LeVar Barrino Honored

Vermonters honored for their commitment to kids

South Burlington, Vermont - April 12, 2011

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=14434058

A group of community leaders were recognized Tuesday for their outstanding service to Vermont's kids.

A few hundred social workers, health care professionals, teachers and volunteers joined the governor and the KidSafe Collaborative in thanking seven Vermonters for their commitment to keeping kids in our communities safe and healthy.

The honorees are a mix foster parents, child advocates and safety professionals.

"They're often the kind of the unsung heroes. That people who kind of quietly go about doing their work or their volunteer work and make a tremendous difference in our community," said Sally Borden of KidSafe Collaborative.

"We have such amazing kids in this community and I'm always looking for an outlet for these kids so we can teach them and educate them along with providing them with a fun and safe place to be," said LeVar Barrino, a Boys & Girls Club honoree.

"Being a foster parent is just so important for these kids because they need these homes, they need the guidance and they need the love and to feel safe. So it's really important for people who can do foster care, to really get out there and help these kids out." Betty Lamphere said.

Lamphere was honored with lifetime achievement award. She's been a foster mom for nearly five decades, caring for more than 35 kids in addition to four of her own.

Jennifer Reading - WCAX News