Chris Sotus, a passionate and reliable supporter of a local non-profit Park Place Outreach (PPO), is the winner of the 2019 Vicki Loughery Volunteer Advocacy Award. Vicki Loughrey Volunteer Advocacy Award which is given each year to honor Vicki Loughrey, who passed away in 2012. In recognition of her legacy of service, this award recognizes the contributions of an outstanding individual in our community, who embodies or demonstrates the spirit of volunteerism. Vicki Loughrey was a dedicated board member and enthusiastic volunteer for EmployAbility (previously Coastal Center for Development Services) and believed strongly in EmployAbility’s mission: to prepare individuals with IDD for employment and community integration. In addition, Vicki was the driving force of EmployAbility’s inaugural Golf Tournament and fundraising event in 2011.

Chris works at Merrill Lynch/Bank of America, which has become PPO largest corporate donor, largely because of Chris’s advocacy work. He was nominated for this award by several people who all spoke of his sincere dedication to making an impact on our community by helping kids. Drawn to the work of the organization and its mission for providing teens a safe place to go 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he joined the Board of Directors for PPO in 2014.

This past year, he logged over 50 hours of volunteer work and encouraged his colleagues to complete matching gift paperwork for PPO, which resulted in a matching gift through Bank of America. One nominator shared that, “He has become known as the handyman of Park Place, always ready with his toolkit to tackle any household tasks that are needed in our facility. You can also always count on him to sign-up for any volunteer event and bring friends to our fundraisers and events.”

Chris Sotus represents Vicki’s legacy of service and support for local non-profits. He was presented with the Vicky Loughrey Award on May 7, 2019. Chris’s dedication and service will continue to be recognized, by his nominee Julie Wade, Executive Director of Park Place, who will attend on his behalf, the EmployAbility’s 2019 Annual Charity Golf Tournament to celebrate the Award at the 19th Hole Party Event at The Landings Club on May 17, 2019.