The David Ketchum American Legion Post No. 115 and three Wood River Valley businesses—Smith Sport Optics, Ketchum Kitchens and MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology)—were honored during the ninth annual Governor's Brightest Stars awards ceremony at Boise State University on Tuesday.
In addition, Girl Scout Service Unit No. 21 in Sun Valley; the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; students Dakota Barnes of Hailey, Ashton Lupton of Hailey, and Amara DiFrancesco of Sun Valley; Sun Valley Assistant Police Chief Mike Crawford; and Sun Valley resident John O'Connor received awards from the governor.
The ceremony, hosted by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and first lady Lori Otter, honored Idaho volunteers who provided public service to their communities.
The awards are presented by Serve Idaho, the Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism in partnership with Boise State University's Service-Learning Department. Sixty-seven individuals and groups were recognized for their outstanding volunteer efforts in six categories—Corporation, Small Business, Organization, School, Student and Individual.
The Ketchum American Legion Post won the Organization of the Year award. A news release from the governor's office stated that the post contributed "countless hours of community service" and inspired other citizens to step up and help. Organizations that benefited from the post's efforts included soup kitchens, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and those that serve the elderly.
MBT, a footwear manufacturer in Hailey, and retailer Ketchum Kitchens were recognized in the Small Business category. Ketchum Kitchens was nominated by former employee Amara DiFrancesco, who emphasized the business' role in hiring and mentoring local high school students, as well as providing flexible schedules to allow employees to volunteer their time.
Smith Sport Optics in Ketchum was recognized in the Corporations category. In an interview, Smith Communications Manager Greg Randolph said the company had been a sponsor of the Special Olympics and had donated sunglasses and goggles to elementary school ski programs, Sun Valley Adaptive Sports and the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation.
"We really do as much as we can philanthropically with the assets that we have," Randolph said.
Girl Scout Service Unit No. 21 and the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation won awards in the Organizations category.
DiFrancesco was highlighted as one of the star students of the year. Crawford and O'Connor won awards for being outstanding individuals.
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