Altruistic advisers honored at gala

More than 450 executives from 50 financial organizations honored the finalists and recipients of the second annual Community Leadership Awards last night at the Hilton Hotel in New York. The awards, in four categories, were presented by the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation and InvestmentNews to honor financial advisers who have made outstanding charitable contributions. Winner of the Mentoring Excellence Award was Marc Turner, president and owner of Renaissance Advisory Group in Chester Springs, Pa., who was recognized for 16 years of work with at-risk youths at the Church Farm School in Paoli, Pa. “I used basketball as a carrot to get young people to learn teamwork, discipline, perseverance and character,” said Mr. Turner. "Although they might not have realized it at the time, the most rewarding aspect for me is hearing stories of the young men as they grow up to be productive members of society,” he said. The Volunteer of the Year Award went to Richard England, Jr., a senior wealth adviser at Madison Wealth Management in Bethesda, Md. He has served as a mentor to homeless youths through the Latin American Youth Center in Washington for 15 years and has been treasurer of the center’s board for the last 10. Mr. England is also a leading donor to the organization. “The people who come to us have no money,” he said. “They're in a strange country. They don’t know anybody. We are their families.” Winner of the Volunteer Team Award was Frank Martin and team of Martin Capital Management LLP of Elkhart, Ind. Mr. Martin, senior partner at the firm, began mentoring local elementary school students a decade ago, and launched DreamsWork Inc. in 2001 to help underprivileged children. Martin Capital Management has made the mentoring programs flourish, said Jim Bontrager, executive director of DreamsWork, Inc., who accepted the award on Mr. Martin's behalf. “We’ve seen wonderful things happen,” he said. The Community Leadership Award was given to Elizabeth Verterano, a financial adviser in New Wilmington, Pa., for Minneapolis-based Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. As founder of the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County in New Castle, Pa., she has been working to combat domestic violence against women since 1979. “I’ve had the joy of knowing we’ve been able to help women and children have better lives and get out of abusive situations,” Ms. Verterano said. The winners of the Community Leadership Awards will receive $10,000 for their charities from the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation. "Finalists each were to receive $500, but because of their outstanding contributions, the Foundation will increase the award to $2,500," said Kandis Bates, the foundation's president. “Every day, in cities across the country, financial advisers are making a profound impact on their communities — not only through the quality of their professional advice but also through the personal resources they devote to helping others,” she said. “The Community Leadership Awards dinner is a celebration of this philanthropic spirit and those who embody it in their daily lives.” Allianz Global Investors, Legg Mason, Lord Abbett and LPL Financial were Platinum Awards Sponsors of the event, each contributing $35,000.