News Release
Alamo Area Council of Governments announces winners of 2005 Regional Awards
San Antonio, June 22, 2005 – Today the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) presented their 2005 Regional Awards at the semiannual meeting of the AACOG Area Council and Board of Directors.
Leon Thomas is the 2005 Regional Citizen of the Year award winner. Leon Thomas was recognized for improving his neighborhood and his community through his work on the Texas Regional Water Senate Bill One Formulation Committee, the Bexar County Countywide Citizens Watershed Master Plan Committee, and the Citizens Forum for the Lower Guadalupe Water Supply Project.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) was recognized as the 2005 Community Project of the Year. The Alamo Children’s Advocacy Center (ACAC) and CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital’s (CSRCH) Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) partner to provide compassionate medical care to children victimized by child abuse or sexual assault and provide education designed to proactively prevent instances of child abuse in the Alamo Area. ACAC offers annual assistance to more than 1,000 children in the Alamo Area who have suffered sexual abuse. In 2004, the SANE nurses treated over 611 acute cases of sexual abuse and conducted sexual assault education for approximately 1,195 people.
Central Texas Technology Center received a 2005 Governmental Regional Project of the Year award. CTTC is a partnership for education involved to build the first community college facility in the New Braunfels/Seguin Area. A total of $3.6 million was raised for this project through federal, state, and local grants. This effort represents the commitment and dedication of business, education, and government willing to cooperate with each other in creating better lives and jobs in Comal and Guadalupe County.
CPS Energy also received a 2005 Governmental Regional Project of the Year award. CPS Energy was recognized for its Volunteers in Public Service (VIP) Program. CPS employees lend a hand and get involved in our community in areas dealing with health, education, the elderly, homelessness, and the environment. Through the VIP Program, CPS employees, retirees, and family members have given away more than 1,000 oscillating fans to seniors, and 3,500 coats and blankets to local agencies who service the needy. CPS employees also provide community service via working partnerships with organizations like AACOG’s Weatherization Program. CPS’ own air conditioning rebate program and its Residential Energy Assistance Partnership also contribute to the betterment of our region.
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Established in 1967, the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) is a voluntary association of local governments and organizations that serves its members through planning, information and coordination activities. The 12 counties that comprise the Alamo Area planning region are Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina and Wilson. For more information visit www.aacog.com.