SAGE AWARDS
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
5:30 PM Cocktails | 6:30 PM Dinner & Awards Presentation
Piper's Landing Yacht and Country Club, 6160 SW Thistle Terrace, Palm City, 34990
$125 per guest
Semi-Formal Attire
For information about sponsorship opportunities, call 772-223-7803.
2023 Sage Awards
Honorary Chair
Ann Day
Proceeds from the Sage Awards support comprehensive support and programs for seniors provided by the Council on Aging of Martin County. These safety-net services include Meals on Wheels, adult day health care, comprehensive case management, crisis support, caregiver counseling and education, memory enhancement, and more.
2023 Sage Award Honorees
Charlie Kane Award
Albert M. Covelli Foundation
(Awarded to Josephine "Jo" Covelli)
The Albert M. Covelli Foundation was established in 1983 by Albert “Al” and his beloved wife Josephine, so they and future generations of their family could continue to help their community on a personal level. The foundation is a true labor of love and supports numerous charities in both Ohio and Florida. That support translates to positively impacting the lives of thousands of people. “My beloved husband Al worked hard to provide our family with blessings,” says Josephine, “so it is important that I continue his legacy by blessing others, especially children.”
Chairman's Award
Judie Price
For Judie Price, her late husband Gary, and their five children, philanthropy as always begun at home. Over four decades, the Price family has supported many nonprofit organizations, with a primary focus on those whose mission it is to help stabilize disadvantaged individuals and families. Judie carries on the mission of giving she started with Gary, and continues to be a role model for her children and grandchildren, exemplifying that true riches come not from what we have, but from what we give.
Arts & Culture
Dr. Douglas P. Jewett
Dr. Douglas P. Jewett lives and breathes music. Twenty years ago he founded Treasure Coast Community Singers, a community choir dedicated to “keeping people singing.” He still serves as the choir’s CEO, which is now comprised of more than 150 singers and performs in venues throughout the Treasure Coast. In addition to running the choir, he maintains a private voice studio and serves as the music director of Mariner Sands Chapel in Hobe Sound. Dr. Jewett is a mainstay of the performing arts community on the Treasure Coast. Through his talent and dedication to his craft, he helps aspiring singers find their voices and spread joy to others through the power of song.
Military & Veterans Support
Lieutenant General Frank Libutti, USMC (Ret.)
Frank Libutti is a decorated Vietnam War hero who served our country in the U.S. Marine Corps for 35 years. His many awards include two Distinguished Service Medals, the Silver Star, and three Purple Hearts. Today, Frank’s focus is on the well-being of his fellow veterans. He currently serves as the volunteer CEO and Chairman of the Board of Horses & Heroes of Southeast Florida, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to gently empower personal development in the lives of veterans and first responders, assisting them to connect with the community through the benefits of Equine Assisted Learning.
Health Science & Medicine
Francis J. Kleeman, MD
Francis “Frank” J. Kleeman, MD, FACS, is a talented physician who has dedicated much of his career to helping those in need. Dr. Kleeman has been a volunteer urologist at Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) Clinic for over 14 years. VIM Clinic, located in Stuart, provides free healthcare for those who have no access to care due to lack of insurance coverage and/or personal means to pay. Dr. Kleeman is no stranger to providing healthcare for the needy. “Throughout his career, he epitomized all that one could ask for in a physician and humanitarian.” -Dr. Jordan Bromberg.
Education
Alice Luckhardt
(Presented Posthumously)
Alice Luckhardt was a beloved fixture of local history and genealogy communities for more than twenty years. Alice believed that everyone has an interesting story, and she enjoyed uncovering and sharing those stories with anyone who was willing to learn. Her passion was infectious, and as a gifted educator, she knew how to inspire others to learn alongside her. Alice lost a brave battle with cancer in December of 2022. Alice will be missed greatly by her community. Her legacy and voice will live on in her immense body of work, the local historical initiatives she nurtured, and the many lives she touched through her outreach.
