Joanne Holbrook Patton Community Service Award

Purpose of Award
  1. To recognize and honor an individual who has exhibited a long standing commitment to volunteerism and/or community service (10 years or more)
  2. To inspire others to volunteer and participate in local community service efforts for the betterment of our two towns.
  3. To demonstrate The Community House’s commitment to promoting community spirit and local volunteerism.
Eligibility

Nominee must be a resident of Hamilton or Wenham and may not be compensated for the efforts for which they are nominated.

Selection

Nominations will be collected and reviewed annually by the Executive Committee of The Community House Board of Directors.  Nominations not selected will remain on file for future consideration. The honoree will be announced in the Spring and honored at TCH’s annual Spring fundraising event.  This is intended to be a one-time award to each recipient.

2026 nominations will be accepted until 9am on Thursday, January 22.  Nominate Here
 
The Community House Remembers and Honors Joanne Holbrook Patton

All of us at The Community House were deeply saddened by the news of Joanne Holbrook Patton’s passing on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at the age of 92. Her unwavering commitment to The Community House stands as a testament to her extraordinary leadership and dedication to community service. It is no exaggeration to say that without Joanne Patton, The Community House would not be here today.

Joanne’s tenure as President of the Board from 1983 to 1986 was a pivotal chapter in TCH’s 100-year history. When Joanne joined the Board, The Community House was on the brink of closure. Yet, her steadfast determination and fervent leadership almost single-handedly steered the institution away from this fate. Thanks to her ability to listen, foster connections, and pursue ambitious goals, The Community House not only survived but thrived.
 
Joanne Holbrook Patton’s legacy at The Community House in Hamilton is an enduring chapter of our collective history. Her selfless devotion and groundbreaking contributions have left a legacy on both the organization and the communities it serves. The Joanne Holbrook Patton Community Service Award will keep her memory alive, continually inspiring and uplifting those who value the spirit of service and community. In the coming days, we will share more about our plans to honor Joanne and her service.

To learn more about Joanne Patton and her instrumental role at The Community House, we invite you to visit our website: communityhouse.org/joanne-patton. On that page, you will find additional details about her time as Board President. You can also enjoy a video of Joanne recounting the story of how she helped save our organization.

Award Recipients:

  1. Heather Ford – 2025
  2. Bob Blanchard – 2024 
  3. Peter Stewart – 2023  
  4. Susanna Colloredo-Mansfeld – 2019 
  5. Connie Gourdeau – 2018 
  6. Peter and Gretel Clark – 2017 
  7. Joe Trustey – 2016 
  8. Donna Whipple -2015 
  9. Mary Reinhalter – 2014 
  10. Albert Dodge – 2013 
  11. Joanne Patton –2012 
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