Sustainability Awards presented April 20

This awards are named for Tod J. LeFevre, a longtime resident of Hood River and a true champion of sustainability. Tod passed away on March 7, 2011, when his long struggle with pulmonary fibrosis ended before donor lungs could be found.

Among many other things, Tod was a respected civil engineer, a mountaineer, skier, adventurer, innovator and teacher. He launched a solar engineering and installation firm, Common Energy, which is now owned by his wife, Marti, and Scott Sorensen. Tod and Marti have two children, Cassell and Sutton Bell.

The awards honor current leaders in the community and Tod's humble determination to make our community and this world a better place, according to Gorge Owned director Amanda Lawrence.

Individual: Heather Staten

Over the last few years, Heather has demonstrated leadership and dedication to furthering the work of Hood River Valley Residents Committee.

From the Punch Bowl Falls county park to the Cooper Spur-National Forest Land Swap to the Hood River TGM grant to the Waterfront Refinement Plan (the list goes on and on), Heather is tireless in her efforts to protect farm and forestland and improve livability for the citizens of Hood River County.

Company: Rebuild It Center

The Gorge Rebuild It Center has been intercepting building and construction salvage since 2004 in Hood River. Patrick Morrison has skillfully managed the Gorge Rebuild It Center Store, employees, and volunteers — some with community and environmental passions, but little knowledge of the products being donated — since the beginning.

Patrick spends his days loading and unloading materials, hand washing and inspecting doors, windows, trash cans — whatever treasures arrive — with a smile and a nod.

Student: Clare Davies

For two years, Claire has spearheaded a Soles for Souls shoe drive. She has collected more than 800 pairs of used shoes to donate. The shoes are repaired by people in more than 127 impoverished countries and in all 50 states to then be sold in their communities.

This micro-enterprise model provides entrepreneurs the ability to start small businesses by providing a steady supply of high-quality, low-cost product — a powerful and sustainable way for people to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. Through this project, Claire has helped keep shoes out of landfills and instead provide opportunity to thousands of entrepreneurs.

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Gorge Owned is a 501.c.3 member-supported organization with a mission to help people invest in a strong local economy, healthy environment and vibrant community in the Columbia River Gorge.

With more than 200 individual and business members, GO! delivers year-round programing that informs and inspires people to invest in making the Gorge an even better place to live.

For more information or a list of upcoming events, visit gorgeowned.org.