More than 250 local business and community members attended the 57th Annual Community Service Awards presented by the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce this month at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley to recognize the outstanding achievements of residents.

Emilio Vaca, executive director of the North Tahoe Family Resource Center, received the Citizen of the Year Award for his leadership in turning a small social service organization into a major force in the large regional community it now serves. Vaca has also established relationships with other key community agencies.

Larry Sevison was awarded the Distinguished Community Service Award for his significant contributions during a period of 55 years since he first arrived in North Lake Tahoe in 1956, including serving as Placer County Board of Supervisors District 5 Representative and chair of the California Tahoe Conservancy more than 20 years.

The Large Business of the Year went to the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe for its continued professional and outstanding service to visitors, customers and clients. Moonshine Ink took home Small Business of the Year for its fresh, contemporary and in-depth focus on issues relevant to the Tahoe-Truckee mountain lifestyle.

Nonprofit of the Year was presented as a collective award to the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe, North Tahoe Family Resource Center and Tahoe Women’s Services for their service integration, helping families get their needs met.

Tahoe Cross Country Ski Resort received the Hospitality Award for its exemplary commitment to hospitality and customer service and active participation in the community.

The Positive Environmental Impact Award was given to the Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships for its educating students throughout the school district about environmental issues and how they can impact them positively. The Special Celebration Award went to Squaw Valley USA, a prime example of Tahoe’s past and future.

The Special Community Service awarded was given to board Trustees Bev Ducey and Kristy Olk of the Truckee Tahoe United School District for stepping forward to help the community through the major endeavors and challenges faced by the district.

Arts Supporter of the Year was awarded as a collaborative effort in the desire to entertain both our local community, as well as the many visitors that vacation in our region. It was a grass roots effort that took shape as High Notes – North Lake Tahoe’s Summerlong Music Series that highlighted free music, every night throughout the region. Recipients are Northstar-at-Tahoe, North Lake Tahoe Business Association, Tahoe City Downtown Association, Tahoe City Public Utility District, the Squaw Valley Village Neighborhood Company and Truckee Donner Parks and Recreation District.

The Placer County-Lake Tahoe Film Office also recognized community members, with the Film Commission Outstanding Support for Film and Media Production presented to the Tahoe City Public Utility District and North Tahoe Public Utility District.

The North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce also thanked North Lake Tahoe Resort Association board Members Deb Dudley and Alex Mourelatos, who have now stepped down, for their leadership.

A number of volunteers were recognized: Rosie Smith, California State Parks; Pete Bansen and Phyllis McConn, Arts for the Schools; Laura Helsel and Steve McQuinn, UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center; Melanie Jackson, Tahoe City Public Utility District; Ed Miller, Tahoe City Downtown Association; Courtenay Silvergleid-Wallpe, Tahoe Women’s Services; Mary Ellen Vogt and Dick and Nileta Morton, The Orchestra & Community Choral Artists of the Tahoe Area; Lindsay Harbison, Sierra State Parks Foundation, Jackie Benson-Dehaan and Nicola Kerslake, Squaw Valley Institute; and Don and Jeanne Davis, North Lake Tahoe Historical Society.

Outstanding employees getting top honors included Mitchell Penning, Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe; Linda Van Fossen, Tahoma Meadows Bed & Breakfast; Bob Kellogg, Eagle Ridge Snowmobiles; Sarah Schaefer, North Lake Tahoe Historical Society; Ana Liz Servin, North Tahoe Family Resource Center; Corina Botorea, Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort; Joel Walker, Avelina Cruz and Chef Chad Shrewsbury, Resort at Squaw Creek; Mirian Guerrero, Granllibakken Resort; Jake Lewis, Homewood Mountain Resort; Jessica Swan, Alpine Meadows Ski Resort; Jess Weigel, Tahoe City Public Utility District; Bill Loveland, Tahoe City Marina; Dave “The Wave” Pierce, Squaw Valley USA; Don Yuhas, Mike Hafer, Susan Malvolta, Ted Theodore and Chris Hargrave, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort’s Ski and Snowboard School; and Jeremy Jacobson of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association.The 57th Annual Community Service Awards was sponsored by the Resort at Squaw Creek, Jeff Leep of Leep Entertainment, Sierra Nevada Ad Partners, Tahoe Ridge Winery and The Store . . . Copies and More.