MCYAF, the Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation, held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Event on May 1^st at Prairie Lakes Community Center in Des Plaines with 60 supporters of MCYAF in attendance.

MCYAF, a community coalition working to reduce alcohol, tobacco and drug use by youth in Maine Township, hosted the annual event to show appreciation to the many volunteers who are partners in its community-wide effort to keep youth healthy and substance free.

Recipients of the 2012 MCYAF Awards are: Volunteer of the Year – Gene Haring, Director of Marketing for the Des Plaines Park District, Coalition Partner of the Year – Journal & Topics Newspaper, and Leaders of Tomorrow: Jane Acker and Danielle Kavanaugh from Maine South High School; Adrianna Czerlonko, Jessica Dang, Wiktor Ezlakowski, Panagiota Melonas, Jessica Mueller, Jason Scheau and Ravi Shah from Maine West High School.

The Appreciation Event included traditional Mexican food, an awards ceremony, and entertainment provided by Emma Tuminello, celloist, and Dan McLean, guitarist.

About MCYAF

Founded in 2002, MCYAF is a community coalition that works with parents, schools, police, youth, government, health care providers, social service, faith and civic organizations to reduce alcohol, drug and tobacco use among youth in Maine Township. The MCYAF Coalition provides funding through federal and state grants for programs and services that support our mission to educate, guide, advocate and provide resources for families in order to promote healthy, alcohol-free and drug-free youth. For more information, see www.mcyaf.com or contact us at (847) 858-7090.

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