FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rotary Club of Lexington presents Rob and Diane Perez with Humanitarian Cup Award
Couple recognized for their unwavering grassroots efforts to make the Bluegrass a better place for all
Lexington, Kentucky (January 21, 2020) – Last week Past President and Past District Governor Dean Hammond presented the Rotary Club of Lexington’s Humanitarian Cup Award to Rob and Diane Perez, founders and operators of the DV8 Kitchen and the DV8 Kitchen Foundation. The Perezes will also receive a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice.
The Humanitarian Cup Award, established in 2003 to recognize humanitarian service at its highest level in the central Kentucky area, requires that the recipient have a generosity of spirit and have selflessly dedicated his or her time to serving others less fortunate while making a significant humanitarian contribution of volunteer leadership that benefits the lives of others and the welfare of humanity.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor,” said Hammond. “The Perezes are hands-on innovators who have dedicated their lives to creating opportunities for those asking for a second chance.”
The Perezes have certainly demonstrated both in an approach that attempts to help people in the early stages of recovery. They use a business model that mandates profitability and challenges employers to invest in the recovery of their employees using what Rob described in his presentation last week as a transformational rather than a transactional approach.
In previous recognition of their efforts, the Perezes and DV8 Kitchen received the 2017 Corporation of the Commonwealth Award and a 2019 Innovation NOW Kentucky Award. And they were recognized by Camp Horsin’ Around in May 2019 as one of the Amazing 8, volunteers who enrich the non-profit sector and our community.
Rob struggled with alcohol dependency since he was 14 years old and when he turned 25, decided it was time to make major changes in his life and stop hurting the people he loved and cared about the most.
“Rob and Diane’s story gives others facing the challenges associated with addiction hope for a better tomorrow,” Hammond added. “They are a true blessing to our community.”
For more information, please contact Peggy Trafton at [email protected] or 859.389.8100. To learn more about the Rotary Club of Lexington, please visit www.rotarylexky.org.
Photo Attached (l-r Past Rotary Club of Lexington President and Past District Governor Robert Ryan, Diane Perez, Rob Perez; Photo Credit – Virginia Carter)
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Dan Koett
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