Apple Tree Award

The APPLE Tree Award is given to the affiliate whose Board of Directors and president/CEO have demonstrated outstanding support and leadership of the education and training program of their affiliate.  Mr. Raff was presented the award during the awards luncheon at the national conference in Washington, D.C.  Nominated by Sonia Blackiston, director of education and training, Mr. Raff and the board are praised for their support in taking the fledgling education department from a one-person (part-time) operation to two full-time staff and two interns a semester in less than two years.  Sonia also cites Mr. Raff's support of continuing education for staff. Sending educators to conferences is no small feat for an affiliate on the most isolated island chain in the world, but getting staff to these gatherings is treated as a priority.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) honored exceptional affiliates, staff members, and volunteers for their important contributions to health care, family planning and education services, and reproductive rights at the annual Affiliate Excellence and Volunteer Awards luncheon held on March 28, 2008.  The ceremony, held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Virginia, featured PPFA President Cecile Richards.

“The members of the Planned Parenthood family are the heart and soul of the reproductive health care movement,” said PPFA President Cecile Richards. “Their commitment to providing access to affordable reproductive health care and family planning services demonstrates their sheer dedication to the women, teens and families in their communities across the nation.” Richards gave the keynote address at the award ceremony.