The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Foundation hosted a recognition and appreciation dinner on April 19 for the dedicated men and women who volunteer with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

This annual event has become a means for the community to say thank you to the people who give so much of their time and energy in service to all of us.

Deputy Fanny Lapkin and Law Enforcement Technician Maricela Ramirez registered approximately 115 guests including volunteers, Explorers, Youth Activity League teens, sworn officers and other guests.

The venue, as in past years, was the Education Building of the Child & Family Center of Santa Clarita. A delicious dinner was prepared and presented by Brenda’s Casamia Catering.

Following the dinner, Ken Wiseman, president of the SCV Sheriff’s Foundation, opened the program by welcoming the volunteers and other guests.

Wiseman introduced SCV Sheriff’s Station Captain Robert Lewis, who expressed gratitude for the volunteers, saying that they have helped the city of Santa Clarita save more than $303,000 per year.

Lewis explained that without volunteers he would have to utilize paid deputies for the volunteers’ jobs. He thanked the Sheriff’s Foundation for hosting the dinner and for their unwavering support of the SCV Sheriff’s Station.

Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste thanked the volunteers for dedicating their skills and committing their time in service to the Santa Clarita community. She reminded them that the hours they put in, are what makes our city the safe place to live, work and play that we all enjoy.

Captain Lewis and Deputy Lapkin presented certificates and pins to Volunteer of the Year Kristeen Dolan; Disaster Communications Services Volunteer of the Year James Spalding; Volunteer on Patrol of the Year Eliot Yaffe; Search and Rescue Volunteer of the Year Fred Smith; and Explorer of the Year Ryan Handy.

Several additional volunteers received awards for hours served, most notably Reinhard Schnepp, Volunteer on Patrol, who has contributed 5,000 hours. LA Police Gear generously provided gifts for the volunteers. Each volunteer received a baseball cap imprinted with an American flag and the words “Heroes Welcome” with a blue line in honor of Peace Officers.

Teens from the Youth Activity League of Val Verde, directed by Deputy Brian Rooney, skillfully served the dinner guests, bussed the tables and cleaned up. The group included Yasmeen Garcia, Lorena Domrique, Cristal Narciso, Juan Narciso, Yani Rincon, and Daisy Sanchez.

Deputy Rooney will distribute Certificates of Appreciation to them, signed by Ken Wiseman and Captain Lewis. The Explorers were extremely helpful in setting up and breaking down the tables and their efforts were sincerely appreciated.

Other SCV Sheriff’s Foundation members in attendance included Jim Biscailuz, Cookie Diaz, Neil Fischer, Mike Delorenzo, Donald Spiller, Bruce Fortine, Gloria Mercado-Fortine, and Foundation Advisors Lieutenant Justin Diez and Deputy Kevin Duxbury.

Toward the end of the program, an opportunity drawing was held and some great gifts were given away.

The guests were very complimentary of the event, especially the delicious meal and the inspiring talks by Captain Lewis and Mayor Weste.

The dinner was sponsored by the SCV Sheriff’s Foundation Board members and by Waste Management Corporation. Many thanks to them for a very successful event.