Making Lives Better

Among the brightest threads in the tapestry that is the San Fernando Valley community are the volunteers and nonprofit organizations that work selflessly to make others’ lives better.

Outstanding examples are three Valley organizations and two volunteers selected as winners of this year’s Community Partnership Awards, presented by The Times Valley / Ventura County Editions.

They are:

* Antelope Valley Special Olympics, recipient of the Social Services Award.

* Future Leaders of America, San Fernando Affiliate, recipient of the Youth and Education Services Award.

* D.O.L.L.S. Inc. of Calabasas, recipient of the Senior Citizen Services Award.

* Adult literacy volunteer Betty Ramos Wexler of the San Fernando Valley chapter of Rolling Readers USA.

* Youth literacy volunteer Brandon J, Keefe, 13, of BookEnds, a Community Partners project in West Hills.

The honorees were selected by a panel of seven community and business leaders from throughout the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys and Ventura County. Each organization will receive a $5,000 grant from The Times.

We add our salute and thanks to this year’s Community Partnership Award winners and to the many other nonprofit organizations that make the social fabric of the Valley brighter, stronger and more enduring.