The Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors' Bureau and the Hailey Chamber of Commerce have jointly selected the recipients of the 2009 Wood River Valley Community Awards.
The awards recognize outstanding contributions to the community by individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations. The seven winners will be honored at a special cocktail reception at the Elkhorn Springs restaurant in Elkhorn on Friday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m.
The winners are:
· Arts Advocate of the Year: Company of Fools theater group, for providing the community "with outstanding, quality performances throughout the year" and teaching valley youths about drama and theater.
· Environmental Advocate of the Year: Elizabeth Jeffrey, the resident advisor to the Hailey Environmental Leadership Program for the city of Hailey. She organized the Help Hailey 2008 competition for both businesses and residences to reduce, reuse and recycle.
· Citizen of the Year: Kim Garvin, owner of Vintage Gypsy retail store in Hailey, for being "a driving force behind staging of the major holiday and non-holiday events in Hailey."
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· Business of the Year: Webb Landscaping, one of the five largest employers in the valley, for company policies that benefit its employees and the community.
· Nonprofit of the Year: Blaine County Hunger Coalition, for providing food assistance services to the needy in Blaine County.
· Youth Citizen of the Year: Dakota Barnes, a sophomore at Wood River High School, for being "an outstanding example of youth leadership, achievement and volunteer contribution."
· Service Individual of the Year: Kim Coonis, executive director of the Blaine County Senior Connection.
The cost of the awards reception is $25 per person. Reservations can be made by contacting Nichole Britt at the Sun Valley/Ketchum CVB: 725-2103.