HWA is a volunteer organization. Nearly everything HWA does happens because of contributions of time and sometimes money by generous members. It is not unusual for our volunteers to donate several hours of their time each week for years on end. As as small token of our thanks, we have instituted two awards for volunteer service within the organization.
THE HAMMER AWARD is given periodically to an HWA volunteer who has done a truly massive amount of work for our organization, often unsung and behind the scenes. It was instituted in 1996, and is decided by a vote of HWA's Board of Trustees.
The award is so named because it represents the careful, steady, continuous work of building HWA's "house" -- the many institutional systems that keep the organization functioning on a day-to-day basis. The award itself is a chrome-plated hammer with an engraved plaque on the handle. The chrome hammer is also a satisfying allusion to The Beatles' song, "Maxwell's Silver Hammer," a miniature horror story in itself.
PAST RECIPIENTS of The Hammer Award include:
2016 - James Chambers
2015 - Michael Knost
2014 - Rena Mason
2013 - Norman Rubenstein
2012 - Charles Day
2011 - Guy Anthony de Marco
2010 - Angel Leigh McCoy
2009 - Kathryn Ptacek
2008 - Sephera Giron
2006 - Donna K. Fitch
2005 - Stephen Dorato
2004 - Robert Weinberg (second time)
2003 - Douglas E. Winter
2001 - Nancy Etchemendy
1998 - Sheldon Jaffery
1997 - Lawrence Watt-Evans; Robert Weinberg
THE RICHARD LAYMON PRESIDENT'S AWARD FOR SERVICE was instituted in 2000 and is named in honor of Richard Laymon, who died in 2001 while serving as HWA's President. As its name implies, it is given by HWA's sitting President.
The award is presented to a volunteer who has served HWA in an especially examplary manner and has shown extraordinary dedication to the organization.
PAST RECIPIENTS of the Richard Laymon President's Award for Service include:
2015 - Patrick Freivald, Andrew Wolter
2014 - P.R. team: Tom Calen, Brock Cooper, Doug Murano
2013 - J.G. Faherty
2012 - James Chambers
2011 - Karen Lansdale
2010 - Michael Colangelo
2009 - Vince A. Liaguno
2008 - John R. Little
2007 - Web team: Stephen Dorato, Christopher Fulbright, Mark Worthen
2006 - Lisa Morton (second time)
2005 - Lisa Morton
2004 - Lee Thomas
2001 - Kathryn Ptacek, Judi Rohrig