10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania proudly presents:

The 2017 Commonwealth Awards

Thursday, December 7, 2017

5:30pm – 8:30pm

The Bond, York, PA

Award Recipients 

Louis J. Appell, Jr. Leadership Award – RSDC, Inc.  

Commonwealth Awards will be awarded to leading private sector companies and non-profit institutions, including Think Loud Development, York College, One West, Keystone Color Works, and Better York, among others, whose projects and initiatives have made outstanding contributions to the City of York. 

Reception to follow the Awards Program

Louis J. Appell, Jr. Leadership Award

10,000 Friends has created this award in honor of Louis J. Appell, Jr., beloved business leader, civic visionary, and philanthropist.  Preferring to work behind the scenes, Mr. Appell’s quiet leadership, vision, and financial contributions to the City of York and state of Pennsylvania were well known in many circles, if not often publicly celebrated in his lifetime.  Mr. Appell deeply believed in the mission and smart growth vision of 10,000 Friends – and was its largest private benefactor over many years.  In 2006, 10,000 Friends honored Mr. Appell, a former 10,000 Friends board member, with its lifetime achievement award known as the “Friend of Pennsylvania Award.” As chairman of Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff Co., Mr. Appell led by personal example through his corporate leadership in downtown York, and his generous personal investment in the York community.

The Commonwealth Awards is 10,000 Friends’ signature program recognizing great development projects and initiatives – and the people and organizations that make them happen.  It is the only statewide smart growth award program in Pennsylvania and reflects 10,000 Friends’ commitment to improving the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. Through the Commonwealth Awards, we recognize development projects that utilize best practices creating great walkable, sustainable, equitable, and healthy communities.  

At the December 7^th event, we will focus on the transformational and catalytic impact that an entrepreneurial developer collaborating with civic leadership can have on a city through creative, block-by-block, square-by-square mixed-use projects, providing affordable housing, establishing art, restaurant, and music venues, while stimulating the commercial and civic life of the city.  In addition to the Appell Award, 10,000 Friends’ Commonwealth Awards will be awarded to leading private sector companies and non-profit institutions, including Think Loud Development, York College, One West, Keystone Color Works, and Better York, among many others, whose projects and initiatives have made outstanding contributions to the City of York.