Chamber of Commerce hosts annual 'Spirit of Community' awards

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers HONORED- Teachers of the Year Vickie Prater of Agoura High School, left, and Allison Ginter of Lang Ranch Elementary School, center, are honored at the Spirit of Community Awards, presented by the Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Chamber Community Foundation. The event was last Thursday at Los Robles Greens Banquet Center. With them is the Chamber's chair of education, Madeline Hess. Many people were honored, including police and fire department personnel and members of the armed forces. About 150 people enjoyed desserts and good company last week when the Thousand OaksWestlake Village Community Foundation awarded the community's leading educators, volunteers, law enforcement, fire protection agencies, and armed forces for promoting and preserving economic vitality and safety.

Under the auspices of the Thousand OaksWestlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce, the foundation gathered everyone at the Los Robles Greens Banquet Center on Thurs., June 5.

Those attending, who included public officials, business people and charities, helped to fund the event through sponsorships, donations and the $27 ticket price.

"It's wonderful that there are so many volunteers and others who help the city run beautifully," said Planning Commissioner Daryl Reynolds.

The spring evening was lovely and the room was full. Tables laden with desserts lined the walls.

"I get excited at this event because it means so much to us to honor the people who work so hard for our community," said Chamber CEO Janet Levett.

Those who received Spirit of Community awards included Las Virgenes Unified School District Teacher of the Year Vickie Prater of Agoura High School; Conejo Valley Unified School District Teacher of the Year Allison Ginter of Lang Ranch Elementary School; Community Volunteer of the Year, Albert "Bud" Marley, EdD; and Nonprofit of the Year, Community Conscience.

Also receiving awards certificates were the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, Thousand Oaks Police Department; Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Malibu/Lost Hills Station; Los Angeles County Fire Department, Station No. 144; Los Angeles County Fire Department, Battalion 5; Ventura County Fire Department, Battalion 3; and Ventura County Fire Department, Station No. 30.

"We try to make sure the community is safe, and it's nice to see the job we do is appreciated- and the dessert is really good," said Lt. Robert Lewis, Malibu Lost Hills.

For outstanding service to local communities and the country, the Army, Air Force and Marines were honored.

"It's an honor to be here and be recognized and to know we are appreciated by this great community," said Sgt. Reggie Darden of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Chris Weber, 16, from Boy Scout Troop No. 775 of Westlake Village United Methodist Church said it was an honor for him to be in the color guard performing the flag ceremony at an event that honored so many people who are heroes to him.

"They help us all so much," Weber said.