Edina’s leaders in philanthropy will be honored this month at the 36th annual City Volunteer Recognition Event on April 29.
The principal acknowledgement, the Humanitarian Award, was established to recognize the late Tom Oye, who helped found the Edina Human Rights and Relations Council in 1970. Oye was a second-generation Japanese American and part of the 100th Infantry Battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in World War II.
Oye was awarded the Prize for Humanity by the Immortal Chaplains Foundation in 2003, and in 2006, the Edina award was established in honor of his work. Residents Kristin Aarsvold and Tom Mckenzie were the 2014 recipients for their contributions in establishing an outreach program for Somali-Americans in Edina.
Anyone who lives or works in Edina is eligible for the award. This year, the event will take place at Braemar Clubhouse. The guest count is usually around 100 and will likely include the mayor, City Council members and city manager
