BREMERTON — Kitsap Community Foundation has chosen Kitsap County’s annual philanthropy award recipients from the pool of public nominations received during their annual nominating process.

Harriette Bryant, chair of the Foundation’s Board, announced the Foundation’s 2015 philanthropy award winners.

“These are individuals who have given a lot of themselves to our community,” Bryant said.  “I am delighted that we will honor these people and this business during the Kitsap County Celebration of Philanthropy on May 15. I hope the public will join us that night to help honor these well-deserved award recipients.”

Ray and Charlotte Garrido are receiving the “Kitsap County Spirit of Philanthropy Award” presented this year as the “C. Keith Birkenfeld Humanitarian Award.”

This award honors an individual, couple, or family who exhibits a deep commitment and heartfelt dedication to philanthropy in Kitsap County.  According to the Foundation, Ray and Charlotte are clearly such individuals.  For 40 years, the Garridos have been active citizens in Kitsap, given generously to diverse nonprofits throughout Kitsap County, including Kitsap Adult Center for Education, Dispute Resolution Center, and Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center.

Diane Landry is receiving the “Outstanding Citizen Award.”

This award honors an individual who has a proven history of giving generously of his or her time to local nonprofit organizations that benefit our community.  In short, this award honors an outstanding volunteer. The Foundation received a flood of letters supporting Diane Landry for this award. As the coordinator of Zero Waste, an initiative of the nonprofit organization Sustainable Bainbridge, Landry has helped to change the conscience of Bainbridge Island with her passion for reduce, reuse, and recycle. It is clear she inspires others to get involved in environmental sustainability.

This award honors a for-profit business in Kitsap County that has a proven track record of making a positive difference in our community. Owners Carter and Tori Dotson and Mike Pitts lead a company culture that values supporting local nonprofits.  In addition to giving time and treasure directly to scores of local nonprofits, each agent at Windermere Real Estate donates a portion of their commission to support the Windermere Foundation, which helps a large number of local nonprofits.

A few examples of causes they regularly support include: Y’s Kids, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Annual Food Drives for each local Food Bank in Kitsap County, Bremerton and Kitsap Friends of Children’s Guild Annual Kid’s Art Show, Kitsap Friends of Children’s Rock The Cure, and Windermere’s Annual Make a Difference Day.

The foundation announced the creation of a new award this year: The Nonprofit Achievement Award. Linda Joyce will receive the “Exceptional Nonprofit Service Award.”

This award honors someone who has done exceptional work furthering and facilitating the success of one or more Kitsap nonprofits.

The Foundation Board of Directors feel that Linda Joyce is the perfect inaugural recipient of this award. Joyce began her career in social work, working with domestic violence survivors, and in 1994 began her tenure at YWCA. During that time she has been one of the key components to growing the YWCA to an organization with multiple programs that provide services for more than 6,000 people in Kitsap each year.

The Foundation announced that the award recipients were chosen through an open, public process.  In particular, the Foundation invited and encouraged anyone in the public to make nominations for these awards.  The Foundation’s Celebration of Philanthropy Planning Committee, which is composed of volunteer community members, then reviewed the nominations submitted by the public and made recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

The physical awards that will be given on May 15 to the recipients are unique pieces of glass art being made by Lisa Stirrett Glass Art Studio. The Kitsap County Celebration of Philanthropy is open to the public.

“We hope that members of the public will join us on May 15 to help honors these award recipients,” stated Kol Medina, the Foundation’s executive director.  “During the event, we will also honor nonprofits doing good work in the community, our 2014 scholarship and grant recipients, and enjoy a keynote speech by former Seattle Mariner, Jamie Moyer and his wife Karen.”

More information can be found at www.kitsapfoundation.org.