5 people, one organization get humanitarian awards

The Richmond Chapter of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities honored five people and a local organization last night for their humanitarian contributions to the community.

They were recognized at the 47th annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner at the Richmond Marriott.

The Humanitarian Award for 2009 went to Viola O. Baskerville, the Virginia secretary of administration; Peter J. Bernard, the chief executive officer for Bon Secours Richmond Health System Inc.; Hugh F. Gouldthorpe Jr., senior vice president for quality and communications at Owens & Minor Inc., a Mechanicsville-based medical-products distributor; and Alexander Lebenstein, a Richmond author and Holocaust survivor.

Allix B. James, president emeritus of Virginia Union University, received the inaugural Jeffrey B. Spence Award for Interfaith Understanding.

St. Joseph's Villa accepted the Distinguished Merit Citation. The Henrico County nonprofit organization provides educational, residential and day programs to families dealing with autism, homelessness, or physical and mental disabilities or behaviors.

The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities conducts programs across the state to promote diversity.

-- Juan Antonio Lizama