FLEMING #- More often than not, people rarely take the time to stop and tell one another that they are special and that they have made a difference in someone's life or in their community.

Saturday evening at the Springside Inn, members of the Auburn community stopped to do just this at the annual Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre's Community of Color Honors Awards.

Sean McLeod of the New York Institute of Dance and Education and Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre, served as master of ceremonies for the evening.

McLeod said that the idea for the awards began in 1994 with the first awards ceremony being held in 1995.

Since then the awards have been presented every February since as part of the celebration of Black History Month, paying tribute to individuals, businesses and community organizations that have made a difference within the community.

“The Community of Color is just that,” McLeod said. “It is an opportunity to identify people that work to make sure that color is not the most important issue in the room. This is a chance to honor and recognize that.”

The evening began with an introduction by the Rev. Paul G. Carter. Carter took the opportunity to talk a little bit about what the awards symbolize and the momentous importance the actions of those honored with these awards has had on the Auburn community.

“We dwell together in unity,” Carter said. “These people and these organizations come together to create the community of color and that makes a difference in people's lives. It isn't often that we stop and tell someone that they are a very special person, but we are here tonight to acknowledge just that, to tell these people that they are special and to let them know the important role they play in our lives.”

Carter went on to say that it takes something special to be recognized with an award such as the ones presented Saturday night.

Carter said that the people honored Saturday stand as a beacon, reminding everyone that they can work not only for their own benefit, but also for the benefit of others and the benefit of their community and serve as a reminder that there is hope, even in these times of economic difficulty, hope that things will improve and that when times are hard there is a supportive community in Auburn to rely on.

The recipients of these awards span a diverse range from athletes to artists to banks and individuals, all of whom have worked tirelessly for the greater good of their community.

Among Saturday night's awards recipients was Tompkins Trust Company, which was presented with the Honored Firm Award.

McLeod said that this is an institution that has gone above and beyond to make itself a part of the Auburn community and a place that when customers walk in they are treated well and on a personal level and not just as a name and an account number.

Tony Franceschelli of Tompkins Trust Company was there to accept the award.

“It is a great honor,” Franceschelli said. “When we opened five years ago our goal was to become part of the community. Everyone who works for us is local and lives here and is part of the community and we work to do the best we can to support this community. This is really great and we appreciate it.”

McLeod said that the vast majority of awards presented at the ceremony have been in existence since the ceremony began in 1995, but from time to time an individual or institution will present itself and it becomes apparent it is time for a new award.

This year the Rise Award was created, given in recognition of an individual who demonstrates integrity in art, sport or academia, as well as in their community.

This year the award was presented to Quendel Ellison.

Ellison was a member of the state champion Auburn High School Football team, but he is also much more.

McLeod said that Ellison, even in the midst of all the success the team had never forgot that he was part of a team and in his private life always stuck to the tenants he was raised to believe in, principals of hard work and leading a good life.

“I'd like to thank God first,” Ellison said. “Without him none of this would be possible and my dad, without him none of this would be possible either. And I'd like to thank Sean for working with me and helping me to be a better athlete. This is a really great honor.”

In the world of art, the Auburn Public Theatre and Angela Daddabbo and Carey Eidel were honored for their contributions to the world of art in Auburn and for creating a place for the arts in the Auburn community.

“When we started with the idea five years ago we were just looking to entertain ourselves,” Daddabbo said. “And if anyone else was entertained that would just be a great bonus. But in the past three years, 10,000 people maybe more, 15,000 have been through the doors and it is a real honor to receive this award.”

But whether it was in art, business or on a personal level, all the recipients served as a reminder of the same ideal.

“It is better to live for a cause,” Carter said. “Than to live just because.”

Honored Firm Award

Tompkins Trust Co. (Ithaca and Auburn)

Rise Award

Quendell Ellison (Auburn)

Visionary Award

Angela Daddabbo and Carey Eidel, Auburn Public Theater (Auburn)

Laura Austin, The Red House (Syracuse)

Award of Social Conscience

The late Terri Bridenbecker and Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce (Auburn)

Dr. Rick Wright and 106.9 (Syracuse)

Spirit of Life Award

Mary Jacobs (Auburn)

Rhoda Overstreet (Auburn)

Josh Middleton (Auburn)

Award of Distinction

Rev. Vernice Warfield (Rochester)

John A. McLeod Vanguard Award

Tim Lattimore (Auburn)

Anton Germano Dance Award

PUSH Physical Theatre (Rochester)

Richard Ellner Award of Hope

Michael Henty, Champions for Life (Auburn)

William Rowland, Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company (Syracuse)