Page 8 March 19, 2015 TORRANCE TRIBUNE TerriAnn from page 2 the Year to Gregory Vincent; Volunteer of the Year to Keith Montoya; Officer of the Year to Sean O’Rourke; and Business Recognition Award to Toyota Motor Sales, Inc. Honored recipients will receive a beautiful badge especially designed for the specific honor in each category. The planning committee, led again by Shatera Luna, Events Coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce, told me, “The Torrance Police Department Awards & Appreciation Luncheon allows the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce to thank and honor the Torrance Police Department for keeping our community and businesses safe, protected and secure. It is our privilege to thank, honor, and give back to our local heroes through this event.” Shatera’s committee is comprised of Marianne Brooks, Leslie Cortez, Tim Thompson, Kay Grundhaus, Rob Van Lingen, Sean Van Lingen, Ellenmary Michel, Richard Berryman, Charlotte Melsh, Neslie Akkol, and Larry Halvorsen; Sergeant Paul Kranke, Adjutant to the Chief of Police; Lieutenant Jon Megeff, Community Affairs Division Commander; and Lieutenant Mark Underwood, Traffic and Special Events Division. Many others in the Police Department and in the community joined forces to bring this event forth. Donations by Pelican Products, Inc. and FlorUnique made major contributions. A surprise Pelican product (a mini LED flashlight) secured by Leslie Cortez, will be set at each place setting and tables will be graced by centerpieces gifted by Winnie Van Heerden Pat Ghesquiere Ryan Galassi Rob Waldrop Suzanne Kramer Sean O’Rourke Stuart Scott owner of FlorUnique. Larry Halvorsen, committee member, secured artwork created especially for the honorees by students attending Hickory Elementary School, which will add to the décor. Teenagers from the Kiwanis Club of Torrance, secured by Charlotte Melsh, Manager of Palos Verdes Bowl, and teens representing Del Amo Rotary, secured by Rob Van Lingen, will assist with greeting and escorting honorees to their tables, along with the Ambassadors from the chamber. The whole community will be represented between the children, high school representatives, the chamber, businesses in the South Bay, citizens of Torrance and numerous city officials. Adding her angelic voice to the event, Laura Savage will sing the National Anthem and a special poem will be read by Marc Frederic. Our Police Department is unique. Anyone who lives in Torrance knows that. Our officers are our neighbors, our friends, or members of families we have known all our lives. Some of us went to school with officers. Last year, Officer Stephen Jangaard received the Humanitarian Award. I have known Stephen since he was little and I can still remember how proud his parents and family were when he was honored at the inaugural Awards and Appreciation Luncheon last year. Few cities boast the rapport our Police Department has with its citizens. It is important to honor our police officers and show them how much we respect them for keeping our city safe. It isn’t uncommon for other areas to have heard about our police force and comment on how the citizens respect them. Many times I have met people who comment how fortunate I am to live in the City of Torrance. But then, I already know that. The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend the 2nd Torrance Police Department Awards & Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday, March 26 at the Torrance Marriott from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. For information on becoming a sponsor for this event please contact Shatera Luna at 310.540.5858 or shatera@torrancechamber. com. For tickets and more information access www.torrancechamber.com. This is one event I can’t wait to attend. See you there to help support the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us all. They serve with excellence extraordinaire, never settling for the status quo. • Finding Senior Housing can be complex, but it doesn’t have to be. “You can trust A Place for Mom to help you.” – Joan Lunden Call A Place for Mom. Our Advisors are trusted, local experts who can help you understand your options. Since 2000, we’ve helped over one million families fi nd senior living solutions that meet their unique needs. A Free Service for Families. (800) 605-7996 A Place for Mom is the nation’s largest senior living referral information service. We do not own, operate, endorse or recommend any senior living community. We are paid by partner communities, so our services are completely free to families. “The brainchild of Donna Duperron, President and CEO of the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, this event was wholeheartedly supported last year by the Police Department, Torrance businesses, chamber volunteers, and residents.” TPD Awards & Appreciation Luncheon Committee.
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