Article Contributed on: 2/24/2007 1:13:17 PM
A dream of 15 years finally became reality on January 20, 2007, when Denver #17 Elk Lodge conducted their first Community Awards Night. Hundreds of hours of communication with the Denver Mayor's office and officials from Denver's service departments came to fruition when the accomplishments of nine Denver City and County employees were recognized at the awards ceremony.
More than one hundred people, including awardees, their family members and friends, State and National Elk representatives and lodge officers and members gathered as Denver 17's Community Relations Chairman read the accomplishments of the nine impressive individuals, and then presented each with a plaque to remind them that we are grateful for their service to our community. We humbly thank those who are charged with the protection, education, health and welfare of our youth, our citizens and our veterans who live in Denver.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks is a fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of our community, our children and our veterans, as demonstrated through scholarships, youth activities, drug awareness educational programs and numerous events held especially for military veterans. Our motto, "Elks Care and Elks Share", integrates the principles of Charity, Brotherly Love, Justice and Fidelity. On January 20, 2007, during the Community Awards Night, the award recipients were recognized for upholding the same principles that we, as Elks, believe in so deeply.
Sergeant Paul Murphy, from the Denver County Sheriff's Department, was recognized as the Sheriff's Deputy of the Year for 2006, because of his professionalism and heroism in the line of duty.
Doug Golden, from the Department of Human Services, was recognized as the City and County Employee of the Year for 2006, due to his never-ending assistance to the community's homeless veterans.
Homicide Detective Martin Vigil, from the Denver Police Department, was recognized as Denver Policeman of the Year for 2006, for his investigation into, and the successful conviction of, Detective Donnie Young's murderer.
Charmaine Keeton, of the Denver Public School System, was recognized as Denver's Teacher of the Year for 2006, for her ability to stretch the minds of her students and teach them to "reach for the stars" through education.
Kyle Roodberg, from the Denver Paramedic Division of Denver General Hospital, was recognized as Denver's EMT of the Year for 2006, for his leadership, superior clinical skills and developing the paramedic bike team concept.
Jerry Dunn, from the Denver Fire Department, was recognized as Denver's Firefighter of the Year for 2006, not only because of his distinguished career as a firefighter, but also for his volunteerism and leadership in caring for adolescent burn survivors through the Fire Fighters Burn Foundation and Children's Hospital.
Drew O'Conner, from Denver's Capitol Hill United Neighbors, was recognized as the Denver Citizen of the Year for 2006, because of his ability to incorporate the diversified residents of the Capitol Hill Neighborhood into solving the problems of homelessness, safety and making that area a better place to live.
The Denver Employee Volunteer Opportunities Organization was recognized as Volunteers of the Year for 2006, for coordinating the volunteer efforts of nearly 400 city employees in various efforts as they "gave back" to the Denver community, making it a better place, one project at a time.
At the conclusion of the evening's festivities, one person stated that he felt he had made ordinary people feel that they were, indeed, important; that his life's work had accomplished something in the eyes of others, even if only for a couple of hours.