Residents, businesses honored at mayor's banquet
Mayor Tony Berget, left, and Libby Area Chamber of Commerce president Dave Friedman present Charlotte Woods with the Volunteer of the Year Award.
Nearly two dozen Libby residents and businesses were honored with awards Friday night at the annual Mayor's Thanksgiving Banquet.
Gayla Benefield received the Medal of Valor for her work to raise awareness of the asbestos contamination left behind by W.R. Grace when it closed its vermiculite mining operations in 1990 and for her efforts as an advocate for victims of asbestos-related disease.
Distinguished Service Awards went to St. John's Lutheran Hospital social worker Laura Sedler, who was honored for her work with St. John's Hospice and breast cancer awareness programs; and to Ralph Stever of Flathead Valley Chemical Dependency for his efforts to prevent youth drug and alcohol abuse.
Seven Volunteer of the Year Awards were presented. They went to Cherie Gunderson for her work with Boy Scouts and Combined Campaign; Rick Vogel for his efforts with the KJRZ radio station; Charlotte Woods for her time spent visiting residents at Libby Care Center and collecting food for Libby Food Pantry; John Desch for his work with Nordicfest and Rotary; and Jim and Julie Shadle for their help with Nordicfest and the Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River bicycle ride, which benefits Habitat for Humanity.
The Community Thrift Store received the Organization of the Year Award for raising funds for a number of local charities.
Residential beautification awards went to Cathy Burrell of 413 W. Fourth St. and John and Carol Klag of 724 N. Colorado Ave.
Commercial beautification awards were given to Rivermist Home Decor, Cabinet Mountain Furniture, Dr. Terry Patrick's Family Eye Care Center, Libby Sports Center, Country Potting Shed, Cabinet Mountain Chevrolet and Frames Unlimited.
Youth Service Awards, for local Eagle Scouts, were given to Kyle Baker, Stuart Rios and Richard Brumbaugh.