwidge (Hedy) M. Tripp of St. Cloud volunteers to encourage and teach St. Cloud residents how to take an active role in creating their own community. Through her work at the Multicultural Children's Art Connection, she has enriched the social, physical, and cultural development of children of color. Hedy also has provided leadership for the Art Connection as a board member and interim executive director.

Sister Jean Thuerauf of Minneapolis has served children and families on the north side of Minneapolis for 30 years, promoting the virtues of hard work and self-sufficiency. Her Cookie Cart program, founded in the 1970s, continues to teach work ethics to thousands of teens while providing them with jobs. More recently, Sister Jean founded Family Builders to help poor families build financially responsible lives.

The McKnight Foundation has given the awards annually since 1985 to recognize Minnesotans who demonstrate the difference one person can make in helping others. The awards are named for the foundation's former chair and president, Virginia McKnight Binger, who served for nearly 50 years as a board member, as president from 1974 through 1987, and as honorary chair until her death in 2002. Candidates for the award are nominated confidentially by someone familiar with their work.

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