ToolBank USA held its annual National Awards on Thursday, November 16 at The Park RVA, next door neighbor to the Richmond ToolBank. The National Awards program recognizes ToolBank affiliates, board members, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who help the network thrive and fulfill its mission. Staff from ToolBank USA and the Richmond ToolBank along with Ace Callwood, Director at Envoy, hosted an in-person event along with a live broadcast of the program to the eight ToolBanks across the US. Watch parties were hosted at a number of the affiliates’ locations, and during the program they were remoted into to recognize winners that were not able to the join in-person event. Despite some minor technically issues…the program was a huge success! And we had a great live addition of Bill & Trey’s Wild Adventures.
The Charlotte ToolBank took home the night’s most coveted award, the Golden Hammer for ToolBank of the Year and a $2,500 grant from ToolBank USA. This award was created to recognize outstanding performance and/or accomplishments of an affiliate who exemplified the mission of the ToolBank by supporting their member agencies and partners. In a coordinated effort, the board, staff and volunteers worked together to fulfill a need in their community to provide the right tools, training, and/or conduit to get it done. One of the determining factors for winning this award comes in the form of testimonials from the winner’s member agencies.
ToolBank USA handed out eight additional awards throughout the evening that included:
🛠️ ToolBank Affiliate of the Year ” Golden Hammer Winner: CHARLOTTE TOOLBANK
💪 Wilkenson Millenary Volunteer Award Winners: Stephanie Eaddy (Baltimore) & Linda Rincon (Houston)
👩💼 Rupert Barkoff Exemplary Affiliate Director Award Winner: Jessica Pohto (Windy City)
💙 Dan Webber Brand Ambassador Award Winner: Nancey Farrington (Phoenix)
💻 Bobby Mason Award for Technology Innovation: Atlanta ToolBank & Charlotte ToolBank
🏆 ToolBanker for Life: Jon Howland (Stanley Black & Decker)
Along with all of the awards that were handed out, each ToolBank affiliate submitted a video that highlighted “ONE BIG THING.” These videos gave our affiliates the chance to showcase an exciting project or addition to their ToolBanks. ToolBank USA compiled a number of overview videos for ToolBank Disaster Services and videos that highlighted project with our corporate partners at UPS, The Home Depot Foundation, and Grainger.
We would like to thank everyone who was able to join us in-person and via livestream. The ToolBank USA team looks forward to continuing this tradition of the National Awards for many years to come…because there are so many great individuals and groups doing amazing things across the nation in our always expanding network!
