Break the Barriers to Hold 10th Annual Fundraising Dinner - Community Leaders Larry Powell and Dot Powell Slated to be Honored

Fresno, CA (PRWEB) October 3, 2007 -- Break the Barriers, Inc., the nation's premier sports-arts center uniting the able and disabled, today announced that its 10th annual fundraising dinner, "Breaking Barriers for Children," will be held at the Fresno Convention Center's Valdez Hall, on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007 at 6 p.m. This year, the organization will honor County Superintendent Larry Powell and education catalyst Dot Powell for their outstanding commitment to the children of the greater Fresno area.

"Break the Barriers is now entering its 25th year of service, due largely to the continued generous support of the members of our community," said Co-Founder and Executive Director Deby Hergenrader. "On this occasion, we wish to show them our deepest appreciation for their enthusiastic support over the years. We are especially thrilled to formally honor our friends, Larry and Dot Powell, for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of the children in our community."

Larry Powell has been the recipient of many awards including 2003 Superintendent of the Year for the Association of California Administrators -- Region 9, which includes Mariposa, Merced, Madera, and Fresno Counties. He was awarded a brick in the Educator's Wall of Fame, recognizing him as a "Noted Alumni, Friend of Education" by the Alumni Association at California State University.

Mr. Powell has been a teacher, learning director, vice principal, principal, district office administrator and superintendent. His educational service includes experience in elementary, middle, and high schools as well as at the university level. He has worked tirelessly as an educational liaison with community-based organizations and public agencies, and frequently speaks at conferences and conventions on educational issues and motivational topics.

Recently named one of the greater Fresno area's Top 10 Business Professional Women of the Year 2007, Ms. Powell, is a retired principal from the Fresno Unified school district, She currently serves as executive director of SALT Fresno, a non-profit agency that provides mentoring services to students, teachers and administrators; and director of Read Fresno, a community-wide literacy initiative focused on having every child reading at or above grade level by the end of third grade.

Unique from other fundraising dinners, "Breaking Barriers for Children" is an all-inclusive family event with something to entertain people of all ages. The magical harvest-themed evening will feature a delicious dinner, silent and live auctions, performances by the world renowned "Barrier Breakers," and music for dancing provided by the Morgan Canyon Band. There will also be special guests, awards and significant announcements about the upcoming year.

Individual tickets are $75, and tables for 10 guests are $1,000. Tax-deductible tickets may be purchased at Break the Barriers, located at 8555 N. Cedar and Teague. For more information, please call 559.432.6292 or visit www.breakthebarriers.org.

About Break the Barriers:

Fresno-based Break the Barriers is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization established in 1985. Through sports, arts, aquatics, health and fitness programs for the able bodied and the disabled, Break the Barriers is recognized as a "National Role Model for Inclusion" by the U.S. Department of Special Education, acknowledged throughout California, the United States, and abroad for its equity advocacy.

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