The Napa Chamber Foundation along with The Mechanics Bank announced May 23rd at the First Annual Napa Valley Community Awards “Celebrating Community” luncheon that Hospice of Napa Valley had been voted the Outstanding Nonprofit Organization of the Year. The awards, which included additional categories Community Booster of the Year, Healthcare Professional and Public Safety Person of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Hospitality/Tourism Award; Nonprofit Employee of the Year and Napa Valley College Student of the Year were designed to recognize local community leaders, individuals and businesses for their outstanding leadership, contributions and/or achievements toward the betterment of communities of Napa Valley.

Hospice is a complete system of care and support available to people facing the end of life and their loved ones. The goal is to allow patients and families the highest quality of life possible for as long as possible.

“It’s a wonderful honor and we’re excited that the Chamber Foundation brings together these non profits and recognizes their contribution and commitment to the community,” said Christine Roth, Hospice director of development. “I’m part of the non profit community and I didn’t know about some of these other programs, such as The Table.”

Other award winners honored at the event were Jim Roberts for Outstanding Community Booster of the Year; Tiara Ellisen, RN, for Outstanding Healthcare Professional; Officer Aaron Michael Medina for Outstanding Public Safety Person; Laurie Gordon for Outstanding Hospitality/Tourism; Dana Cope for Teacher of the Year; Kealoha Keliikoa for Outstanding Nonprofit Employee of the Year; James Carter and Rachel Salas tied for Outstanding Napa Valley College Student of the Year, each student received a surprise $500 scholarship from the Napa Chamber Foundation and The Mechanics Bank.

“This is a good way to celebrate our community and all the people who make a difference,” said Napa Mayor Jill Techel, who with other government representatives handed awards and proclamations to the winners. “It’s exciting to see good work rewarded and to recognize all the other people who were nominated. This is the first year of the Community Awards and it will certainly build from here.”

Over 50 nominations were received and judged by a panel of community leaders. The event was presented as a partnership between the Napa Chamber Foundation and The Mechanics Bank.

The Napa Chamber Foundation is a non-profit, charitable foundation, established in 2006 through a donation from the Napa Chamber of Commerce. The Napa Chamber Foundation offers competitive grants to not-for-profit, charitable organizations throughout Napa County, which are consistent with the Napa Chamber of Commerce Mission and Five Year Vision. Its Board of Directors makes the Foundation’s funding decisions.