Community spirit awards given

On June 8 at the Los Robles Greens Banquet Center, the Thousand OaksWestlake Village Community Foundation awarded the community's leading educators, volunteers, public safety employees and armed forces personnel for promoting and preserving economic vitality and safety.

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," T.O. Planning Commissioner Daryl Reynolds said.

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 T.O-Westlake Chamber CEO Janet Levett.

Those who received Spirit of Community awards include 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; 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 our communities and our nation, 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," Marine First Sgt. Reggie Darden said.

Chris Weber, 16, from Boy Scout Troop 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.