Chamber presents awards at annual celebration

'Spirit of

Community' honors diverse

contributions

The fourth annual Spirit of Community awards celebration was presented by Amgen and the Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Community Foundation, a part of the Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce, at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza on Fri., June 9.

The color guard from Boy Scout Troop 775 of the United Methodist Church of Westlake Village, led by Senior Patrol Leader Chris Weber, presented the colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Doc Dewberry of Dewberry Entertainment provided musical accompaniment, while Judi Irwin, chairman of the Thousand OaksWestlake Village Community Foundation, acted as the mistress of ceremonies.

Amgen, the event title sponsor, was represented by Mary Oeffling, associate director of corporate communications. Thousand Oaks Mayor Dennis Gillette and Westlake Village Mayor Susan McSweeney, along with representatives from local legislative offices, were in attendance to honor the many public servants present.

From the armed forces, the foundation honored Lt. Col. George B. Cardwell, the wing executive officer with the 146 Air Lift Wing of the Air Force, and LN1 Shannon Miller of the Navy Legal Services Office.

The award of Community Volunteer of the Year went to Irish John Gore for his tireless efforts to help the less fortunate in the Conejo Valley, primarily through the Thousand Oaks Kiwanis Club and Community Conscience.

The Thousand Oaks Police Department, represented by Commander Dennis Carpenter, Capt. Gary Pentis, and several officers, were presented with a gift basket, legislative recognition, and thanks from Gillette and Thousand Oaks City Councilmembers Tom Glancy and Jacqui Irwin.

From the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Malibu/ Lost Hills Station, Sgt. Jim Royal, Capt. Tom Martin, Dep. Shawn Brownell and Dep. Robert De Santis also received a gift basket, legislative recognition, and thanks from McSweeney and Westlake Village City Councilmembers Jim Bruno and Philippa Klessig.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Reginald Lee, Capt. Rick Pfeiffer and firefighters from Station No. 144 were honored from the city of Westlake Village. Fire Chief Robert Roper, Battalion Chief Ken Maffei, Capt. Barry Parker, Information Office of the Ventura County Fire Department, and Fire Marshall Diane Morgan, along with firefighters throughout Thousand Oaks, received thanks for their service.

The awards for Teacher of the Year were given to educators from the two school districts serving the cities of Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village. Steve Smith from Lindero Canyon Middle School received his award from Dr. Sandra Smyser, Las Virgenes Unified School District superintendent. Nancy Schroeder from Thousand Oaks High School, who was recognized by Dr. Robert Fraisse, superintendent of the Conejo Valley Unified School District.

For more information, call the Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce at (805) 370-0035.