On Tuesday the County of Sonoma will present Jefferson Awards to two non-profit organizations and five individuals. The Jefferson Awards program is a national recognition system designed to highlight public service.
Established in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Senator Robert Taft, Jr., and others, the program was adopted by the County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors to highlight the value of non-profit organizations, boards, commissions, and advisory bodies, as well as individual efforts.
The 2009 honorees are:
- Becoming Independent for advocating for people with disabilities and providing a pathway to independence and personal fulfillment for women, men, and children with developmental disabilities in Sonoma County.
- Alexandra Carlson and Melissa Carlson for demonstrating youth leadership in the community by addressing the need for youth to be more involved, educated, inspired and engaged with their local ecology and to help with the preservation and conservation of the environment.
- Canine Companions for Independence for enhancing the lives of people with disabilities, helping them lead independent lives and providing highly trained assistance dogs
- Community leader Rev. James E. Coffee for his tireless effort to break down racial barriers and promote awareness of cultural diversity in Sonoma County.
- Foster parents Linda Lavery and Keith Travinsky for seeing the need for children entering foster care to have something to call their own. Today, every child entering emergency foster care in Sonoma County receives clothing, toys, comfort items and a place to keep them.
The Sonoma County Jefferson Awards will be presented at the Board of Supervisors meeting at 575 Administation Drive on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. followed by a brief reception outside the Board Chambers.