On Tuesday, June 5, the Snoqualmie Valley Community Network honored community members for their outstanding volunteer efforts in the Snoqualmie Valley, at the 16th annual Rise & Shine Breakfast: Honoring those who rise to the occasion and make the Valley shine. Among the awards presented were two legacy awards and a new award, named for former network director Kristy Trione, the Community Partnership Award.

Davin and Sue Henrikson, owners of Kokopeli Gardens in Duvall, received the inaugural Community Partnership Award for their work with local youth to provide healthy social alternatives and activities for Halloween and other events. They have shared their time and their business as a site for many youth activities and are active in the local community theater.

Carly Christensen, a Cedarcrest High School senior, received the 2012 Youth Legacy Award, for her leadership and commitment to healthy youth. She is a founding member of the Riverview Youth Council, as well as a member of the Snoqualmie Valley Community Network board.

Trione herself received the 2012 Professional Legacy Award, for her 10 years of dedication to growing the network and the Healthy Youth Coalition. Trione stepped down as the network director earlier this year, when she left the area to pursue a farming career in Costa Rica.

Fall City’s Angela Donaldson was among the Rise and Shine honorees, in recognition of her deep commitment to various Valley organizations, including the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber, Fall City Days, PTSA and the Duvall Chamber of Commerce. She is also a Snoqualmie Valley flood advocate.

Sandi Britt, a dedicated clothing bank volunteer and Kiwanis member was honored for her service. She also bakes birthday cakes for every child at the Echo Glen Children’s Center, a juvenile detention center.

For her hard work and compassion, Sandy Conway was honored. She coordinates emergency shelter for people, and helps provide utility or rent assistance to people in need. She also distributes meals and excess food between organizations. Conway also bakes goodies for wounded soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Founder of the Snoqualmie Valley Venturing Crew #115, Kim Ferree, was recognized for giving high-school-aged kids the opportunity to support local organizations, and feel comfortable doing it, according to his nomination, by Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson. “Kimʼs commitment to the kids and program is genuinely inspiring,” Larson concluded.

Cascade View Elementary School volunteers Monica Niemela and Sue Korol were nominated for their active participation in education, both in the classroom and in supportive ways such as organizing fundraisers.

Encompass Board Member Keri Bailey and staffer Stacey Cepeda were also recognized, Bailey for her 10-year commitment to the organization and her leadership in expanding programming to the community, and Cepeda for her whole-hearted dedication to the Snoqualmie Valley Little League, as well as the Challenger program, pairing special-needs children with “buddies” to help them practice and play baseball.

Elvira Zoller-Knecht received the award for her positive attitude and organization as a volunteer at the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital, in the billing office.

Other honorees included: Brandi Painter for her work with Northwest Arts Center; the Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation; Nancy Perry for her involvement with schools and PTAs in the Riverview School District; Kellie Eaton, a volunteer bringing music to students in the Riverview School District; Kelley Houser, an 18-year volunteer with the PTA at Cherry Valley and Tolt Middle Schools; Austin Koons, a Cedarcrest High School senior who  has become a community leader already, through efforts like his friendship bench for Duvall’s sister city in Korea, for which he won his Eagle award;

Sara Ullman, a founding member and contributor to the Riverview Youth Council; Jamey Tisdale, for his efforts in establishing a new Boy Scout troop for youth in the Riverview School District; and Snoqualmie Valley Community Network board member Paula Matthysse for her knowledge and passion for the Network’s efforts.

The Snoqualmie Valley Community Network Board of Directors includes president Steve Bates, vice-president Ken Heikkila, treasurer Laurie Minaglia, secretary Leanne Christensen, and board members Nela Cumming, Carly Christensen, Tom Athanases, Molly Jensen and Lori Hollasch.

Established in 1994, the community-based, volunteer Networks empower local communities to help improve the lives of children and families

in their communities, and provide recommendations for policy changes to improve state and local child and family serving systems. Learn more at www.snoqualmievalleycommunitynetwork.org.