Best of Humankind Awards Show

Best of Animalkind – Sponsored by PetSmart Charities

Victoria Curtis

Victoria Curtis’ original mission was to create her town’s first off-leash dog park. But a meeting with 4Paws2Freedom founder, Terry Sandhoff, changed her focus. Victoria was amazed at the difference a dog made in the life of a Disabled American Veteran with Post Traumatic Stress and other disabilities. So, in 2014, she established the Healing Heroes program and built a special needs” area inside the dog park for service dog training. Since its inception, Healing Heroes has raised more than $200,000 and given some 250 veterans the opportunity to receive service dog training with 4Paws2Freedom.

Best of Militarykind

Kanwar Singh

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Kanwar Singh considers his hair and turban an essential part of his religious faith as a Sikh. However, U.S. military rules stated that he’d have to cut his hair and remove his turban to serve. But Kanwar was undeterred. For nearly two years, he went above and beyond to encourage the armed forces to accommodate the religious practices of all service members. Now, due to his perseverance, thousands of U.S military personnel can serve their country while still retaining important parts of their spiritual identity.

Best of Womankind

Shreyaa Venkat

Shreyaa Venkat is an 18-year-old sophomore at Georgetown University, where she majors in global health. She’s also the co-founder and CEO of the philanthropic teen-led nonprofit platform, NEST4US. Shreyaa’s activism focuses on sustainability, quality education, leadership, and kindness. The teenager has spent thousands of hours contributing to the 12+ United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by tackling various societal issues. These include zero hunger, poverty, and climate action. In just five years, her organization’s family of volunteers has grown to more than 2,000 people of all ages and backgrounds.

Best of Sportskind

Nicole Rutigaliano

Nicole Rutigaliano felt isolated and lonely when the pandemic hit. Like many, the 51-year-old craved more human interaction than video calls could provide. So, once people began to get vaccinated, she decided to start a 40’s and older kickball team with some of her female friends. But the response to the weekly get-together was so overwhelming that she ended up creating a whole league! Today, more than 100 women take part in the “Not In The Face” Kickball League, in which women have get the chance to exercise, make new friends, and feel less alone.

Best of Earthkind

Sara Stewart – WINNER

Sara Stewart is the inspiration behind The Unity Gardens in South Bend, Indiana. This nonprofit free pick garden aims to improve community health by increasing the accessibility to fruits and vegetables and promoting education on nutrition, food preparation, and sustainability. However, it’s become so much more than a garden. Sara has created a culture of caring in her community, as the gardens provide food for anyone in need and bring diverse people and businesses together to grow, harvest, share, and eat healthy food.

Humankind Educator of the Year

Pierre-Carly LaFaille

Pierre-Carly LaFaille made a lasting impact on all 150,000 students in her 236-school district during the pandemic. When campuses shut down during spring break, Pierre-Carly canceled her plans and created a free hotline for families and students to reach out for virtual learning assistance. But she soon found that the tools and applications that would help the most for virtual learning were not accessible to most students and families needing help. So, she reached out to the vendors of online learning applications and asked for district-wide donations and funding. The result was a war chest of around $1,000,000 with which to continue her work.

Humankind Healthcare Worker of the Year

Dr. Tamatha Fenster – WINNER

Dr. Tamatha Fenster is a gynecological surgeon who was reassigned to the ICU during the first wave of the Covid pandemic. Seeing patients die from the virus, unable to have family or friends at their bedside, prompted Dr. Fenster to create an innovative communication device so that dying patients could hear the voices of their loved ones and religious figures while they took their last breaths. The device, called “Voice Love,” allows people to communicate from anywhere in the world, bringing solace to critically ill patients under quarantine. It is free to all, as they believe patient connection to clergy, loved ones and friends is a fundamental right.

Humankind Triumph of the Year

Yuri Williams

Yuri Williams is the founder of A Future Superhero and Friends. After losing his mother to cancer in 2009, he came up with the idea of helping the underserved in his community. His goal was to feed the elderly, children, veterans, and those without homes. He’s since expanded his mission, visiting sick children dressed as Spiderman, and attending events like blood drives, movie nights, and toy drives around the country, helping at least one person in all 50 states.

Humankind Act of Kindness Caught on Video

Sonam Singye

Sonam Singye didn’t hesitate when he came upon a fellow delivery man with a flat tire. He instantly lent the stranger his own moped, which allowed him to complete his two deliveries. The two men didn’t even exchange cellphone numbers, but the moped was returned safe and sound, and the whole act of kindness was caught on camera.

Humankind Person of the Year

Rene LaBerge

Rene D. LaBerge is the inspiration behind the South Burlington Dolphins Youth Football Program in Vermont. Through football, he’s taught young people the importance of teamwork, sacrifice, hard work, and perseverance for 55 years. But perhaps his greatest impact on the lives of the Dolphin players has been off the field, where he’s always ready with advice, encouragement, or a sympathetic ear. He’s even provided a temporary home for some players who were struggling with life issues. And his kindness and understanding have reaped rich rewards, as several former Dolphin players have gone on to become coaches in colleges and high schools.

Humankind Viewer’s Choice Award

Mark James – WINNER

Mark James is a Corrections Deputy at Florida Sheriff’s Office. He’s also a youth football coach and a mentor. His mentoring program is called Nu Nation of Men, in which he teaches young men the skills that will empower and sustain them throughout life. These include social skills, anger management, conflict resolution, hygiene, health & nutrition, accountability, and recreation.