Big Names, Local Heroes Win Philanthropy Awards

From a generous energy tycoon to a teen girl swimming for change, the AFP Awards for Philanthropy Banquet honored those dedicated to social change through philanthropy efforts on last night at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina.

The banquet recognized honorees that demonstrated tireless commitment to charities by dedicating financial support, volunteering, development and leadership.

T. Boone Pickens, founder of Mesa Petroleum and BP Capital, won the Paschal-Murray Award for Outstanding Philanthropist, the AFP’s top philanthropy award. The AFP Dallas Chapter nominated Pickens for giving more than $500 million for philanthropic causes both personally and through the T. Boone Pickens Foundation.

His contributions have helped numerous causes, including health and medical research, education, athletics and fitness, conservation and children at risk. He contributed $165 million in 2005 to Oklahoma State University, his alma mater, in the biggest gift to college athletics.

He was the second caller to the American Red Cross after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and donated $7 million, the largest individual contribution to the organization.

Robert S. Murley, chairman of investment banking for the Americas at Credit Suisse in Chicago, was awarded the 2008 Ketchum Award for Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser.

Murley has taken on leadership roles at several organizations and dedicates his time fundraising for causes he believes in. Murley chairs the Finance Committee for the Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago -- an institution that took care of his children when they were born prematurely.

He co-chairs the Heroes for Life campaign -- a $600 million campaign to build a hospital facility in Chicago, which the hospital’s board contributed more than $115 million.

Murley also serves as the director of the Princeton University Investment Company that handles the university’s $15 billion endowment. He is the only volunteer to receive all four major Annual Giving awards that his alma mater presents each year.  

Emily Schreiber, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age nine, won the 2008 Changing Our World/Simms Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy in the age category 5-17 for her work with Laps for CF. Schreiber swam 65 laps in the 2003 event, just weeks after her diagnosis, and raised $60,000 that helped support several cystic fibrosis foundations.

“Raising money and awareness for cystic fibrosis is the most gratifying thing I have done and I could not have done any of it without so many people’s help and support,” said Schrieber, who called the award “an honor.”

Schreiber, who lives in Birmingham, Va., and her father are now a part of the organization’s board of directors.

The same award in the ages 18-23 category went to Shin Fujiyama, who founded Students Helping Honduras (SHH) in 2004, an organization of college students that raised funds to sustain poor villages and an orphanage named Copprome in Honduras. 

The recent graduate of the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va. helped 250-student volunteers visit the country and plans to open more chapters across college campuses.

“One minute spent with Shin makes you want to get involved with his cause,” said Paulette V. Maehara, CFRE, CAE, president and CEO of AFP. “His zeal is infectious.”