PVAHCS receives 2010 Silver Anvil Award from PRSA

Led by the Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS), the VA Veterans Day Parade in Phoenix received the prestigious Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The Silver Anvil, which recognizes outstanding achievement in strategic public relations planning and implementation, was presented during the Silver Anvil Awards Ceremony held June 3 in New York City.

“As usual, finalists in this year's Silver Anvil Awards are among the very top public relations programs in our industry”

Supported by the Veterans Medical Leadership Council, PR Communications and Gordon C. James Public Relations, PVAHCS received the 2010 Silver Anvil Award for its campaign in the Community Relations, Government category for the VA Veterans Day Parade. Held on Veterans Day, the Parade assists the Department of Veterans Affairs in reminding Americans that the price of freedom is paid by our 1.6 million active-duty military, 23 million Veterans and their families.

Along these lines, the PVAHCS ensures our nation's heroes are not forgotten by spearheading a VA Veterans Day Parade community relations initiative. The theme for the event was "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave" which saluted Veterans of U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, also called the Global War on Terror.

The results of the PVAHCS 13^th annual VA Veterans Day Parade were solid, demonstrating the team not only met but exceeded objectives:

• Thanks to the parade, the favorable image of VA in the community increased from 36% to 40% -- a 4% increase.
• The impact of opinion of Veterans jumped from 46 to 62% -- a 16% increase;
• In the community, 95% of those polled said VA plays a vital role; and
• The positive impact of the opinion of VA from employees due to the parade increased by a staggering 17% from 57% to 74%.

"As usual, finalists in this year's Silver Anvil Awards are among the very top public relations programs in our industry," said James J. Roop, APR, Fellow PRSA, 2010 Awards and Honors Committee chair and president of Roop & Co., Cleveland, Ohio. "The Silver Anvils continue to recognize the best practices in our field."

The Silver Anvil Awards program has grown in scope and stature since its inception in 1946, and awards are now given in 59 categories and subcategories. In the 60-plus-year history of the Silver Anvils, many organizations have been recognized, including solo practitioners, agencies of all sizes, large and small businesses, top corporations, nonprofits, associations and government agencies.