Yakima Citizens Honored for Helping to Keep Yakima Safe

11 local citizens and the Kiwanis Youth Services were honored today by Safe Yakima Valley, which held its annual awards banquet.  The awards were given to honor citizens for their individual volunteer efforts toward making the valley a better and safer place to live and work.

Safe Yakima Valley Board Chairman Michael Moore says this year they focused on those who helped make it a safer future for young people.

Those honored today are"

Patrcia Whitefoot - Indian Education Director with the Toppenish School District

Javier Alvarez and Gane' Bourgeois- Program and Education Managers, Madison House

Corey and Gina Greaves - President and Co-Founder of Mending Wings

Stephanie Hsu- Director Yakima Music En Accion (YAMA)

Danielle Surkatty- Advocacy Chair, Zonta Club of Yakima Valley

Martin Ortiz-Radio Producer, KUNW Univision

John Cerna- Superintendent, Toppenish School District

Kiwanis Youth Services Committee

Manual Rangel- Vice Principal White Swan High School

Lt. Brian Winter-Yakima County Sheriff's Office

Dave Purcell-President Crime Stoppers

and Officer Benjamin Graves- Yakima Police Department and School Resource Officer at Eisenhower High School.

Max Bledsoe, nationally known parenting expert, and father of former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe was the featured speaker.