DARCARS President John Darvish was honored recently with the Buddy Award for Enduring Spirit at the 11th annual Morris K. Udall Awards ceremony to benefit Parkinsonês Action Networks.
The Parkinsonês Action Network (PAN) is an educational and advocacy voice for the Parkinsonês community. The group is fighting to find a cure within five years through lobbying for increased investment of public resources to bring a cure to the more than one million Americans who suffer from Parkinsonês disease.
The Buddy Levenson Award is named after a well-known and well-liked Washingtonian who battled Parkinsonês disease for more than 20 years, passing away in May 2000. Mr. Levenson worked for 12 years after being diagnosed. When he could no longer work, he still provided inspiration to his family and friends with his optimistic and wholehearted approach to life.
The Buddy Award is given to an individual who, despite suffering from Parkinsonês disease, exhibits that same enduring spirit by making extraordinary contributions to the betterment of humankind in their work, family life and charitable endeavors.
John Darvish was chosen as this yearês recipient because he and the DARCARS dealerships (31 franchises in 20 locations in three states) are recognized as major donors and a major force in the charitable and civic needs of the Washington area. My most important civic achievement has been our ability to establish a solid foundation in the community whereby people we touch know they can always count on me and my organization in times of need. There are over 30 local charitable and civic organizations to which we constantly provide time, talent, and resources, said Darvish.
Also honored for their public service were Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, and Rep. Lane Evans (D-IL). Joe and Nina Brown, full time volunteers in Houston, received the Milly Kondracke Award for Outstanding Advocacy.
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