NORTHBRIDGE — Dennis Rice, executive director of Alternatives, has been named to receive the local Knights of Columbus’ first annual Beacon of Hope Award. Rice will be honored at Mumford Council #365’s annual awards/ recognition night on Saturday, April 17. John Brouillard, grand knight of the Whitinsville-based K of C, said the award has been established “as a way and means to honor and recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves by their excellence and outstanding contributions to their community and society.”

Over the past three decades, Alternatives has grown from a small nonprofit serving approximately 30 people with developmental/ psychiatric disabilities to a 45-program agency with a $21 million budget and 450 employees serving more than 500 people across central Massachusetts.

In 2008, Alternatives completed a $9.7 million renovation of the Whitin Mill, converting it into offices, client residences, a theater, gallery and space for artists. Brouillard described the project as transforming “an underutilized and deteriorated historic mill into a thriving, multiuse cultural hub for the whole community to enjoy, most certainly a jewel of the Blackstone Valley.”

Brouillard envisions the Beacon of Hope Award as a local version of the K of C’s statewide Lantern Award, which is presented each year on Patriots’ Day.

“I wanted to do what they are doing, but just on a smaller level,” he said.“We would like to grow the event… to recognize somebody who is not a knight, but who has really contributed to the community in general. We wanted to stay away from politics and things like that.”

A panel comprised of Brouillard and four past grand knights selected Rice for the award. “Dennis’ name was suggested to us and it was immediately unanimous,” he said. “There are many, many people in the community who are doing great things, but don’t get recognized. Hopefully, we can eventually increase the size of this award.”

Brouillard described Rice as “very down to earth and almost taken aback when I told him what I wanted to do… He was very gratified.”

Rice was proud to receive the inaugural Beacon of Hope award from the Mumford Council.

“They are honoring me, but they are really also honoring the many people here who are served by or work for Alternatives,” he said. “We look forward to continuing our efforts to build a stronger community for everyone.”

In addition to paying tribute to Rice, the event will recognize several local knights who have either achieved 25 and 50 years of service, honorary and honorary life status or have been selected as Knight of the Quarter or Knight of the Year.

The Mumford Council serves five area Catholic parishes: St. Peter’s in Northbridge, St. Patrick’s in Whitinsville, Good Shepherd in Linwood, St. Anne’s in Manchaug and St. Denis’ in Douglas. The Knights of Columbus, now in its 127th year, has approximately 14,000 councils and nearly two million members worldwide. The Mumford Council was the 365th to be recognized and currently has about 200 members.

The April 17 awards/recognition event will begin at 6 p.m. at the K of C Hall on Prescott Road in Whitinsville. Dinner and dancing will take place from 7-11 p.m. Tickets are $17.50 per person and can be reserved by calling Bob Jacques at (508) 476-2604 or e-mailing him at rjacques@charter.net.