COMMUNITY HEROES ELKS LODGE HONORS OUTSTANDING SERVICE.

Byline: Orith Goldberg Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - Day in and day out, the awardees cited routinely exceed the expectations of their superiors and peers, offering their natural talents as gifts much-appreciated and admired by the community.

In an annual awards ceremony scheduled for Wednesday night, Santa Clarita Valley Elks Lodge No. 2379 planned to present local law enforcement officers, firefighters and Red Cross volunteers with awards in honor of their commitment and dedication to their jobs and the community.

Mayor Jo Anne Darcy, presenter of the awards on behalf of the city of Santa Clarita and Los Angeles County, said the recipients were deserving individuals.

``We do it to honor them and recognize their unselfish service to their community,'' Darcy said.

Those to be honored include California Highway Patrol Officer John Vickers, Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Artie Thompson, American Red Cross volunteer board members Glenn and Mindy Stuart, county Firefighter Angel Medina and Firefighter Paramedic Bill Edwards.

Members of the Elks Lodge also have plaques for the recipients, each chosen for providing extraordinary service to a local agency.

For his donating a minimum 16,000 hours a year to the Sheriff's Department, as coordinator of three reserves units at the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's station, Thompson, 43, seemed a shoo-in for the award.

``He's a one-man dynamo,'' said sheriff's Lt. Carl Deeley.

Thompson was called at least three times in a 24-hour period while he was on-call for reserve duty, Deeley recalled, saying officials at the station can always depend on him.

``The guy has got the energy of a 6-year-old,'' Deeley said. ``Artie doesn't know what a 40-hour workweek is because he's never seen it.''

Vickers, 44, won the respect of his fellow officers through his diligent work with the courts and his active participation with the Boy Scouts.

CHP Spokesman Doug Sweeney said Vickers has been very effective in presenting cases to the District Attorney's Office on behalf of the CHP.

``Of all of the officers in the Newhall area, he definitely deserves this,'' Sweeney said, adding that the award had been long in coming.

Vickers said he was surprised to learn he would be recognized.

``It's an honor, especially since the officers elect you,'' he said.

County fire captains at Canyon Country Station 107 had reason to be proud Wednesday as Medina, 40, and Edwards, 29, received awards for their outstanding service to the department and the community.

Angel Medina's work with a youth rescue program through the District Attorney's Office has earned him the respect of many of his colleagues. The program allows less-fortunate children without fathers to be mentored by firefighters, who act as positive role models in working with the youths.

For three years, Medina has participated in the program, helping youths with homework and giving them an opportunity to learn about the daily operations at the station.

With four children of his own, Medina said he relishes the opportunity to help other youths.

``I'm honored to be a recipient,'' Medina said. ``I don't do this for an award.''

Bill Edwards, also from Station 107, was similarly surprised to be chosen for the annual Elks award.

``I definitely feel honored to receive it,'' he said.

Edwards coordinates the Explorer Post where 20 individuals, ages 15 to 21, gather to learn what it's like to be a firefighter.

``It's all volunteer work - he doesn't have to do this,'' Capt. Rob Smith said. ``But Billy has been the guy who has stepped up to the plate and taken the responsibility.''

< ``They are both young, motivated firemen and they love their jobs,'' Capt. Dave Chavez said.

The extensive volunteer fund-raising efforts of the Stuarts were recognized by members of the Red Cross.

``When the Elks asked us to choose someone, (the idea of Mindy and Glenn) sprang right into the foreground,'' said Santa Clarita Valley Red Cross office manager Diane Hill.

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Photo: (color) Station 107 Firefighter Angel Medina, in front, and Firefighter Paramedic Bill Edwards were both commended Wednesday.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News