The AIDS Pastoral Care Network ( APCN ) honored several individuals at its annual Tree of Life Awards breakfast that took place Nov. 10 at the School of the Art Institute Ballroom.
The Tree of Life Award recognizes the work and dedication of people and organizations who have assisted in uniting Chicago's various communities in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
This year's honorees included Rev. Clay Evans, who received the Tree of Life Award; Waver Franklin, who received the James Corrigan Award for Volunteer Service; Joann Montes, who was honored with the Mike Savage Spirit Award; and Hospira, Inc., recipient of the Corporate Leadership Award.
NBC anchor Don Lemon served as host of the event.
APCN, which was founded in 1985, works from various faith-related and cultural perspectives with HIV-infected people and their loved ones. The agency is actually part of Access Community Health Network, the country's largest network of federally qualified health centers.
PICTURED: APCN Director Rev. Betsy Ritzman, from left; Jason Hodges, accepting Corporate Leadership Award on behalf of Hospira Inc.; James Corrigan Awardee Waver Franklin; Michael Savage Spirit Awardee Joann Montes; ACCESS CEO Donna Thompson; Gayle Claudette Pye, accepting Tree of Life Award on behalf of her father, the Rev. Clay Evans and NBC Anchor Don Lemon ( event MC ) pose for a photo during the AIDS Pastoral Care Network's recent annual 'Tree of Life' breakfast.