The 2017 Linda Nelson Community Champion Awards were presented on June 9, 2017 by the Skagit County Child and Family Consortium.
Award recipients received a special hummingbird carving gifted from a local artist, Kevin Paul.
The hummingbird generally symbolizes joy and playfulness, as well as adaptability.
Symbolically, the hummingbird also represents: lightness of being ~ enjoyment of life ~ being more present ~ independence ~ lifting up negativity ~ swiftness, the ability to respond quickly ~ resiliency.
All these characteristics and more are represented in our award recipients. Congratulations to you all and thank you for your commitment to children and families in Skagit County!
Randi Breuer
Randi works full time as the YMCA Oasis Daylight Center (ODLC) Coordinator. Her role involves supervising a drop-in facility where youth 13-17 years old access meals, showers, clothing, and participate in social, educational and recreational workshops. She is also chair of Skagit PFLAG and heavily involved in their training. Through this work and in her service to youth at ODLC, Randi demonstrates a deep compassion and respect for her colleagues, for youth, and for the LGBTQ community as a whole.
~Nomination by Katie Lohman
Jose Ortiz
Jose Ortiz is the director of the Tri-Parish Food Bank at St. Charles Church in Burlington, WA. Jose doesn’t just provide food for many families in Skagit County, he provides a sense of community by serving hot food and beverage and inviting people to linger. He fosters volunteerism from all over the state of Washington, and brings awareness to migrant workers and their families. Jose is one of the most humble, unsung heroes in our community.
~Nomination by Mary Allen
Pat Holloran
Pat Holloran began her lifelong work in Early Childhood Education after graduating with a BA in Child Development from Connecticut College in 1973 and with a Master’s in Education and Teaching from WWU in 1995. Pat joined the Skagit Preschool and Resource Center’s team over 36 years ago. Her various roles through the decades include preschool teacher, daycare director, birth to three teacher and coordinator, educational program director, and executive director since June 2007. Pat Holloran is truly one of the kindest, most caring individuals in our community. Her compassion towards others extends beyond the parameters of her role at SPARC and reaches far across our county.
~Nomination by Heather Milliren