By: UWPIAA Awards
In Limerick in 2024 the UWPIAA recognized three James E. MacLennan Everyday Heroes for their remarkable achievements in the world.
Alexa Bruun Rasmussen, Gavin Lumsden and Blair Overstreet were the three recipients.
Alexa Bruun Rasmussen – ’94E
A recipient of the James E. MacLennan Everyday Hero Award, Alexa Bruun Rasmussen (’94E) is described as “a beacon of positivity and warmth, infusing every space she enters with her infectious energy. Her resourcefulness shines through in her unwavering commitment to helping those around her.” Says castmate Trip Marshall.
Alexa, a Denmark native, followed in the tradition of the family operated auction house. Alexa’s acumen as an auctioneer has been used to benefit numerous charities, not only in Denmark, but throughout the world. She also supports the charitable work of organizations with her business skills and experience. For example, in 2020, as the world grappled with the coronavirus shutdown, Rasmus Munk, founder of the 2-star Michelin restaurant Alchemist, transformed his kitchen into a hub for compassion by preparing hot, nutritious meals for the homeless and vulnerable populations in Copenhagen. Alexa played a pivotal role in this endeavor; she secured donations, organized special events, and led auctions to cover the additional operating costs. Four years on, Junkfood (as it is known) not only continues to flourish but also aims to expand its reach to provide meals across Denmark.
“Alexa is a generous person, giving of herself, her time and her contacts,” said François Zimeray, Former French Ambassador to Denmark. “During my five years in Copenhagen, not a month went by that I wasn’t reminded of Alexa’s impressive work. For anyone with a just cause to defend in social, cultural or international relations, Alexa is always THE most relevant contact, devoting herself on a daily basis with the enthusiasm and smile that are her trademark.”
Alexa has raised $7.3 million for global relief efforts through the Danish Red Cross. For example, she collaborated with influential figures like Jens-Peter Brask to organize an online auction of contemporary artworks, raising significant funds for Syrian children affected by harsh winter and war during the global pandemic.
Andreas Ekström, a fellow castmate, observes, “In the Nordics, Alexa has distinguished herself not only through her legacy work as Denmark’s leading auctioneer but also through her thoughtful and impactful approach to charitable work.” The charities she has championed seems endless: Hygge Factory (unites young people that share a common life experience in talent- and empathy- developing projects where they meet in a creative community), Børnetelefonen BørneTelefonen (the children’s line for advice, comfort or just an adult who has time to listen), Danmarksindsamlingen (annually twelve humanitarian organizations with Danmarks Radio come together to help people in some of the world’s poorest countries), Skagen Bamsemuseum (the Teddy Bear Museum where she has organizes events benefiting pediatric patients at Skejby Hospital). Other groups that she actively supports include, Kids Aid (emotional and psychological support for sick, vulnerable children and their families), the Smile Fund (supports children with serious and especially chronic diseases), and the Make-A-Wish-Foundation. Alexa also organized a charity event for the Maternity Foundation to support safer childbirth in Sub-Saharan Africa, held in autumn 2024, in New York.
Mirea Sharifi, also from ’94E, observed, “Beyond her professional success, Alexa has continually engaged in a stream of selfless and effective acts of kindness and dedication. Alexa’s efforts extend from global healthcare initiatives to the broader concerns involving education, women’s and children’s rights. With skills honed in Up with People (UWP), Alexa has carried on the spirit of UWP for over thirty years, acting as a catalyst for change.”
Samantha Callow (’94E), perhaps summed up the remembrances and accolades submitted by 30 cast members: “Alexa’s efforts have had a profound impact on the lives of individuals in need. Whether it’s through fundraising, volunteering, or advocating for important causes, Alexa consistently goes above and beyond to make a positive difference in the world.”
“I feel humble and proud receiving the “Everyday Hero” award. The values I learned in Up with People have become my mantra “together makes stronger” and it manifests itself in my willingness to help others in ways big and small. A heartfelt THANK YOU to all of you for giving me this award.”- Alexa Bruun Rasmussen Cast E ’94.
Gavin Lumsden – ’84A
Ottawa, Canada is a better community because of Gavin Lumsden ‘84A! He takes to heart and lives his mother’s admonition, “If you want to be a part of a community, you need to contribute to it”. This adage, reinforced by his Up with People experience, has led Gavin to contribute to and impact his community in ways that emulate how UWP has affected communities throughout the world. Gavin just brings it all home to Ottawa.
A passionate ambassador for Canada’s Capital City for more than 30 years, as the Station Manager for the two Rogers Television channels (English and French), Gavin could be content to do an occasional story about the needs of certain citizens in Ottawa. He could simply craft news stories about his neighbors in need and move on. This has never been enough for Gavin. He is compelled to act and give back as much as he can! His community impact extends far beyond the world of television. He is a lifelong volunteer, community builder, and wellness advocate. Unique about Gavin’s volunteer footprint is not just the work he does with numerous non-profit groups and projects, but when he identifies a need without an established administrative structure, he organizes, launches, and fundraises directly for those in need.
