WAWA, Pa. – After more than 11,500 votes were cast from people around the region, The Wawa Foundation announced that SPIN Special People in Northeast is the winner of The Wawa Foundation’s first Hero Award. The award is given to nonprofit organizations serving the greater Philadelphia area to recognize their outstanding commitment to assist others and helping to advance communities through preserving our freedom, protecting our safety, inspiring learning, and encouraging and empowering others to become better citizens and community members.

The foundation launched its Hero Award during Philadelphia’s Wawa Welcome America! festivities and presented the award in front of thousands of people as part of the Independence Day morning ceremony on July 4 in front of Independence Hall. During the event, Wawa’s President and CEO Chris Gheysens presented the awards on the stage, speaking about the significance of each nonprofit and their heroic efforts to better the lives of so many people throughout Philadelphia.

SPIN was selected as the Hero Award Gold Medal winner after receiving the highest number of public votes over a 10-day period on The Wawa Foundation website among four nonprofit finalists, including Veterans Multi-Service Center Philadelphia, Beat the Streets and Philadelphia Reads. The four finalists were chosen among more than 300 submissions from Philadelphia-area nonprofits for having the most compelling stories of assisting others and advancing their communities.

As the winner of the Hero Award Gold Medal, SPIN will receive a $50,000 grant from The Wawa Foundation and the three runners up will each receive Silver Hero Medals and $10,000 grants. SPIN Special People in Northeast (SPIN) is dedicated to the mission of providing services and support for children and adults with intellectual, developmental, and autism spectrum disabilities.