LAKE COUNTY — Lake County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) hosted its inaugural “Because of You” public service awards program. Awards were presented on Dec. 10 at Clearlake City Hall.
The purpose of the program is to recognize sponsors, donors and community members who are making a positive difference and believe in human and civil rights for all.
“This is our way of saying ?thank you” to our honorees for their support of the Lake NAACP mission to ensure the political, educational, social and economical equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination,” Lake County chapter President Rick Mayo said. “We are looking forward to recognizing more Lake County citizens.”
Mayo said the organization will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year. “We hope to have a good show of support for our organization,” Mayo said. “We hope people get involved and become a member of the oldest, most revered civil rights organization in the world. Together we can move mountains; divided we move nothing.”
Sponsor awards were presented to the Clearlake Park Association, Lake Pharmacy, Foods, Etc., Lakeview Market & Deli, Kelseyville Lumber, Four Corners Builders Supply, Gary Nylander and Hardester”s Market.
Certificate of appreciation honorees included: Bruno”s Foods, Girlfriends, William MacDougall, Diamond Cleaning & Recycling, Kuts by Kevie, Spoil Me Rotten, Steve Lodwig; Without a Net (band), Kevin Ness Jewelers, City of Clearlake Mayor Joyce Overton and Vice Mayor Joey Luiz; Clearlake Police Department director of Volunteers in Policing Vicki Estrella; Clearlake City Clerk Melissa Swanson; Public Works Director Douglas Herren; Julie Burrow (city staff) and Perfect Printers.
Special award recipients included: Kelly Cox, Lake County Administrative Officer; John Drummond, Lake County Office of Education; Johnnie and James Black; Josey Smith, Clarence Wright, Sr. and Aqeela El-Amin Bakheit.
The award committee consisted of Robert Harrison, Catherine Repetski, Bessie Bell, Jim Swatts and Chairman Kenneth Bagsby.
