2011 Patrick C.Forde Good Person Award

2011 Recipient is John Hrones

Attend the award ceremony
Monday, January 24, 2011 at 5:00pm
Needham Public Library

About the award:
In 2005, Needham resident and community activist Patrick Forde passed away unexpectedly at the age of 51. Patrick was a person who cared deeply about Needham and about youth and families. His community involvement included being a Town Meeting member as well as the Commissioner of Trust Funds. Above all, Patrick was best known for being a “good person.”

Patrick was extremely supportive of the work of the Needham Youth Services (formerly known as the Needham Youth Commission) and understood the importance of families and of the healthy growth of youth. In an effort to honor Patrick, this award has been established by the Needham Youth Commission and will be given annually to a Needham resident who embodies his spirit.

This award will recognize an adult in the community who has helped make Needham a better place to live through his/her volunteer work and commitment. The recipient will be a person of high character, a person who has contributed in some significant way to Needham children, youth, and/or families, and a person who has enhanced those with whom they interacted.

Each year a ceremony is held to honor our recipient.


How to Nominate a Person
Nomination forms are available at the Needham Youth Services office in Town Hall or online. If nominees are not selected after one year but are still engaged in activities to benefit youth, children, and/or families, their nomination will remain active for a second year.

Nominations are accepted throughout the year with a deadline of November 1st . Each November, one candidate will be selected by a sub-committee of two (2) members of the Youth Commission Board of Directors.

View the Program description and Nomination Form.

Past Recipients

2010 Bill Dermody (View pictures from the award ceremony) or (Watch the DVD)
2009 Clyde "Solar Sam" Weihe (View pictures from the award ceremony) or (Watch the DVD)
2008 Connie Barr (View the pictures from the award ceremony)
2007 Richard Remnitz (View the pictures from the award ceremony)

Join Us for Our Third Annual Fundraiser

We are excited to announce this year's event will be a wine and specialty beer tasting Sunday, June 14, 4 - 6 p.m. at the Village Club in Needham, Mass.

Our event is made possible due to the generous contributions of Beverages to Go, Watch City Brew, and Neponset Winery. Experts from each company will be available at our event for questions. You'll also have the opportunity to purchase various wines and specialty beers. A portion of those sales will benefit the Patrick C. Forde Memorial Fund.

Tickets are $30 per person (after 6/8 tickets will be $35).

>> Print a registration form

To purchase tickets, print and send your registration form with payment to:

Patrick C. Forde Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 920094
Needham, MA 02492

2009 Good Person Award

Clyde "Solar Sam" Weihe was presented with the Patrick C. Forde Good Person Memorial Award at the Needham Free Public Library Monday, January 29.

Over the past 20 years, Clyde Weihe has brought solar powered gadgets into Needham schools. He has inspired children, and adults, to learn more about science, wowing them with solar powered toy boats, puppets, and even a miniature car.

Check out the YouTube video to learn more about Weihe’s dedication to solar energy and science education in Needham, Mass.