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MIT President Honors Leaders for Community Service

Place: The President's House, 111 Memorial Drive
Day: Tuesday, November 21, 1995
Time: 5:00 - 6:30 PM

Leaders of the Salvation Army and sports for youth in Cambridge will be honored at a special reception Tuesday at the home of MIT President and Mrs. Charles M. Vest. Attending the ceremony will be Cambridge Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves and Cambridge City Councilor Anthony Galluccio, along with over one hundred members of the MIT and Cambridge communities.

The MIT President's Award for Community Service will be given to Cambridge Salvation Army Captains Stephen and Betzann Carroll, and veteran youth soccer and football coach Vaughn Crayton, an engineering assistant in the MIT Physical Plant Department, in recognition of their volunteer and leadership activities in the Cambridge community.

The Carrolls have dedicated a lifetime of service to the Salvation Army. Together they have contributed thirty-three years of experience as Captains in the Salvation Army, and since 1991, have served as Core Officers for the Cambridge Chapter. Under their guidance and leadership, the Cambridge Salvation Army serves 196,000 meals each year; provides a day care center aiding over 100 homeless children annually; operates a men's shelter with 50 beds, a seniors program and a medical clinic; and assists 200 people daily at their drop-in center.

"This is the season when everyone becomes aware of the Salvation Army's work through their bell-ringing appeals, but this award recognizes the Salvation Army's work through all seasons," commented President Vest.

For the past sixteen years, Vaughn Crayton has been reaching out to more than 900 Cambridge youths as both a coach and referee in the Cambridge Youth Soccer League, and most recently, as a coach in the Cambridge Pop Warner Football League. During each autumn and spring season, Vaughn has devoted countless hours of his time and energy to providing healthy recreational opportunities for neighborhood children in Cambridge.

"Cambridge is a better place for our children because of Vaughn Crayton. He is an outstanding role model for our youth who need strong teachers, counselors, and coaches to look up to in today's society, now more than ever," observed President Vest.

The recipients were chosen on the basis of their tireless and steadfast dedication to enhancing educational and personal development opportunities for Cambridge youth, and as a result of their unselfish giving of time, talent and resources to enhance the quality of life in Cambridge neighborhoods.

President Vest established Cambridge Community Service Day in 1994 to recognize the strong spirit of volunteerism and community service in Cambridge and at MIT. As part of this annual event, President Vest presents the MIT President's Community Service Awards.

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