Charlotte, N.C. (April 29, 2009) – The World Affairs Council of Charlotte will present the World Citizen Award to the Carolinas Freedom Foundation, founded by Col. Col. Quincy Collins, Jr., USAF (Ret.) on Thursday, May 7, at The Westin Charlotte.

The Carolinas Freedom Foundation was established in 1995 through an initiative by former prisoner of war and retired Air Force Colonel J. Quincy Collins, Jr., along with Mayor Richard Vinroot, former Mayor John Belk and a blue ribbon committee of prominent citizens. The organization serves to support military personnel and their families in addition to promoting patriotism and engaged citizenry.

There are more than 120,000 military families living in North Carolina. In addition, North Carolina is the fourth largest number of military personnel in the nation and home to six major military installations with more than 30,000 National Guard and Reserve members living throughout the state.

Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, Commander of the 18th Airborne Corps will speak on the value, importance, and impact of support to the military and their families by civic and community organizations such as the Carolinas Freedom Foundation and Sloan Gibson, President and CEO of USO will speak on the importance of local groups like the Carolinas Freedom Foundation in supporting all that USO does. As part of the Shelton Leadership Initiative, Rear Admiral Ralph E. Suggs, USN (Ret.) will talk about the importance of leadership.

Established in 1990, the World Citizen Award is presented to honor a prominent citizen or organization with accomplishments and achievements of international significance. Recent recipients of the award include Dr. Francis Robicsek, Chairman of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Carolinas Medical Center, Jerry Richardson, owner of the Carolina Panthers, Erskine and Crandall Bowles, and Graham Allison.

Tickets are available at $ 150 (dinner) and $ 200 (VIP reception and dinner). Detailed information regarding the World Citizen Award Dinner is available on www.worldaffairscharlotte.org or call 704-687-7762.

ABOUT WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF CHARLOTTE - The World Affairs Council of Charlotte is a non-profit, non-partisan organization supported by contributions from individuals, corporate members, and foundations. By serving as a regional center for education and discussion of world affairs, WACC seeks to provide leadership for global thinking, believing that a broad perspective is necessary for effective competition in the global economy and for responsible citizenship in an increasingly interdependent political world.
 

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