December 22, 2011 - Look What We Got for Christmas!
December 1, 2011 - Siarra Edmondson Performs to Benefit Veterans
November 28, 2011 - Denise Stone Announced as Vice President of Client Services at Innovative Services NW
November 6, 2011 - Kathy Deschner Announced as Vice President of Development and Marketing at Innovative Services NW
October 19, 2011 - Innovative Services NW Receives $100,000 Grant for Foster Youth Transitions Program and Continuum of Care
October 14, 2011 - Innovative Services NW Receives CARF Accreditation
June 27, 2011 - Innovative Services NW Receives Community Giving Fund Grant Award
May 26, 2011 - Local Safeway employees give more than $100,000 to Innovative Services NW
March 8, 2011 - Innovative Services NW to Honor 9th Annual Caring Heart Award Winners
January 5, 2011 - Nomination Deadline for 9th Caring Heart Awards
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 22, 2011
Look What We Got for Christmas!
VANCOUVER, Washington - The HEDCO Foundation awarded Innovative Services NW a 50% matching grant for a brand new 2011 Sprinter Cargo van for Innovative's Custodial program. Thanks to the Dornsife Family Foundation, who donated a substantial amount of the match, Innovative Board Member Ron Torgensen and an anonymous donor who contributed to the match, Innovative was able to meet the requirements of the grant and purchase the brand new Van. The final cost of the vehicle was $43,157.25, which included a manufacturer's discount of $2,000, and McCoy Freightliner's dealer discount in the amount of $1335.00.
Innovative's Custodial Services Program helps adults with disabilities and other barriers train for and maintain meaningful jobs. Custodial services staff clean more than four million square feet on a weekly basis, while supporting 30 individuals with disabilities or disadvantages in employment or worker training.
The new 2011 Sprinter Cargo van is larger, and more appropriately equipped to transport custodial equipment for floor, window and carpet cleaning. In addition, it has more capacity to create efficiencies in the delivery of our cleaning services and it will dramatically reduce costly maintenance. According to Sheryl Roach, Director of Adult Services, "It's a dream come true for our field operations staff. They really look forward to using the van for their daily operations. By having the appropriate vehicle, we also look forward to increased efficiencies, more opportunities at additional work sites and increased revenue."
Innovative's Custodial Services Program operates one of the larger custodial businesses in Clark County and provides work opportunities to a significant number of adults with developmental disabilities. The exciting thing about this program is that it not only provides employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, but it also provides revenue to support Innovative's programs.
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 1, 2011
Siarra Edmondson Performs to Benefit Veterans
VANCOUVER, Washington – Siarra Edmondson is a 17 year old youth who participates in Innovative Services NW Transitions Program, which serves youth, 15 to 24 years of age, who have been or who are currently in foster care. Many of these youth not only overcome difficult and challenging obstacles themselves, they also manage to find ways to give back to others this holiday season. Siarra is doing just that -- she will be a featured performer at the local Clark County Veterans Court Board’s Christmas Concert, along with headliners such as Ricky Lee Jackson and Grammy Award winner Doug Smith. (More information about the concert is listed below.)
Siarra is no stranger to overcoming adversity. On the road to becoming a successful performer, Siarra has experienced multiple foster home placements, family instability, and a chronic seizure disorder that impairs her ability to think and function. Although she has been through a lot, Siarra finds ways to use her performances to help others, with an upbeat attitude and a joy for helping others. For the past several years, Siarra took on the role of a Hannah Montana tribute artist for Disney. As Hannah Montana, Siarra participated in performances benefiting Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon, and she also performed at the Clark County Fairgrounds on several occasions.
Siarra not only exemplifies the perseverance of a young woman who exited the foster care system, but on a daily basis continues to challenge herself to grow and learn. Siarra is truly a young woman who understands what it means to give back to the community.
The Christmas Concert for Vets will take place on Thursday, December 8, 2011 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm (doors open at 4:30), at the Dragonfly Café located at 1300 Franklin Street in Vancouver, Washington. Tickets are $15.00, and they are available online at: www.ClarkCountyVetsCourtBoard.org. To reserve tickets or for more information about the concert, please call (360) 693-7030.
