One lifetime just isn't enough

This past Tuesday the Frause team and our colleagues at Fundraising Partners Northwest headed down to the Lake Union Café to celebrate Bob at the Puget Sound Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Holiday Gala. It was a happy event full of photos, conversations and smiles. The silent auction featured items like a signed Seahawks football by Leon Washington, a basket of Washington wine and an at home spa kit. Between the silent auction and the live dessert auction, a significant amount of money was raised for the Puget Sound Chapter’s Horace & Susie Revels Cayton and Sally Heet Memorial scholarships. During the dessert auction, the Frause tables snagged the raspberry chocolate torte and gluten-free gingerbread men. Sweets for a worthy cause! Following the dessert auction, the awards ceremony began. R. Danner Graves, APR, Fellow PRSA, of Graves Group was honored with the Hugh Smith Community Service Award; along with Neil Neroutsos, APR of Snohomish County PUD for the President's Award for Volunteerism; and Dave Marriott, APR of Gogerty Marriott, Inc. as the PR Professional of the Year. Finally, (drum roll please!), Bob Frause was introduced by Suzanne Hartman, APR, the 2012 Chapter President-Elect, to receive the Jay Rockey Lifetime Achievement Award! Bob was handed the trophy by the award’s namesake – Jay Rockey.

Jay Rockey shared a humorous and anecdotal speech with the audience about the award that is now in its tenth year. He praised Bob and spoke of how much he values PRSA calling the Puget Sound Chapter the best in the nation. He also joked he was pleased to see the podium on the ground level after almost falling on the stage steps last year. As Bob accepted the award, he took a moment to thank his family, his team at Frause and the many professionals who have guided him throughout his career. The audience was full of warm smiles, in addition to the wet eyes of Bob’s wife, Sue.

The awards ceremony wrapped up with a mini video roast of Bob that also doubled as a tribute from all of us at Frause. The award was no doubt the highlight of Bob’s night, but we think our video and symbolic gift of Heifer International chickens added to the evening's thrill!