Operation A.B.L.E. Honors Seaport's John Drew

Boston, Mass. – June 9, 2008 – Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston proudly honored Hingham resident John Drew at its annual Starfish Thrower Award Gala on May 6. Mr. Drew, president and chief executive officer of the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center Boston and founder and president of The Drew Company, a Boston-based real estate management and development firm, was honored for his enduring dedication and commitment to the Greater Boston community.

According to Operation A.B.L.E. Executive Director Joan Cirillo, the Starfish Thrower Award honors Outstanding Community Service and takes its name from those who are willing to “make a difference.”

The Starfish Thrower Award is based on a story from the book “The Star Thrower,” by Loren C. Eiseley, in which an older man encounters a wise young man walking the beach the morning after a storm, tossing starfish back into the ocean before they die in the afternoon sun -- a task that appears futile given the millions of starfish that had washed ashore the previous night. When told that his solitary effort couldn’t possibly make a difference given the enormity of the problem, the wise man simply picked up another stranded starfish and threw it back into the sea. “It made a difference to that one,” he replied.

“John Drew clearly embodies the Starfish Thrower philosophy as he has been a major force in Greater Boston and beyond, working with both non-profits and corporate groups to improve the quality of life for so many in the area,” Cirillo said. “We are indeed honored and proud to be presenting this award to such a deserving individual.”

The breadth of Mr. Drew’s civic engagement spans a variety of roles, including Chairman Emeritus for Caritas Christi Health Care System; Chairman Emeritus of A Better City; and membership on the Board of Directors of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Boston History Collaborative and the Boston Municipal Research Bureau. He is also a past member of Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston’s Board of Directors and has long been a strong advocate of mature workers in the state.

About Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston
Founded in 1982, Operation A.B.L.E.(Ability Based on Long Experience) of Greater Boston, Inc. (www.operationable.net) is a private, non-profit, 501c(3) organization providing employment and training services for job seekers of all ages, particularly mature workers 45 and older. The agency has helped more than 26,000 people return to work, serving individuals from economically, racially, and occupationally diverse backgrounds that have been adversely affected by downsizings, mergers, and relocations

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