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 28, 2011
Denise Stone Announced as Vice President of Client Services at Innovative Services NW
VANCOUVER, Washington – Innovative Services NW’s announced that Denise Stone has joined the organization as Vice President of Client Services. Denise is a native of Portland, and has been living in Vancouver for five years. She has been working in social services in Oregon and Washington for 12 years at the Community Development Network in Portland, and at Affordable Community Environments and Community Services Northwest in Clark County. She has a B. S. in Business Communications from the University of Portland, is a graduate of the Washington State Supportive Housing Institute, holding certificates of completion in Supportive Housing Programming and Community Organizing from NeighborWorks.
Denise has designed and implemented several programs that provide affordable housing and support services to individuals and families with high needs. She has formed successful partnerships with many service providers in Clark County. Denise is a member of the Boards of Directors of Columbia Nonprofit Housing and Second Step Housing. She is also an active volunteer with the Clark County Council for the Homeless Winter Hospitality Overflow program and, in the past, with their Emergency Shelter Clearinghouse.
The staff and board of Innovative are looking forward to working together with Denise and utilizing her expertise, skills, and experience. Denise can be reached at 360-823-4203 or email dstone@innovativeservicesnw.org.
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2011
Kathy Deschner Announced as Vice President of Development and Marketing at Innovative Services NW
VANCOUVER, Washington - Innovative Services NW’s announced that Kathy Deschner has been hired as the Vice President of Development and Marketing. Deschner has more than 30 years of experience in non-profit management, fundraising, marketing and community organizing. Deschner previously served as: Director of Development at Community Services Northwest; Streams of Mercy Campaign Director at Forward Edge International; and Director of Development and Communications at YWCA Clark County for nearly nineteen years.
Deschner is a lifelong resident of Clark County and serving her community has been the focus of her career and volunteer work. She is currently a Board Member of SELF (Support for Early Learning and Families); she was a founding member and served as Chair and Co-Chair of PREVENT! (A local substance abuse prevention coalition working to prevent substance abuse among youth for the past six years); and she is a Big Sister.
“I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to serve the children, families and adults with disabilities and other special needs who receive services through the programs at Innovative Services NW. I am honored to work with Innovative’s gifted and dedicated leadership team, board and staff.”
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 19, 2011
Innovative Services NW Receives $100,000 Grant for Foster Youth Transitions Program and Continuum of Care
VANCOUVER, Washington – Innovative Services NW announced this week that the Andrus Family Fund (AFF), an endeavor of the Surdna Foundation of New York, NY, has approved a grant of $100,000 over one year to fund their foster youth Transitions Program and its new project the Foster Youth Continuum of Care. The Surdna Foundation, established by John Emory Andrus in 1917, has assets of more than $700 million and is among the dozen largest family foundations in the country. AFF’s two main program areas are Foster Care to Independence and Community Reconciliation. Their passion is managing the emotional and psychological effects of the change process.
Innovative’s Transitions program currently serves youth, 15 to 24 years of age, who have been or who are currently in foster care. The program provides social emotional skill building, life planning, and self-advocacy training, as well as assisting youth in accessing resources in the areas of employment, education and housing support. A combination of individualized case management and group instruction help youth come to terms with change, in particular the changes inherent in aging out of the foster care system. Many foster youth face life on their own without basic survival tools and little or no family support. These youth face many challenges: Within two to four years of leaving the foster care system, only 50% of youth completed high school; fewer than half had jobs; 60% of the young women had given birth; and 25% had been homeless for at least one night, according to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Report. The Transitions Program will work to build a model of collaborative partnerships for a Foster Youth Continuum of Care in order to continue enhancing services and encourage and promote independence and self-sufficiency for foster youth in Clark County. The overall goal is to provide improved coordination of services and a shared network of information between foster youth continuum providers, and to track the network’s success with agreed upon measurement tools.
Chelsea Jackson, Transitions Program Coordinator remarked, “I can’t begin to express my gratitude and excitement surrounding all the support that our Transitions Program has received from local nonprofits and governmental agencies here in Southwest Washington. Many foster youth do not always receive the support they need and deserve when they age out of care. It is truly heartwarming to see all of the providers that are willing to unite as a solid front in tackling this issue. With our continued Andrus funding and the backing of our community partners, I have no doubt we will be able to make a huge difference in the lives of youth transitioning from the foster care into young adulthood in the future.”
