LAKE COUNTY >> Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05) formally announced Ginny Craven as this year’s Woman of the Year in Lake County. Thompson accepted nominations in February from across the Fifth Congressional District for his annual awards honoring women who make exceptional impacts in our community.
“Ginny has truly improved the lives of thousands, working hard to serve our men and women in uniform when they are deployed and when they come home,” said Thompson. “A member of numerous organizations that serve military members, veterans, and their families, she is also the founder of Operation Tango Mike, which has provided more than 20,000 care packages to men and women in uniform overseas. Ginny is a true testament to the difference one person in public service can make and I am honored to present her with this award.”
Best known for her work with Operation Tango Mike, Craven has helped ship thousands of care packages to deployed military personnel in its 15 years. Packages go out every month, monetary and item donations are always accepted. OTM hosts packing parties on the third Thursday of the month at Umpqua Bank in Lakeport. For more information on how to get involved, visit operationtangomike.org.
This is the fourth annual Woman of the Year Awards, started in honor of Women’s History Month. Each year, Thompson selects one woman from each of the counties in our district to be recognized for her service to our community.
A complete list of the 2018 winners includes:
o Tamara Jones, Napa County
o Detective Connie Van Putten, Contra Costa County
o Ginny Craven, Lake County
o Sharon McGriff Payne, Solano County
o Susan Moore, Sonoma County
o Dr. Jennifer Gonzalez, special posthumous award presented to her family
o Dr. Jennifer Golick, special posthumous award presented to her family
o Christine M. Loeber, special posthumous award presented to her family
