It was recognition for our volunteers. There are so many (volunteer) hours that go into an organization like this and ... this year was even tougher and more challenging than other years because we had so many additional people in the community.

Part of it is because our volunteers are awesome. They are very reliable. Everything went smoothly. Every volunteer who said they were going to come did. This is our eighth time and we have learned a lot.

A lot of this stuff wouldn't happen without the volunteers since we're a nonprofit organization.

but other than that, the airlines are doing this on a volunteer basis. The crews on board are all volunteers.

She's just one of those individuals who can give of her time who never thought about how late or early it was ... she was just always willing to help.

One of the groups recognized was not a person or a team but a congregation ... for their work helping take care of the new neighbors. Here we are hundreds of hours later and they are still working. This church is faithful, prayerful and always hopeful in the goodness of our community.