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Gaddi Vasquez presents "Others Award" at Orange County Salvation Army's annual Spirit Awards civic dinner
Gaddi Vasquez presents "Others Award" at Orange County Salvation Army's annual Spirit Awards civic dinner
Salvation Army gets a salute
By DONNA BUNCE
Special to the Register
There's something about the sound of bagpipes that thrills the soul, and the Orange County Fire Authority Bagpipe and Drum Band did just that Friday night at the Salvation Army's annual Spirit Awards civic dinner at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.
Sharon Morrison, chairwoman of the organization's Orange County Advisory Board, welcomed the 400 guests and introduced featured speaker Jim Towey, deputy assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives. Towey said of the Salvation Army's work, "I think one of the best parts of my job is the ability to go out and visit the programs that are turning lives around and making a difference, and the Army does it with such humility and sincerity."
Master of ceremonies Ed Arnold of KOCE-TV recognized Salvation Army leaders Al and Sherryl Van Cleef, both lieutenant colonels, for their 43 and 45 years of service, respectively.
The awards included: Volunteer of the Year, presented by Fire Chief Chip Prather to Tom Bay; Heroes of the Faith, to James and Audrie Taylor and Jeremy Fraser; Spirit of the Army, presented by Santa Ana Unified School District Superintendent Al Mijares to Santa Ana High School's American Red Cross Club, with Principal Dan Salcedo accepting; William Booth Award, presented by Salvation Army Maj. George Hood to Don Gilchrist; and the Others Award, presented by Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez to Don and Dorothy Kennedy.
The event raised $50,000.