Contact: Silvia Garcia or Amy Johnson
sgarcia@cfcaa.org
ajohnson@cfcaa.org
352-378-2168

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (May 27, 2008)- Central Florida Community Action Agency is proud to announce that Charles J. Harris Jr. has been named Florida Association for Community Action’s Volunteer of the Year for 2008.

The Volunteer of the Year Award distinguishes exceptional individuals, organizations or businesses whose voluntary service and contributions have had a significant impact on Florida’s low-income communities.  In order to be considered, the nominee must have contributed funding, personnel, materials or service resources to the organization.    

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” Harris said.  “Although the award is a single award, it represents the entire staff of CFCAA.”

Harris was nominated by the staff of CFCAA for his persistent commitment to keep the promise of community action, “helping people, changing lives.”  

“His can do spirit made him the ideal recipient for the award,” Robert W. Wilford, chief executive officer, said.  “Harris, having faced several personal and organizational obstacles, still managed to go above and beyond the call of duty.” 

He has been a faithful member of CFCAA’s team for more than 10 years, and has served as the Chair of CFCAA’s Board of Directors for three of those years.  In the past year, Mr. Harris restructured the Board of Directors and selected a new chief executive officer for the organization during an especially difficult transition for the agency.  Even in the midst of hardships, Mr. Harris smiled in the face of adversity.  He truly believes that CFCCA can win the “War on Poverty” in Alachua, Levy and Marion counties, the three areas the agency serves.

Charles J. Harris Jr. is the Knight Division director in the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida, and he serves as an adviser for the Journalism and Communications College Council, the Association of Black Communicators and the Journalism and Communications Ambassadors in the college.

He also serves on the Board of Advisers for the Gainesville Guardian and on the Board of Directors for the Role Models Foundation.

Central Florida Community Action Agency is a private, nonprofit community-based organization that is committed to helping people strengthen their lives through community partnerships.  CFCAA is dedicated to reduce poverty and help low-income individuals become self-sufficient in Central Florida. For more information visit its website, www.cfcaa.org.

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