Community Service
Alfred Miller Jr.
Alfred Miller Jr. is a multi-generational, lifelong resident of Hobe Sound, and a strong, outspoken advocate for his hometown. Alfred grew up in the historic Banner Lake community, which was established in 1924 to provide housing for the African American workforce employed by the wealthy estates on Jupiter Island. Alfred is a descendant of those early Hobe Sound residents and a proud chronicler of their history. Today, he is the President of the Banner Lake Club, and has served on its Board of Directors for 25 years. Alfred is considered a living legend and a treasured icon of Hobe Sound.
Charlie Kane Award
The 2022 Charlie Kane Award honoree is Joseph “Joe” A. Catrambone. Joe is a mainstay of Martin County. He has served as the President and CEO of the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce for 33 years. As the leader of the county’s largest Chamber of Commerce, Joe’s influence and impact on the fabric of our community is unmistakable. Advocacy, steadfast community involvement, inspiring leadership … these are all qualities exemplified by the 2022 Charlie Kane Award honoree, Joe Catrambone.
Chairman's Award
The 2022 Chairman’s Award honoree is Reverend Jerry Gore. As Pastor of the Pentecostal Church of God In Christ of Stuart, he is an ardent man of faith and a true believer in the power of lifting up those around him. His motto is “Each one, reach one, teach one.” He offers inspiration through his words, and creates resounding positive impact with his actions. “NEVER GIVE UP,” says the 2022 Chairman’s Award honoree, Jerry Gore.
Arts & Culture
Mallo Bisset is an award-winning artist, successful entrepreneur and local philanthropic legend. Mallo, along with her daughter Alex, own Red Barn Furniture, established in 1988. But Mallo is best known for her participation in and support of many local organizations. After over 34 years in Martin County, she has left her mark! The number of nonprofits Mallo’s generosity has touched and uplifted is too great to list, but it cements what we all know … her passion to help her community knows no bounds.
Health Science & Medicine
Education
Military & Veterans Support
Community Service
Gytha Von Aldenbruck, from Hutchinson Island, won a Sage Award in Community Service for her unwaivering commitment to multiple organizations across the Treasure Coast including Treasure Coast Hospice, Memory Bridge, Alzheimer's Community Care, the American Cancer Society, the Arts Council on Martin County and Martin County Community Foundation.
Dale M. Hudson, from Stuart, received a Sage Award in Faith-Based Service. For 23 years Dale has served as the chairman of Mary's Kitchen - an outreach mission of St. Mary's Episcopal Church. Through his devotion to this mission, over 200,000 meals have been served to the hungry and homeless living in our midst.
Dr. Reza Khatib, from Palm City, received a Sage Award in Healthcare & Health Services. Dr. Khatib is a retired neurosurgeon who continues to pursue his passions through far-reaching philanthropic work. He endows chairs and professorships in Neurological Surgery and Oncology at four U.S. universities. He was instrumental in the opening of the first hospice in Iran in 2017. And, he created the Khatib Bridge and Education Center here in Stuart.
Dr. Barbara Bush, from Stuart, received a Sage Award in Healthcare & Health Services. Dr. Bush has continued her 39 years of volunteering with the Martin Health Auxiliary well into her retirement, logging 18,450 hours of service. Whether in a leadership role or helping patients through the No One Dies Alone Program, she's known for her remarkable dedication to health care.
Irwin Stovroff, from Boca Raton, won a Sage Award in Human Services for founding Vets Helping Heroes at the age of 84, which underwrites service dogs for veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. The organization has provided service dogs for more than 300 veterans. Well into his 90s, Irwin continues as President of Vets Helping Heroes.
Dr. David L. Anderson, from Port Salerno, won a Sage Award in Professional Services for his lifelong commitment to improve the quality of education for all students in Martin County. At the age of 71, he was the longest sitting School Board member in the State of Florida. He is one of the county's best known educators and the namesake for our newest middle school in Martin County.