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 14, 2011
Innovative Services NW Receives CARF Accreditation
VANCOUVER, Washington – Innovative Services NW, announced this week that their Custodial and Employment Services programs have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for a period of three years in Job Development, Job Supports, Job-Site Training and Employment Planning Services.
CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services that strives to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services. Achieving accreditation requires a service provider to commit to quality improvement, focus on the unique needs of each person the provider serves, and monitor the results of services. In August, 2011, CARF surveyors came to evaluate how Innovative Services NW’s Employment Services and Custodial Services, which specialize in employment opportunities for adults with disabilities or other disadvantages, meet CARF’s international standards. In addition to monitoring Innovative’s performance against more than four hundred CARF standards, they also spent two days thoroughly examining procedures and documentation as well as interviewing people who use Innovative’s services, their families, staff and others.
Brian Boon, President/CEO of CARF International stated, “This achievement is an indication of your organization’s dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of the persons served. Services, personnel, and documentation clearly indicate an established pattern of practice excellence.”
Launda Carroll, President/CEO of Innovative Services NW remarked, "Receiving the highest level of CARF Certification is an external recognition of Innovative's goal of continuous quality improvement in fulfilling our mission to assist individuals with disabilities, and other barriers to employment, find meaningful work and achieve their dreams."
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 27, 2011
Innovative Services NW Receives Community Giving Fund Grant Award
VANCOUVER, Washington- Innovative Services NW announces its Childcare program is the recipient of a $10,000 Community Giving Fund grant from the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington. The Childcare Staff Skills Enhancement project, funded by this grant, will establish a professional training program to help staff meet the unique special needs of all children served.
Working parents of children with special needs and low income families have few options for quality licensed childcare in Clark County. Innovative is one of the few inclusive programs that provides services to a significant number of children who are placed in the foster care system, are from low-income families, or are on Individualized Family Services Plans because of a developmental delay or diagnosed disability. To provide quality service and address the many challenges of this population, the Childcare staff will receive advanced training that utilizes evidence-based training tools and professional educators and therapists from Innovative's Pediatric Therapy Program.
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26, 2011
Local Safeway employees give more than $100,000 to Innovative Services NW
VANCOUVER, Washington-Innovative Services NW, a local nonprofit, proudly acknowledges the presentation of a check for $10,000 from the Safeway Foundation on behalf of the employees of the 16 Southwest Washington Safeway Stores that make up their District 73,. This recent gift brings the total amount of employee giving to over $107,000 over the last seven years.
Lambert Bourgo, District Manager of District 73, and Michael Brown, Store Manager of the Washougal Safeway Store, presented Innovative Services NW with the $10,000 check. “The employees of District 73 continue to choose to support the clients of Innovative Services NW because this organization is helping such a wide range of individuals in our community. Safeway employees have made the clients of Innovative Services NW a community priority because they are our customers too,” says Michael Brown. Funds contributed on behalf of the Safeway Foundation and employees of District 73 will be used to provide support to the clients of Innovative Services NW.
Financial contributions are one of many ways Safeway employees are supporting Innovative. Michael Brown has co-chaired Innovative’s annual golf tournament, the Pacific Lifestyle Homes Care Cup, presented by Safeway for the last seven years. The 2011 event will be held on June 17th at Camas Meadows Golf Club. Each year, Safeway store managers participate in the Care Cup, both as golfers and as volunteers. They also volunteer and attend other Innovative Services NW events.
Innovative Services NW Board member, Kevin Myles says, “We at Innovative are so grateful for friendships with organizations like Safeway. Their employees are compassionate and really driven to positively impact our community. There is certainly power in numbers. Thank you Safeway employees, for the tremendous commitment you have made to our clients and families.”
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 8, 2011
Innovative Services NW to Honor 9th Annual Caring Heart Award Winners
VANCOUVER, Washington-Innovative Services NW, a local nonprofit, will be recognizing the accomplishments of the 2011 Caring Heart Award winners at their annual Caring Heart Awards Dinner and Celebration on Saturday, March 26th at The Heathman Lodge in Vancouver. Established in 2003, the eight award categories acknowledge groups or individuals who are making a positive impact on the community. Award winners embrace a spirit of service in support of children, adults and families facing disabilities or disadvantages and have acted on their commitment to improving the quality of life for citizens of Clark County.
