For Immediate Release

January 24, 2007

Contact: Lea Anne Chapman

2007 President, Alexandria Jaycees

Alexandria Jaycees SelectPatrick Evansfor Top Honor

Patrick Evanswas named the 2007 winner of the James E. Shortt Outstanding Public Service Awardand was one of five outstanding young City employees honored by the Alexandria Jaycees at a special reception and ceremony January 23, 2007. The Alexandria Jaycees annually honorfive City employees based on exceptional achievement or contribution in their chosen field or fields, organization, or community.

According to the creed of the Jaycees, the recipients of the Community Appreciation award demonstrate that “service to humanity is the best work of life.” “The young men and women selected for these awards over the past 60 years have shown exceptional commitment to Alexandria’s citizens,” said Jaycee President Lea Anne Chapman, “and remind each of us that no problem is too difficult when handled with ingenuity, courage, and determination.”

Patrick Evans is a six-year veteran of the Alexandria Fire Department who has immersed himself in the Alexandria community during his service as a city employee. Firefighter Evans is a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Rebuilding Together Alexandria (formerly Christmas in April). He has been instrumental in the Black Fire Service Professionals’ annual holiday party for needy children in Alexandria who might otherwise not be able to celebrate with gifts and special treats. For the party he collects and distributes toys and gifts; organizes the event; and works with the children the day of the event. The children range in age from 6 to 12 years.

In his home community, Patrick Evans is active as a mentor in youth sports, including basketball, football and soccer. As a former football pro in Europe, he is a role model to youth. He majored in physical therapy with a minor in nutrition and strength conditioning at the University of Delaware.

Patrick Evans is married and he and his wife are the parents of two children.

For these important contributions to enhanced safety and well-being of Alexandria's residents and visitors, Patrick Evans has been selected to receive the Alexandria Jaycee's 2007James E. ShorttOutstanding Public Service Award.

The James E. Shortt Alexandria Fire Department Award

Although James Edward Shortt was born in Gastonia, North Carolina, he spent most of his life in Alexandria. In the late 1950’s, after serving the United States Navy on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Forrestal, Mr. Shortt joined the Alexandria Fire Department. He left after a year, but then returned for another year and a half. Again, he left to pursue another field. Finally realizing that “I like the [fire department] work and have found from experience I am not satisfied in any other vocation,” he returned to the Fire Department permanently in April of 1961.

In 1964, James Shortt was promoted to Fire Prevention Inspector. He soon became widely known throughout the building and construction community as a tough, but fair, public servant. Never would he allow a safety issue to slide because it seemed unimportant. The safety of others was his prime consideration and the word “compromise” was not in his vocabulary when it came to preventing fires and providing a safe environment for those he had chosen to protect. He rose to the rank of Deputy Fire Marshal, which is the rank he held when he retired on December 1, 1993. He died just a few days later.

The Alexandria Jaycees develop leadership skills, donate hundreds of hours of community serviceto the community each year, and provide fellowship for young professionals aged 21-40. The Alexandria Chapter is one of the largest in Virginia and has been serving the City of Alexandria since 1940. For more details about the Jaycees, call the Jaycees' 24-hour recorded event line at (703) 866-7171 or visit our website at .

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