An example is “Walk This Way”. Gavin created this initiative in 2006, a goal-oriented wellness program for disadvantaged children at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Ottawa. The initiative grew. In 2015, Gavin completed his 50th marathon, raising $85,000 so that Walk This Way could be launched in 18 other communities across Canada. In 2020, he launched a similar campaign to mark his 55th birthday and corresponding 55th marathon. The “Thrive at 55” campaign netted $103,000 also for Walk This Way.
During the pandemic Gavin identified core areas of food insecurity among seniors and people with disabilities. It was during this time that he acted in a truly remarkable way. Dedicating over 1,400 volunteer hours, Gavin started making meals out of his personal kitchen. His network of police and other public servants distributed Gavin’s home cooked meals for nearly 2 years! In total, Gavin and his friends (dubbed “the Brunch Bunch”) cooked and distributed over 17,000 meals. Remarkably, Gavin personally funded this entire enterprise! Beyond his personal cooking endeavors, Gavin produced a special telethon with proceeds benefiting food security charities. The telethon raised over $100,000 in critical funding.
Gavin’s efforts span the spectrum of needs in the Ottawa community.
- Little Bags of Goodness: For over fifteen years, he collected more than 2,000 pounds of toiletries and other essentials donated annually to five Ottawa-based shelters.
- Running Room Marathon Clinics: For over nine years a volunteer instructor coaching/encouraging over 300 marathoners to complete their first 42-kilometer race.
- The Angel Tree Holiday Gift Campaign: annually providing custom holiday gift bags for the 100 permanent residents at Cornerstone’s shelter for abused and marginalized women.
- Operation Big Turkey: For ten years, leading a team that prepares and serves over 3,000 Christmas Eve dinners to neighbors in need.
- Urban Challenge: Organized and executed events, which generate more than $30,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa.
- Workplace Campaign: Launched and contributed to a series of two-year workplace campaigns which raised more than $100,000 for three charities – Children At Risk, Candlelighters’ Childhood Cancer Support Programs, and Children’s Wish Foundation.
Among numerous citations and awards for his community focused efforts, in 2022 Gavin was inducted into the Order of Ottawa (the city’s highest level of civilian recognition presented by the mayor) for professional and community achievements.
Gavin gives from his heart to the entire Ottawa community in the spirit of James E. MacLennan Everyday Hero Award.
Blair Overstreet – ’99A
It was twenty-five years ago that Blair Overstreet (’99A) finished up her travels in Up with People (UWP) . . . but that was just the beginning a life that continues to exemplify the values that are core to the UWP mission. Recognized as a 2024 James E. MacLennan Everyday Hero awardee, her passion and enthusiasm have an impactful effect on her community especially those marginalized by society.
Blair’s “first career”, as she refers to it, was as a teacher. During her decade in the classroom, she helped her students understand the systems of inequality in our world and empowered them to go out and facilitate the changes that were needed. Now, in her day-to-day life, Blair works as the central organizer for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in San Diego, California. But, beyond “the job”, Blair’s professional life and volunteer life have merged seamlessly as she campaigns for racial and economic equity. No matter where they are from or the language they speak, putting people first (and working to educate other on how to do the same) is the essence of her life. Blair is also a deeply involved a broad spectrum of related organizations devoted to providing basic human values such as providing food, rent relief, political empowerment and the struggle for equality among all in the community.
Where an organization to meet certain needs doesn’t exist, Blair is there to help create one. She is the cofounder of DeDe McClure Community Bail Fund (an accessible fund helping those held in jail because of an inability to pay their bail.) She facilitated the Invest in San Diego Families Coalition; serves as an organizer at the Center on Policy Initiatives; and from 2012-2014 was the Board President of So Say We All (a literary and performing arts organization which helps people tell their stories). At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Blair became involved with and provided core leadership for We All We Got San Diego, a mutual aid group providing food, rent relief and political empowerment to those most impacted, including BIPOC, immigrant neighbors, and neighbors with disabilities. Blair has worked locally in multiracial coalitions on issues such as police accountability, humane immigration practices and affordable housing.
She actively provides leadership organizations such as Showing Up for Racial Justice.
“Blair was born and raised in Mississippi, and her racial and economic justice lens has been forming since a young age”, states castmate Jennifer Watson. She continued, “She’s lived all over Central San Diego and believes strongly in grassroots, community-based organizing, and neighborhoods where people look out for each other and build community power.”
Reflecting on the impact of and direction imparted by her year in UWP, Blair recalls that “the experiences of being believed in and trusted to do advance work and take leadership in the tasks and planning necessary to keep the tour running and the cast thriving, fostered in me the confidence to step into those skills later.” In addition to the leadership skills, she felt her world perspective was broadened. “I was exposed to people who lived differently from me but shared values of compassion and giving. I saw countries and cultures that taught me something new about myself or my own culture in each place. It allowed me to see the interconnectedness of the issues that impact our daily lives and gave me a sense of working on the same team with people from across the world to make things a little better in each place we go.”