In addition to recognizing the 2011 award winners, this event also serves as a fundraiser for the clients and programs of Innovative Services NW. Revenue will be raised at this event through corporate sponsorships, donations and a gift basket silent auction.. Moreover, a $5,000 challenge match, provided by an anonymous donor, gives attendees the opportunity to maximize the impact of their donations made at the event.
Jody Campbell, Community Outreach Director for the Columbian, will provide the Welcome Address for the event. City Councilmember Larry Smith will be on hand to present the Vancouver U.S.A. Hometown Caring Heart Award.
Representatives from the Safeway’s District 73 plan to present a donation to Innovative Services NW on behalf of the district’s 1,658 employees. From 2005 through 2010, District 73 Safeway employees have contributed over $97,000 to support the clients and programs of Innovative Services NW.
There have been seventy-six local Caring Heart Award Winners. Past award winners include The Columbian, Steve and Jean Hix, The Heathman Lodge, Ron Frederiksen and Terry Murphy, Jeanne Firstenburg, Kevin and Nicki Wann of Pacific Lifestyle Homes, Beaches Restaurant and Bar, Dan Tonkovich, and former Mayor Royce Pollard. Rebroadcasts of the event will be available on CVTV Channel 23 throughout the month of March.
The March 26th event begins at 6pm with a reception and gift basket silent auction. Many of the gift baskets are spring themed and feature items for all ages. Packages include a “Suiteheart” package at The Heathman Lodge, golf for 2 at Camas Meadows Golf Club, and much more. All items have been donated and one-hundred percent of the proceeds of the gift basket sales will support the clients of Innovative Services NW. The awards program and dinner will begin at 7pm.
The Caring Heart Award Winners
Lori Gregory is receiving the Children’s Caring Heart Award. Lori is the proud owner and operator of Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas. She and her daughter, Shannon, began doing visitations with their llama, Rojo, after completing their animal-assisted therapy certification three and a half years ago. Mountain Peaks became an official business a year and a half later, when her therapy llama hobby became a full time obsession due to increased visitations and special event requests. Two additional llamas, Smokey and Beni, and one little alpaca, Napoleon, have since joined their program. The Mountain Peaks llamas have made over 300 visits to local schools, hospitals, rehab facilities, and senior communities in the Portland/Vancouver area. They have received recognition in many local and international publications and the therapy program has been featured nationally on the “Better” television program, and in “Hobby Farms” magazine. Rojo was originally purchased for Shannon, as a 4-H project, nine years ago. Lori says that Shannon definitely deserves all the credit for training Rojo, and her enthusiasm to share him within the community has greatly impacted Lori’s involvement and the development of their business and volunteer work.
Meredith Hardin is receiving the Employment Caring Heart Award for her work as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind. As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Meredith is performance driven and empowering, helping to enhance customer’s skills to make actual, tangible differences in the lives of the newly and long-term blind and visually-impaired consumers she serves. Meredith uses creativity, strong knowledge of resources and regulations, and a deep-seated conviction in the abilities of blind and visually-impaired clients to open closed doors, raise levels of access, and improve functionality. With co-workers, Meredith arranged for nationally recognized presenters and local professionals to meet and interact with blind clients at a job readiness seminar for Vancouver area job seekers. She partners with Dress for Success and to provide work appropriate apparel for those who lack such resources. Most recently, Meredith partnered with Innovative Services NW on the first ever internship program geared to place job ready, visually impaired or blind clients at Innovative. The internship, allowed one visually impaired and one blind individual to work in a competitive setting for a specified period of months. The opportunity allowed these two experienced, job seekers to better secure permanent employment through gaining necessary job experience. Her passion is creating links between agencies, community resources and clients.
