Nonprofit Leader Wins Distinguished Service Award

Congratulations to International Relief Teams Founder and Executive Director A. Barry La Forgia, who has been honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Kiwanis Club of Tierrasanta in recognition of his service to the community. International Relief Teams is a SanDiego-based a nonprofit organization that provides emergency services and medical support to victims of natural and man-made disasters, and gives long-term assistance to create healthy communities.  The organization celebrates its 25thanniversary this year, and has provided help to 66 countries, including the United States, and to families in Tierrasanta after the 2003 fires.

“We’ve been involved in providing both emergency relief in every major disaster since 1988 and in long-term humanitarian efforts,” LaForgia explained. “From earthquakes to tsunamis to helping the poor and disadvantaged, we put together teams of trained volunteers who have the skills to do what’s most needed. That could be setting a broken bone, repairing a cleft palate, or fixing a hurricane-damaged home.”

La Forgia, a Tierrasanta resident,  says the key to each program’s success is the
organization's volunteers who have been a pivotal part of International Relief Teams for a quarter-century.