NDCA COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
This award is given in recognition to an individual’s contribution to his or her community through dance. As ambassadors of dance, their efforts have helped improve the lives of people around them.

Sarah Lototskyy - 2021
For dedication through the DYNASTY STARS for those with special needs by building self-confidence and learning to move to music all the while inspiring creativity and self-expression by nurturing enjoyment in a safe and caring community.

John Nyemchek - 2019
For dedication through roll call wheelchair dance by bringing the joy of partner dance to individuals of all ages in wheelchairs and with movement disorders.

Mayo Alanen - 2017
For dedication through competing for a cause to create a community of athletes who amplify their achievements by aiding the less fortunate.

Anna Shahbazyan - 2016
Early childhood education with an equal focus on both mental and physical development, plays a vital part in a child's development.
Anna teaches Autism children ballroom dancing and the linkage of art and expression enhances imagination and takes away rigidity.

Ian Folker - 2015
"It is all about passion, ideas and living the life in a way that brings you joy every single day" Ian Folker.
One of Ian's passion is building school in Cambodia and teaching the joy of dance.

Brian L Wells - 2012
The NDCA is proud to present the 2012 community service awards to Brian L Wells.  Brian has continually inspired hospital, hospice and senior center residents with theatrical performances that show the elegance of ballroom dances as well as the playfulness and humor of dance theatre. Brian is an excellent role model for the dance community and a worthy recipient of the NDCA Community Service Award and treasures the recognition of his peers for this outstanding dedication.

Warren Tuttle - 2011
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD 2011
Warren is the perfect recipient for this recognition award, being a dancer who does more than ‘give back’ to the greater Atlanta community. Through running dances, classes and similar dance related endeavors, Warren raises money for his pet project, the “Happy Club.”
Happy Club is for mentally challenged people, many of whom are low functioning and unable to live in general society. Warren’s efforts have resulted in the spread of Happy Clubs to four locations in the Greater Atlanta area and Warren, with help from his wife Pat, funds all of the monthly Happy Club activities, such as renting buses and taking a group to the movies, to go bowling, to Stone Mountain theme park, the zoo, the aquarium, to anything that Warren can think of to, as Warren puts it, “put a little joy in these folks lives.” Annually he takes a caravan of buses to Florida for a long weekend at the beach; it’s the highlight of the Happy Club members’ year.

Dancers Cup Tour - 2010
The 2010 Community Service Award was presented to the Dancers Cup Tour for their work in raising funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society. Funds were raised through Pink Ribbon Events, Silent Auctions and donations at each of the Dancers Cup Tour events.
Over $50,000 was raised during 2009.
Congratulations to the Dancers Cup Tour. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Lisa Vogel – 2009
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD 2009
The National Dance Council of America is proud to present LISA VOGEL with the National Dance Council of America 2009 Community Service Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution each year to the Emmanuel Ministries in Mexico through her teaching of dance to children who come from disadvantaged situations.

Sandra Fortuna - 2007
The NDCA Community Service Award was presented to Sandra Fortuna for her contribution to Wheelchair Dancing in the United States.  Sandra has dedicated her time and expertise to developing syllabi for social and competitive wheelchair dancing.
(Presented by 1st VP of NDCA Judi Hatton and inscription read by Brian Puttock)

Pierre Dulaine – 2005

Terry Henes – 2003
The NDCA Community Service Award was presented to Terry Henes for her wonderful philanthropic and civic activities.  Terry hosts a social event once a month for the City of Boca Raton.  It is a voluntary program known as “Dancing Under the Stars” and attracts literally hundreds of residents who enjoy dancing and wonderful music.  She also developed a program for a Senior Center with her own choreographed chair exercises to music plus line dances, all done at no charge.  Before moving to Florida, while residing in Long Island, NY, Terry taught for the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus and ran cotillion classes.  In Florida, she has received awards from Palm Beach County, the City of Delray Beach and May 4th has been designated as “Terry Henes Day” by the Mayors of Deerfield and Boca Raton.

Carrie Babcock – 2002
The NDCA Community Service Award was presented to Carrie Babcock for her outstanding contribution to the community through her donation of dance lessons to Girl Scout Troops and School classes.
Of particular note was her commitment to a 31 year old Autistic man who has now learned to dance.

Gunnar Johnson – 2001
The NDCA Community Service Award was presented to Gunnar Johnson for his outstanding community service through dance.  In addition to having his students perform in nursing facilities and teaching elementary students to ballroom dance at no charge, he also found time to help at a local soup kitchen at Thanksgiving.  He donated over $20,000 to the Newington Children’s Hospital through the Elks organization by donating monies received from teaching ballroom dancing lessons at his local Elks lodge.
Gunnar and his wife Eileen are past presidents of the Dance Educators of America, Inc.

Susan Suchocki - 2001
The NDCA Community Service Award was presented to Susan Suchocki  for her work with foster children.  When  children are taken from their home and placed in foster care they very seldom have anything to take with them – not even a suitcase for personal items.  Susan personally donated her own time and money to help rectify this situation, and has worked in the community to gather donations from others.  She utilized her dance competitions, along with partner, Pete Taylor, to gather items and money from the dance community.  Each bag is filled with toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.), a teddy bear and a blanket.  Susan successfully collected and donated hundreds of these “care bags” for the children.