WASHINGTON (7News) — Hundreds gathered at Union Station on Tuesday evening to recognize the work of the .Org community and those who are making a difference worldwide.
The event is hosted by Public Interest Registry (PIR), the Reston, Va.-based nonprofit that runs the .Org domain.
Notable rapper and philanthropist Common hosted the evening.
“We’re dealing with a lot of things in the world. I mean, and for me, this event is an example of what I want to be a part of,” Common said.
“What I want to highlight, what I think humanity needs to just be reminded that there’s people out here doing good things and loving each other, and figuring out ways to overcome the negative things out. there’s people that do it on a daily,” he added.
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PIR stated that they received over 3,000 applications for consideration; however, only 35 finalists were selected and in attendance at Tuesday’s ceremony, and only seven will be chosen to receive a $180,000 donation.
“This is the best of the best,” Jon Nevett, President and CEO of Public Interest Registry, told 7News.
The first .Org was registered in 1985, forty years ago.
“These organizations do things like help people in Africa, all continents and they’re helping with empowerment, helping them survive, helping them thrive and they’re doing great work,” Nevett said.
Organizations like Manna Cafe Ministries, which serve thousands of meals to vulnerable communities, are working to address food insecurity in the country. The organization is a finalist this year.
“We work very hard at what we do. And then to be able to come out and be called out for what we do, which we don’t do for recognition. We do it to serve,” Doretha Minor, Finance Manager at Manna Cafe Ministries, told 7News.
“It’s a feeling I can’t even explain. It’s very blissful,” Minor added.
