Kushner receives Birkenfeld award

Published 11:07 pm Friday, September 18, 2009

Island resident Ed Kushner was rewarded for his community service Friday night when he was given the C. Keith Birkenfeld Humanitarian Award, which is presented annually by the Bainbridge Community Foundation.

Kushner designated 25,000 in grants to five nonprofits as part of the award – $5,000 each to Helpline House, the Housing Resources Board, the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, the Bainbridge-Otempe Sister Island Association and the Marge Williams Office Center.

Kushner was chosen from 30 nominations from across Kitsap County. The award is given to a resident of Kitsap County who exemplifies the best in volunteer service, leadership and commitment to the community. Award recipients must be a non-salaried volunteer, not a person who is performing a job for which he or she is paid. The foundation conducted the selection process and kept all nominations confidential.

“Ed is a living example of a humanitarian award recipient,” said foundation President Tom Croker. “His compassion for others, his hands-on/can-do attitude, and his ability to lead is a combination that has benefited so many in our community. His volunteer work for so many organizations has literally touched thousands of residents.”