Long Beach AWARE celebrates 15 years

Long Beach AWARE — formerly known as the Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking — celebrated it’s 15th anniversary last Sunday at its Breakfast of Champions event at the Sands in Atlantic Beach. About 150 people gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of State Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky; Arnie Epstein, the Long Beach School District’s director of health and physical education; Dr. Michele Natali, the district’s executive director of human resources; and Rhonda Healy of Long Beach High School’s PTSA Morning Madness.

“Partnering with Long Beach AWARE, all have worked tirelessly to ensure that Long Beach and the surrounding communities are healthy and safe places for families,” said Judi Vining, Long Beach AWARE’s executive director. “Each in his or her own way has worked protect our youth from falling prey to alcohol and other drugs.”

Kaminsky in particular, she said, has been at the forefront of sponsoring legislation that protects youth throughout the state from dangerous products such as powdered alcohol, in addition to providing forums where such issues can be discussed in an open, forthright, solution-oriented way.

Epstein and Natali, meanwhile, work to provide curricula, positive activities and challenges for students in the district, while serving as powerful role models. Rhonda works tirelessly to insure that high school seniors have a safe place to go after the prom.