From groups that promote local business to those that provide food for the homeless, 33 organizations in Truckee Meadows were recognized for their efforts to better the community. Silver Star awards were given out by Truckee Meadows Tomorrow during its Accentuate the Positive (ATP) campaign.

The ATP celebration is a community-wide effort to salute the positive aspects of life in the region, as well as the people and organizations that make a measurable difference in the community.

“We were looking to honor and recognize individuals, organizations or groups who have really improved this area’s quality of life,” said Truckee Meadows Tomorrow (TMT) President Steve Mulvenon. “There are all kinds of categories in the award program that were available to recognize different groups or people in the area.”

The Sparks Christian Fellowship, Sparks Chamber of Commerce and Sparks Rotary Club were awarded for their involvement in the community.

“The Sparks Christian Fellowship was awarded because of the broad range of outreach activities the church engages in,” said TMT Silver Star awards committee member Karen Ross. “They take part in not just local fundraising efforts, but worldwide efforts.”

Sparks Christian Fellowship had a fundraiser to purchase and put together AIDS workers’ kits, which were distributed in Africa to those individuals who provide care to AIDS patients. The goal was 750 and enough funds were raised for 1,500 kits.

“We’re pleased that this is what we’re known for in the community,” said Pastor Thomas Parker’s assistant Carol Smitherman. “We were honored to be selected again this year.”

Smitherman said n addition to the kits, the church also sends teens to Ensenada to build homes.

“We also raise money to drill wells in third world countries so that people can have easier access to water,” Smitherman said.

This was the church’s second Silver Star award. They were awarded in 2007 in the same category, which was “access to faith communities and spiritual wellbeing.”

The Rotary Club in Sparks was awarded in the recreation category. Specifically, the club was awarded for the annual kids free fishing day that takes place every June.

“The reason I think the free fishing program is important is because it’s really a way for kids to positively interact with nature,” event organizer Dr. Michael Day said. “We give out poles for kids who can’t afford them and try to make it as easy to participate as possible. We’re honored to have been recognized, but it’s really about the kids’ experience.”

The Rotary Club works with the Sparks Parks and Recreation Department, Nevada Department of Wildlife, the U.S. Coast Guard, Nevada Bighorns Unlimited and the Reno Rodeo Foundation to put on the event every year.

“I think the committee liked this (kids fish free) project because it showed really great collaboration among many local organizations,” Ross said.

The Sparks Chamber of Commerce was awarded in the category of “economic vitality” for promoting business and civic interests in the Truckee Meadows. The Chamber also offers a free business assistance program and a student scholarship program. It is one of the largest business organizations in northern Nevada with 1,400 members.

Truckee Meadows Tomorrow has been awarding organizations in the community since 1997.

Ross said that Accentuate the Positive is “a way to bring together a group of community members to celebrate what is great.”