Peter Stewart to Receive Community Service Award

The Community House (TCH) is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2023 Joanne Holbrook Patton Community Service Award, Mr. Peter Stewart. The award recognizes Stewart for five-plus decades of dedication to community service through music, messages for peace, and advocacy for charitable causes such as food insecurity. TCH is thrilled to acknowledge Peter's community impact throughout the North Shore and beyond. The Patton Award will be presented at TCH's annual Bloom to Grow fundraiser on Thursday, May 11th, at 6:30 pm.

The Joanne Holbrook Patton Award was established to recognize and celebrate exemplary community service in Hamilton-Wenham. This award is presented each year to a deserving Hamilton-Wenham resident nominated by members of the community. Stewart has dedicated his life and talents to helping others and promoting peace. Stewarts's message of peace and dedication to community service is far-reaching and inspiring, and TCH is thrilled to recognize him this year.

Stewart is on a mission to spread peace worldwide through his music, film, theater, and directing. His journey began as a Musical Theater Director in the 1970s and Choral Director in the 1980s. Some notable musical productions include "Wizard of Oz" at Stockbridge School, "Sound of Music" and "Peter Pan" at Shore Country Day School, "West Side Story" at Pingree School, and “Music Man” at Community House Theater (now Stage 284).

Searching for his life's fulfillment, Stewart found it in writing music that spreads a message of peace. He produced and directed music with local choir groups and theater groups such as “The Solstice Singers”, "Voices of Peace" and "Sisters of Peace" around the North Shore. He also delved into film, producing peace-centered documentaries such as "May Peace Be With You" and "An Angel Story." His mission of spreading peace through music became a way of fundraising for charities and nonprofits such as Acord Food Pantry, Boston Children's Hospital, The Community House, and many more. To facilitate this work, he founded "Peter Stewart and Friends," a group dedicated to fundraising for charities and peace through music and film.

In addition to Stewart's mission to inspire others to embrace and spread messages of peace, his signature "pass the hat" method of fundraising encourages everyone to participate to the extent they are able. He notes, "Giving is getting. When you give, you build pillars of strength and love within yourself." Peter has been involved in many community events and programs at TCH, most notably the annual Carol Sing. He notes that nonprofit work reminds us that "we are part of a greater good."

Stewart plans to continue spreading his messages for peace and invites us all to work toward a better, more peaceful future. "Let's spend our energies helping our world," he says. "You never know when someone is ready to hear the message, and it makes a difference."

For details about the Bloom to Grow fundraising event and the Joanne Holbrook Patton Award, visit communityhouse.org/bloom.