FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

Allen Alongi
504-889-0278 x6079
aalongi@diabetes.org

FOUR NEW ORLEANS EDUCATION AND BUSINESS LEADERS

NAMED 2017 FATHERS OF THE YEAR

NEW ORLEANS (January 17, 2017) Four exemplary New Orleans-area dads to be honored at the 2017
Fathers of the Year ceremony:
Donald T. Boysie Bollinger
Dr. Norman C. Francis
Robert J. Fritscher
Ronald V. Burns, Sr.

The 2017 Father of the Year ceremony will take place on Friday, June 16 at the Hyatt Regencys Empire Room.
The event will feature a paddle-raise, auction and other special appeals. Cocktail Reception begins at 6:00 PM and
the Dinner Program starts at 7:00 PM.

These fathers were selected based on their ability to balance their personal and professional lives, and serve as a role
model for their children, while making a positive difference in their communities. The New Orleans Fathers Day
Council is made up of professionals throughout the New Orleans area, which selects the fathers from nominations
the council receives. All proceeds from the event will support the American Diabetes Association and its mission: to
prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association invests in the Father of the Year event and process in part because diabetes
affects families, not just those with diabetes, said Chris Ralston, Board Chairman of the American Diabetes
Association Gulf Coast. Diabetes affects some of those fathers and also the families of the fathers. Having great
dads who are examples of positive influences and leadership is something the ADA is proud to be a part of.

For more information on the Father of the Year Awards or to purchase tickets, please call 504-889-0278 ext. 6076 or
visit www.diabetes.org/neworleansfoty.

About the New Orleans Fathers Day Council

The New Orleans chapter of the National Fathers Day Council is a volunteer organization that annually honors
individuals who exemplify outstanding commitment to children, family and community. The National Fathers Day
Council was established in 1931. It holds Father of the Year awards events in 18 cities across the nation. National
honorees have included John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Colin Powell, Jack Lemmon, George Foreman, and Wolf
Blitzer.

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fighting for
those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to
hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights
because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all
people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-
DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in
English and Spanish.
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