Meet our 2022 Annual Award Winners…

2022 Award

Congratulations to our 2022 Award Winners! 

  • Joseph O. Thomas Volunteer Award goes to Tom Round – For extraordinary volunteer service to Down Syndrome of Louisville.

“Tom’s son Brady was born in 2021 and he has hit the ground running for us! Videos, photographs, and any other media related content we need he has come through with incredible and professional results. We are so grateful!”

  • Diana Merzweiler Commitment Award goes to Katie Zurkuhlen- – For a DSL employee who has made an extraordinary commitment to DSL.

“Katie has taken on a leadership role in so many different areas. She works tirelessly to help everyone!”

“She does everything for everyone all the time. She is always available, always willing to help.”

  • Mary Carter Award goes to Margarita Edelen Outstanding service and contribution resulting in the improvement of the quality of life for people with Down syndrome

“Margarita volunteers weekly at DSL and is always willing to do any task asked of her. Margarita has put labels and pictures on the kitchen cabinets so our members can easily find items at lunchtime. Also, along with organizing several areas at DSL, she has helped the development team with fundraising tasks, helped staff prepare for programs, and has covered the front desk on many occasions. She does all this every Tuesday and then stays after hours to help with Book Club and Boogie Down practice. She is truly a blessing and an asset to DSL.”

“She is here in the building every Tuesday helping out in any way we need her. Any time we need something fixed through her sewing talents and crafting skills she fixes it. She has helped to label everything in the kitchen with picture words to help members with vocabulary skills. She does a lot.”

  • Citizen’s Award goes to Macy KnightsOutstanding Achievements Enhancing the Value and Dignity of Persons with Down syndrome.

“Macy serves on the BIC committee as a DSL advocate, she also works at the DSL Summer Program, SEE, assisting teachers with children with Down syndrome. She also has a job at Bennet and Bloom as well as the Shine Cafe. Macy is an all around advocate for friends and classmates in the Academy. She is a wonderful example of what it means to be a Kindness Warrior in our community”

  • Youth Volunteer Award goes to Trisha Paily Extraordinary Service to Down Syndrome of Louisville, Inc.

“Trisha took over teaching all of our virtual Bollywood classes when her brother Romith went to college. She is fantastic with our members and they LOVE her class. Thank you, Trisha!”

  • President’s Award goes to Susan Dever The President selects this award to present to a current board member who has gone above and beyond for DSL.

“Susan has been a dedicated Board member for Down Syndrome of Louisville and is consistently giving of her time to our organization and she is often a behind the scenes support who is always willing to listen.”

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