SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience (ODR&R) at the Small Business Administration (SBA) extends its congratulations to the winner of the 2024 Phoenix Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Volunteer, Leanne Lovell. Your achievements and dedication set an example for excellence within the community. We celebrate your well-deserved success.
“This year’s honorees represent the power of determination and adaptability. Their journey exemplifies resilience, inspiring us all,” said Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “As SBA transforms its disaster assistance program by opening new paths for governors to secure recovery resources and working with local leaders to lead from the ground up, heroes like these represent the strong partnerships we are building to make communities more resilient.”
Since 1998, the SBA has presented Phoenix Awards to business owners, public officials and volunteers who displayed selflessness, ingenuity, and tenacity in the aftermath of a disaster while contributing to the rebuilding of their communities.
In the past year, the agency’s tireless disaster assistance team responded by delivering nearly $2 billion to help small businesses, renters, and homeowners rebuild and recover.
Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Volunteer
Leanne Lovell, a 30-year resident of Wynne, AR, started the non profit Wynne Relief and Recovery after an EF-3 tornado devasted the city on March 13, 2023. Moments after the impact, she received a personal call from Mayor Jennifer Hobbs, to lead the tornado recovery.
As a result, Leanne set up a 21,000-foot distribution center, managing over 200 volunteers a day, with doctors and counselors to serve medical and mental health needs to disaster survivors. Her recovery efforts supported the federal response, including SBA’s Office of Disaster Recovery, by disseminating information from her social media accounts, conducting several local radio interviews, and securing temporary housing for families.
Leanne’s leadership in the commitment to the recovery and now resiliency of the City of Wynne, is an expression of her unwavering thank you to the community that supported her in her personal time of need. Leanne was awarded the 2023 Cross County Citizen of the Year.
National Small Business Week (NSBW) will be held April 28 - May 4, 2024. This year marks the return of in-person awards ceremonies in Washington, D.C., for the first time since 2019. In addition, the SBA will also cosponsor a virtual summit of business education forums. For additional information about National Small Business Week, please visit www.sba.gov/NSBW.
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Co-sponsorship Authorization# 23-1-C The SBA’s participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
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About National Small Business Week
For 60 years, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week recognizing the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business and create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness. And in recognizing the changing face of America, the SBA’s National Small Business Week awards honor individuals and businesses that reflect our nation’s rich diversity.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.