Wayne Thomas, Tharpes, earn top awards at SCAYD volunteer gala

By Jud Snyder

An overflow crowd gathered in DoubleTree Hotel Saturday night for the second annual Community Volunteer award presentations. Sponsored by Sonoma County Adult and Youth Development (SCAYD), based in Rohnert Park, the benefit auction, banquet dinner, award ceremonies and dancing to the music of Blue Moon, crammed a lot of schmoozing, table-hopping and excitement into its three-hour show.

Wayne Thomas was named Volunteer of the Year. His award was presented by Janet Callinan, last year's winner.

Earning the Lifetime Achievement honor were Rev. Sam Tharpe and his wife, Joy. They received the trophy from Tony Stavale, last year's winner.

In a surprise move, members of Boards & Blades, the group that vainly tried to get a skateboard park built in RP after years of fundraising, presented a check for $100,000 to SCAYD and Cecelia Belle, executive director.

Last year, Boards & Blades gave the same amount to the RP Boys and Girls Club.

Many volunteers were honored Saturday night. The categories included Projects Benefiting Youth, Primary Education, Secondary Education, Faith Based Efforts, Teen Volunteers, Youth Sports, Service Groups and Non-Profits, Senior Citizen Volunteers and Business Volunteers. Nearly 50 individuals were cited.

The awards were presented by RP Councilwoman Amie Breeze, sitting in for Mayor Vicki Vidak-Martinez, Geoff Fox, mayor of Cotati and Mike Watenpaugh, superintendent of the Cotati-RP School District.

The live auction had the talents of the irrepressible Dr. J.T. Henley, togged out in auctioneer suspenders, and silver-tongued Andre Morrow of State Farm Insurance in Cotati. Both are on SCAYD's board of directors. Emcee was Gina Belforte, also a board member.

For those not familiar with SCAYD's work, call them at 793-9030 or visit them on the Web at http://www.scayd.org.

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