Local volunteers honored during 2023 Champions for Children event

WASILLA — The Mat-Su Education Association hosted the 2023 Champions for Children event at Everett's.

"It was a great event. I just love it," Linda Jo Klapperich said.

This annual celebratory dinner recognizes longtime volunteers who've gone above and beyond in their work supporting students across the Mat-Su School district over the years.

Each recipient received an engraved plaque to honor their dedication.

"It's really very special," Klapperich said. "You leave inspired because you see how much these people have done for the community."

Klapperich has organized this event with the Mat-Su Education Association for over 10 years. She said that she wants to keep this annual tradition going for the down to earth heroes that put in high quality work that makes a difference.

"I just want to keep perpetuating this," Klapperich said. "It's just so important that they get recognized."

This year's award receipts include: Pam Burlingame (Colony High School), Linda Ledesma (Finger Lake Elementary School) Nancy Bocast (Iditarod Elementary School), Thea Whitehead (Iditarod Elementary School), Pam McCaul (Machentanz), Pastor Daniel Wilcox (Palmer High School), Ashley Rogers (Butte Elementary School), Darlene Zehm-Sherrod, Jillian Ling (Butte Elementary School), Ashlei West (Birchtree Charter School), and Terri (Arlie) Reed-Lewis (Valley Pathways).

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com