United for Families awarded its first Community Service Award to Stop the Tears October 24, 2009, to the late Kathryn A. Basile.

Basile, who spent her life advocating for children, was nominated for the award by several organizations and individuals throughout the Treasure Coast area. The award was announced during United for Families' fourth annual Le Bal Masque at Willoughby Golf Club.

United for Families Chief Executive Officer Christine Demetriades said the award was created to recognize individuals in the community whose contributions of time, effort or financial contribution have significantly advanced United for Families' mission to break the cycle of child abuse.

The award will now be called the Kathryn A. Basile Award in honor of its first recipient, Ms. Demetriades said.

"Rarely are nominations unanimous, but this year one person alone was nominated. Ms. Basile gave of her time, her effort and finances, to support foster children. These children also received a large piece of her enormous heart. Foster children did not lose a champion, as her work will continue," said Ms. Demetriades.

Basile began her career as a teacher in the St. Lucie County School District in 1974. She taught at C.A. Moore in Port St. Lucie where she was assistant principal, and at Morningside Elementary. She was named teacher of the year when she founded a private school Sunflower Educare.

In 1999, she was named executive director of the Children's Services Council where she oversaw a program with an annual budget of $8 million, funding 58 prevention-based programs.

Basile was recipient of many awards and recognitions for her work with children in the community, including: the Florida Senate Medallion of Excellence; the Florida Coalition of Children's Lifetime Achievement Award; the 19th Judicial Circuit Award; Florida's Children Forum School Readiness Coalition Award; Children Home Society's Dave Thomas Child Advocate of the Year Award.

"Kathy was an inspirational leader and a good person to work for," said Sean Boyle, who became executive director of the St. Lucie County Children's Service Council after Basile's death September 7. "The council's role is to fund programs and advocate for children, and Ms. Basile was a true child advocate."