The Wilbur Hobbs Award
Wilbur Hobbs, a founding member of Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth and a dedicated advocate for children, was killed in a car accident in 1993 at the age of 71. Wilbur was an irreplaceable member of the PCCY Board, serving as consultant and advisor on everything from state regulations to the best kind of wine for the annual Super Party. His gifts included a full-time sense of humor and a total freedom from self-righteousness.
Highlights of Wilbur’s career include serving as the Deputy Commissioner for Children and Youth for the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare and later as Deputy for the Southeast Region.
Wilbur also drafted the historic Act 148 Legislation which provided a financial incentive for Pennsylvania counties to choose community-based programs for children rather than institutional settings, changed the setting for service delivery and called for better coordination between the child welfare and juvenile court systems.
He also served as co-director of the Crime Prevention Association and worked with former PCCY Board President John Riggan at the Conservation Company. As one of his final accomplishments, he designed, staffed and opened a day care center in West Philadelphia.
The Wilbur Hobbs Award, "True Friend of Children Award" is given to an individual or group that has demonstrated concern for children, youth and families in our region and made a difference in their lives.
The Lucy Sayre Award
Lucy Sayre, a founding member of Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth, dedicated volunteer and life long advocate for children, died in 2006 but her legacy lives on. As part of her volunteer service with the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, where she served as volunteer President in 1981, there was a consensus that Philadelphia needed a strong advocacy organization for children – all children, not just neglected or foster or disabled children, but all children. At that moment, Lucy was chosen to be the leader of what would become Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth.
A lot of work had to be done before PCCY would meet all legal requirements, have an office, an executive director, a properly constituted Board, an agenda and some money. Lucy was the right person for the job. She was well known in the community for her many years of public service and was highly respected as a person of integrity, selfless devotion and a capacity for hard work. Lucy could articulate the vision of PCCY and convince others of its validity. Perhaps more importantly, she had the talent to nurture their active involvement in making policies directed solely toward the welfare of children and youth.
Lucy Sayre had many interests including her family, her garden, travel, her community, her friends and her varied activities. For more than 20 years, she tutored inner-city children in a program sponsored by Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, where she was an elder.
The Lucy Sayre "Community Spirit Award" is given to an individual or group that has demonstrated outstanding volunteer achievements for children, youth and families in our region.
