NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. - Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, Inc. (CMI) held its 25^th Annual Compassion in Action Awards Brunch on Wednesday afternoon at the LaSalle Yacht Club in Niagara Falls.

The event honors the many volunteers that help the agency throughout the year, while also recognizing award winners chosen by departments throughout the organization. In addition, Executive Director Robyn L. Krueger presents a Director's Award annually, along with the Sharon Krotesch Memorial Award to an outstanding member of the Board of Directors.

Approximately 130 attendees, including Bonnie Kane Lockwood representing U.S. Representative Brian Higgins and Robert Welch representing Senator Robert Ortt, honored the following award winners Wednesday afternoon:

• Ms. Katherine Ellman, Northwest Bank - Finance Award
• Ms. Dorothy Tubinis & Elks Lodge #346 - Youth Services Award
• Ms. Jodi McKay, LMSW, Niagara County Dept. of Mental Health - Mental Health Recovery Services Award
• Officer Elaine Hertel, Niagara County Department of Probation - Mental Health Housing Services Award
• Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls - Crisis and Community Services Award
• St. James United Methodist Church with Mr. Lee Clark, Mr. Richard Chapman & Mrs. Jan Babcock - Ministry and Community Partnerships Award
• Ms. Katie Alexander, WIVB-TV - Media Award
• Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation - Public Relations Award
• Niagara University - Director's Award
• Michael Lewis, Ph.D. CMI Board President - Sharon Kroetsch Memorial Award

Community Missions has provided the Niagara community with a wide range of vital services since 1925. In 2016, CMI provided more than 89,000 meals and 11,000 nights of care within its crisis services programs. Additional agency programs serve adults and youth with psychiatric disabilities, parolees, at-risk youth and other underserved populations in both residential and recovery-oriented settings. For more information, please visit www.communitymissions.org.

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Photo caption & identification:Community Missions held its 25^th Annual Compassion In Action Awards Brunch on Wednesday afternoon at the LaSalle Yacht Club.

First row (L to R): Ms. Jodi McKay, LMSW; Ms. Dorothy Tubinis; Ms. Teresa Costello (Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls); Ms. Jan Babcock; Ms. Patti Wrobel; Ms. Megan MacDavey (Peter & Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation).

Second Row (L to R): Ms. Katie Alexander; Mr. Michael Lewis, Ph.D.; Ms. Katherine Ellman; Officer Elaine Hertel; Mr. Richard Chapman; Pastor Matt Kofahl.