UNITE! Washougal honors volunteer

Washougal — UNITE! Washougal Coalition selected Ann Stevens as the first recipient of its Heart of a Volunteer Excellence Award. Stevens, who has worked in nutrition services at Gause Elementary School for three years, has also volunteered with Refuel Washougal, Downtown Washougal Association, Washougal Lions, Clark County Sheriff’s Office Explorers and the Public School Employees of Washington. “Ann’s willingness to help support the vision and mission of UNITE! Washougal in all aspects of her volunteer work has impacted not only youth and families but also partnering organizations and the community as a whole,” Margaret McCarthy, Drug Free Communities grant coordinator, said in a release from the organization. The Heart of a Volunteer Excellence Award will be given out each fall by UNITE! Washougal to coincide with Red Ribbon Week, a national program promoting healthy choices to school-aged children. The award is also given in honor of Gina Farah, a UNITE! Washougal volunteer who died earlier this year.