Kay Parks is receiving the Community Advocacy Caring Heart Award. Over the past 30 years, Kay has shown a true commitment to service in the lives of those in our community affected by developmental disabilities. She has lived in Vancouver for over 41 years and she and her husband have owned and operated RW Sales Office Furniture for more than 25 years. In the 1970’s, Kay joined with Judy Marick to help create the PRIDE (Parents Receiving Intensive Developmental Education) program at the Arc. The program focuses on teaching parents how to incorporate physical and speech therapies into everyday routine. As part of groups and committees, Kay worked to create new programs and led the way to inclusive environments that include the participant having a choice in which environment they would like to be in. Kay’s greatest pleasure has been the development of Teammates, a program that provides a housing option for people with developmental disabilities. Kay, working with a number of other organizations, partnered with IERR, a nonprofit residential developer, to provide affordable homes in Clark County for 51 individuals over the past 15 years. She has been serving on the Arc of Clark County’s Board of Directors for 15 years and is a former Board Chair. She also serves on a variety of other committees throughout the county and is involved with many innovative special projects of her own design. Kay traces the history of her passion and commitment to people with disabilities back to the birth of her son, Cody, 36 years ago. Cody was born with Down Syndrome. She believes that all people have the right to achieve a lifetime of success and all of us have the responsibility to use our gifts to make that happen.
The Ray Hickey Foundation is receiving the Development Caring Heart Award. Ray Hickey was the son of an ore-miner and homemaker who took a job with Tidewater Barge Lines after leaving the US Marine Corp at the end of World War II. Ray started as a deck-hand, receiving training in diesel mechanics, but through determination he rose to become general manager in 1970, president of the company in 1977 and eventually purchased Tidewater in 1983. Ray sold Tidewater in 1996 and went on to launch The Ray Hickey Foundation, which helped him use the wealth he created to help others. Hickey supported the YWCA Clark County, the Columbia Land Trust and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, among many others, with large contributions. A consistent supporter of the YWCA, he gave a $1 million dollar gift to set up the Ray Hickey Endowment for Children to support the ongoing services of the YWCA. Ray has also generously supported Southwest Washington Medical Center’s Hospice House, which is named for him. In 2002, he and his family donated $1.5 million toward the project, ensuring its construction, and two years ago Ray committed an additional $3 million for an endowment to assure all patients have access to the Ray Hickey Hospice House and as a lead gift for a second hospice house. The Hickey family's gifts also include a $2.5 million to establish the Ray Hickey Chair for Pediatric Research at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. The Ray Hickey Foundation has been an active supporter of Innovative Services NW for a number of years. By providing matching grants for events such as the Caring Heart Awards and The Care Affair, their leadership gifts helped leverage gifts and support from other local businesses, organizations and individuals. Ray Hickey passed away last April. A true philanthropist, he contributed more than $30 million to support local projects and causes and was, as the Columbian referred to him, a “Beloved Benefactor.”
Mike and Nancy Gaston are receiving the Board of Directors Caring Heart Award. Through Mike and Nancy’s community service, they make a lasting difference in the lives of countless people throughout Vancouver and surrounding areas. Mike mentors AP Chemistry students at local high schools and has been a Lunch Buddy at Hazel Dell Elementary School for 12 years. As former President of the Rotary Club of Greater Clark County, Mike spearheaded a project to place Automated External Defibrillators in local schools, libraries, and other public places; he also served as one of several Rotary District Governors. Additionally, Mike has served on many local non-profit boards. Both he and Nancy are also very involved with Habitat for Humanity. Nancy directed the Volunteer Center for Clark County, Neighbors In-Deed volunteer chore service, a volunteer-staffed telephone crisis line and a congregational lay ministry program. Nancy is currently the President of the Assistance League of SW Washington, on the committee on Volunteerism for Oregon Volunteers, a Lunch Buddy and a classroom volunteer for Innovative Services NW. Mike and Nancy are true stewards for our community and Innovative Services NW is honored to have been a recipient of their time and talents.
