The Sunday, November 11th concert by the Richard Williams Trio and Wanda Taylor will recognize the Louis Coiner Leadership Award winner, Caroline Smith.
The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge will sponsor the free 3 pm concert at the Highland Center.
"The Foundation," according to Dan Layman, President and CEO, "wants to give the residents of Highland County an opportunity to participate in recognizing Caroline for her community leadership."
The Louis Coiner Leadership Award was established by the Foundation in 2002. According to Layman, "The award is to recognize residents of Staunton and Waynesboro and the counties of Augusta, Highland and Nelson who have distinguished themselves through their exemplary history of altruism and community leadership, particularly by advancing the community's charitable interest."
Caroline Smith is the third recipient in the sixteen years history of the award. Smith was presented with the award at the June 5th meeting of the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge. The November 11 event is the first public recognition of her award.
Betty Mitchell, Executive Director of the Highland Center, said in her nomination of Smith for the award, "Caroline's impact to the community is multi-faceted, broad and deep. She supports infrastructure projects that create opportunities for many and gives her time to others, personally encouraging them in their growth."
Jason Canze, president of the Highland County Arts Council, seconded Mitchell's assessment of Smith's community involvement. "We are very pleased to use our November 11 concert to recognize of our board member and treasurer, Caroline Smith. She has been crucial to the success of the Council as well as to many other community organizations."
As part of the award, the Foundation has set aside $10,000 to be given to the nonprofit organizations selected by Smith. The grants will be presented at the end of the 3 pm concert.
The concert will be the second time that the Richard Williams Trio has performed at the Highland Center. This time the trio will be joined by vocalist Wanda Taylor. The Trio is supported by a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The concert is free, but donations will gratefully be accepted and used for the work of the Highland County Arts Council.