BWL's Ann Pierce receives Lee County Injury Prevention Volunteer of the Year Award

Kudos to Ann Pierce on her much deserved award!  Thanks to the Injury Prevention Coalition for recognizing those in our community that have worked tirelessly to make it a safer community.



At the Injury Prevention Coalition award event on Dec. 16th, BikeWalkLee's Ann Pierce was named the 2014 Lee County Injury Prevention Citizen Volunteer of the Year.  IPC's program had the following citation for Ann's award:

Ann Pierce presented with award by ICP's Chair Syndi Bultman

Ann Pierce has been one of the driving forces behind BikeWalkLee since its inception in 2008. Ann's research on everything from Complete Streets to cyclovias has resulted in both becoming realities here in Southwest Florida. The expertise she's gained from book and internet research is greatly enhanced by her relentless first-person interviews and visits to locations that have implemented many of the concepts BikeWalkLee is working towards. Serving on various boards and committees over the years - a thankless task - confirms Ann's commitment to the cause.

Ann also works exhaustively on the local level, seeking to improve quality of life and safety in her own back yard (i.e the City of Fort Myers), an undertaking that is often times more time consuming and frustrating than her big-pictures efforts.

For all her hard work and the expertise she provides to our community and its governments - all at no charge - Ann Pierce's IPC's Citizen Volunteer of the Year award is long overdue.

Ann's BWL teammates, Darla and Dan

IPC also honored others in the community that have contributed to the IPC mission of fostering a safe community to live, play, and work.  Two of the award winners have made important contributions to bike/ped safety issues and complete streets.  First, Waterman Broadcasting was named the Media Partner of the Year, citing their coverage of bike/ped crashes and for advising the community about how to prevent injuries resulting from distracted driving, unsafe bicycling and walking practices, incomplete streets and sidewalks, among other things.

Bob from Waterman Media accepting Media Partner of Year

 Second, Dr. Judith Hartner received the IPC Lifetime Achievement Award for her 20-years of effort as the Department of Health Director and founder of the Injury Prevention Coalition.  She has been a long-time advocate for bike/ped safety and a champion for complete streets.

Dr. Hartner with two previous Lifetime Achievement Award winners

Lee Co. Sheriff's Youth Activities League Partner of Year

Report and photos by Darla Letourneau