John McDonagh is receiving the Chairman of the Board Caring Heart Award. John gives selflessly of his time and talents to our community. John has lived in Vancouver with his wife, Anne, since 1975. After a 26 year career at the Columbian newspaper, growing from Advertising Sales Representative to Vice President of Marketing and Advertising, John left the newspaper in 2001 for a brief excursion to Portland where he was part of the startup management team of the Portland Tribune. He left the Portland Tribune for the opportunity to purchase the Vancouver Business Journal which he now publishes. John’s community involvement has long been tied to his family. Other organizations and committees he has been involved with include the City of Vancouver Civil Service Commission, the Chamber of Commerce, WSU Vancouver Communication Advisory Board, and Share Homeless Shelters, among many others. John currently serves on various boards in Clark County. John was also instrumental during Innovative Services NW’s successful capital campaign to build the Mary Firstenberg Family Center, the home of Innovative Services NW. John helped create much needed relationships within the community by graciously calling upon his contacts, who in turn were inspired by John’s passion to help. His endless community support is driven by his gratitude for what our community has provided him and his family for over three decades. John credits his parents as providing the greatest impact on his life, although he has had the blessing of having many people of character with whom he has been close and who have contributed to his formation as a person, father and community member.
Jeanne Kojis is receiving the EveAnn Classen Leadership Caring Heart Award for her tireless work with Clark County’s nonprofit organizations. Jeanne has lived in Vancouver since 1984 and has a degree in Communications and Nonprofit Management. Her passion for helping people make their dreams of a better community real through nonprofits began early in life. Jeanne, at 16 years old, was involved with many community projects including some that were environmental in nature, a hunger relief walk, and a drug hotline. It was during that time she learned that, if a group of people lean forward together, you can change communities, as well as yourself, for the better. Since then, Jeanne’s dream has only grown as has her volunteerism. Before helping to begin the Evergreen School District Foundation, Jeanne worked with a group of parents to provide more advanced educational options for children in local schools and across the state. As the driving force behind Northwest Writing Services, Jeanne helped numerous agencies throughout Clark County find funding for invaluable programs through grant writing, relationship-building with foundations, and through increasing community awareness of, and visibility for, the nonprofits with which she worked. She has been involved with the United Way of the Columbia Willamette, Human Services Council, Women in Action Foundation, YWCA of Clark County, and Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Foundation, among others. She is currently the Executive Director of the Nonprofit Network of Southwest Washington which works to establish an infrastructure of support for local nonprofits. Given all of Jeanne’s successes and her passion for community, it is her husband John and their three daughters who have had the greatest impact on her life. Through them, she has learned that all actions can be truly transformative when you are rooted in love.
Betty Sue Morris is receiving the Vancouver USA Hometown Caring Heart Award. Betty Sue, through a life of service, sets a community philanthropic example for others. Betty Sue moved to Vancouver 38 years ago and has been a hospital community affairs director, news reporter, and teacher before beginning her 20 year career in public office. She spent eight years in the Washington State Legislature and the past 12 as a Clark County Commissioner. During her time in the legislature, Betty Sue was able to re-vamp the state’s juvenile justice statute to focus on prevention and treatment rather than incarceration and to secure funding for battered women’s programs. She expanded the community’s commitment to public parks, actively developed the Clark County Public Health Department, assisted in forming the Regional Council of Governments to provide senior services, and initiated the five county Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board to preserve and expand endangered salmon runs. However, Betty Sue counts raising a daughter and son as her greatest accomplishments and is very proud of them both. She and her husband, Bill began their volunteer work in the mid ‘70’s, when they started the Hazel Dell Gazette, a small volunteer newspaper with a commitment to only print good news about people and activities in the area. Personally, Betty Sue credits her parents, most especially her mother, who just turned 99 and is a constant friend and champion, as having some of the greatest impact on her life. Also, her father, who always taught Betty Sue to be a part of her community, be generous in the giving of money, and to always give her best.
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 5, 2011
Nomination Deadline for 9th Caring Heart Awards
VANCOUVER, Washington- Innovative Services NW will be accepting nominations for the 9th Annual Caring Heart Awards until Wednesday, January 12, 2011. The Caring Heart Awards recognize groups or individuals who are making a positive impact on the community. Award winners embrace a spirit of service in support of children, adults and families facing disabilities or disadvantages and have acted on their commitment to improving the quality of life for citizens of Clark County.
There are eight Caring Heart Award categories and nomination forms may be downloaded from the Innovative Services NW website at www.innovativeservicesnw.org. Award winners will be announced in Mid-February and will be recognized at the Caring Heart Awards Dinner and Celebration on March 26, 2011 at The Heathman Lodge in Vancouver.