Healthy Beginnings honors 2018 Champions for Children
More than 300 community members and civic leaders from throughout Central Oregon attended the Healthy Beginnings 2018 Breakfast of Champions, presented by Pure Care Dental, held Tuesday, Oct. 2 at the Riverhouse Convention Center in Bend.
The event honored eight adult and five youth nominees for their work on behalf of children, as nominated by their fellow community members.
Dusty Porter, Principal at John Tuck Elementary School, nominated by David Burke, High Desert Education Service District Assistant Superintendent, received the Champion for Children award in the adult category. Payton Gregory, 12, an ambassador for Shriner’s Children Hospital nominated by Dr. Catherine Quas and the team at Bluefish Dental & Orthodontics, received the Champion for Children award in the youth category. Holly Remer, who retired last summer after 16 years as the executive director of Healthy Beginnings, received the Lifetime Champion for Children award.
“We are grateful to the community for their continued support of our program. This event was a great opportunity to showcase our initiatives for expansion and growth in the year ahead, and also join together in community to celebrate and honor those who have devoted their lives to the children. It really is the people that make Central Oregon such a special place to live,” said Diane Murray-Fleck, Healthy Beginnings’ executive director.
Speakers included Diane Murray-Fleck, Healthy Beginnings’ Executive Director, Dr. Brenna Lewis, Healthy Beginnings’ Medical Director, Bridget McGinn, Healthy Beginnings’ Board President, and Taylor Westover. Bob Shaw of NewsChannel 21 served as the emcee for the event. Healthy Beginnings is honored to be part of the “NewsChannel 21 Cares for Kids” program.
The family-friendly event featured a “Hall of Champions” display, complete with posters for each nominee sharing their nomination submissions. Nominations were open to the public and final award winners were determined by the Healthy Beginnings board of directors and staff.
“All of the nominations were so heartfelt and genuine, it was very difficult to select a winner in each category,” said Bridget McGinn, president of the Healthy Beginnings board of directors. “All of the nominees are truly champions for children.”
About Healthy Beginnings
For nearly 23 years, Healthy Beginnings has provided Central Oregon families with accessible, free health and developmental assessments for children from birth to five years old. The organization also provides referrals to appropriate community agencies, follow-up services, information and support.
The purpose of this program is to provide accessible, preventative assessments to confirm the well-being of children and/or to identify and refer concerns in the areas of health, development, and behavior. Since its inception, Healthy Beginnings has provided these services at no cost to families, and currently offers assessment clinics throughout Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson Counties.
For more information about Healthy Beginnings, or to schedule an assessment, please visit myhb.org .
