Community Missions honors volunteers and supporters at 21st annual awards brunch

Community Missions of Niagara Frontier honored many of the volunteers and supporters who make its mission possible at its 21^st annual Compassion in Action Awards Brunch, hosted Thursday by the LaSalle Yacht Club in Niagara Falls.

The brunch is structured to honor the many volunteers who help the agency throughout the year, while also recognizing award winners from six of the organization's departments. In addition, a Director's Award is presented by Executive Director Robyn L. Krueger, and the Sharon Kroetsch Memorial Award is bestowed upon a chosen board member.

"Each year, the Compassion in Action Awards Brunch is an opportunity and pleasure for us as an agency to show our gratitude to so many of the individuals and organizations that help us achieve our goals," Krueger said. "These honorees give so much of their time and resources to help others, and it's so rewarding for us to be able to take the time to acknowledge and recognize them for their selflessness."

Approximately 125 attendees, including James Ward representing State Sen. George Maziarz, honored the following award winners:

• Deonna Mazur, Niagara Falls Treatment Courts - OMH Housing Services Award

• Mercedes Catherine, St. John de LaSalle Church - Youth Services Award

• Diana Belcher, Visiting Nursing Association of Western New York - OMH Recovery Services Award

• Will Poultry Co. - Crisis and Community Services Award

• Victoria Vizzi, Liazon Corporation - Finance Award

• Brian Costello, Diversified Manufacturing Inc. - Public Relations Award

• Russell Petrozzi, Capitol Cleaners - Director's Award

• Quain Weber, CMI board member - Sharon Kroetsch Memorial Award

In 2012, CMI surpassed 70,000 meals, provided crisis housing to more than 600 individuals, and provided more than 9,000 nights of care to neglected or abused children and homeless adults. Additional agency programs serve adults and youth with psychiatric disabilities, parolees, at-risk youth and other underserved populations in both residential and recovery-orientated settings.

For more information on the many services and programs provided by Community Missions, visit www.communitymissions.org or connect via Facebook and Twitter.