SAN RAMON, Calif., May 1, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bay Area business leader and former newspaper publisher Vintage Foster will be honored on May 4th as the Citizen of the Year by the Bay Area Leadership Foundation (BALF) during the organization's 12th annual black tie benefit.
ABC-TV Ch7 news anchor Dan Ashley will emcee the gala event and present Foster with the award in recognition for his personal commitment and extraordinary service to the Bay Area community and its youth. At last year's event, BALF raised more than $127,000 to support its college access fund and high school mentoring program for low-income, high-potential students.
Foster is the former publisher of the Silicon Valley Business Journal and East Bay Business Times, and is president of marketing communications firm AMF Media Group. He joins the ranks of an impressive list of previous 'Citizen of the Year' honorees including Bay Area philanthropists Barclay and Sharon Simpson; former owner of the Seattle Seahawks and Blackhawk developer Ken Behring; former Oakland A's and St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa; President and CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund Sunne Wright McPeak; local business leader Mary Garaventa; and Chairman Emeritus of the Mechanics Bank Board of Directors Eddie M. Downer III.
Foster was selected for the 2013 Citizen of the Year by BALF for his efforts to create opportunities for Bay Area kids and families facing economic hardships and challenges.
"We are honored to recognize Vintage Foster as the Foundation's Citizen of the Year," said James Seay, chairman of the board for the Bay Area Leadership Foundation. "As a business and community leader, Vintage is an inspiration whose achievements serve as a model for Bay Area youth. Evidence of his work on behalf of young people, which is anchored in educational opportunity, is visible throughout many Bay Area communities."
Acknowledging Foster's vision and contributions to BALF as its founder, Marcy Straw, executive director of BALF said: "Over the years, Vintage's singular dedication to Bay Area youth has built our capacity and resources to ensure that deserving young people have the opportunity to achieve both their learning and leadership goals."
Each year, the Bay Area Leadership Foundation honors companies and individuals who have made a major impact for the betterment of the Bay Area community. This year at the May 4th awards event, BALF will also recognize Jamba Juice as the Corporate Citizen of the Year, and Kennedy High School student Yaneiri Hernandez Ochoa with its Youth Award.
Proceeds from the Bay Area Leadership Awards gala will support local Bay Area students pursuing college education as a way to succeed and who are committed to giving back to the disadvantaged neighborhoods in which they live. Over the past 12 years, the Foundation has served over 200 deserving youth in the East and South Bay. Twenty-four are currently in its high school ACCESS Program, and 24 students are enrolled in colleges across the country. In most cases, these students could not attend college without the preparation, direct support, and mentoring the Foundation provides.
Tickets for the 12th Annual Bay Area Leadership Awards scheduled for Saturday, May 4th at the Blackhawk Auto Museum, Danville, CA are available at: 510.622.7881 or online at www.eblf.org. Presenting sponsor – Wells Fargo, scholar sponsor – Garaventa Enterprises
About Bay Area Leadership Foundation
The Bay Area Leadership Foundation (BALF) helps underserved high school students achieve success in high school, college and beyond. BALF supports students who may not have the resources to pursue a college education reach their full potential. BALF offers mentoring, life skills development, guidance through the college access process, and help securing college funding. Since 2001, the organization has provided support for college to underserved students in the East and South Bay. Visit www.eblf.org to learn more.
About AMF Media Group
AMF Media Group (www.amfmediagroup.com) is a full-service strategic communications management firm staffed with writers, graphic artists, public relations professionals, web development, video production and event management personnel. Clients include Hewlett-Packard, Jamba Juice and Kaiser Permanente. Follow AMF Media Group on Twitter @vintagefoster.