Locals honored at Heart of Yuma ceremony

The city of Yuma praised locals at the annual Heart of Yuma award ceremony, Tuesday evening. The event was hosted at Arizona Western College, with over 70 people honored for their community and philanthropic efforts.

Heart of Yuma, overseen by the Arizona Community Foundation — Aims to recognize hard working, generous and altruistic citizens by bringing the community together for a greater cause.

Angie Mitchell — Chair of the Arizona Community Foundation in Yuma, said the focus of the event is to bring people together while pointing the community towards its most selfless citizens.

“We are a true community,” Mitchell said. “You will see people from all walks of life. From Philanthropist of the Year, down to young leaders who are just beginning their careers of volunteerism. Every age, race. The whole community.”

Mitchell said she is happy to see the community come together for the purpose of honoring its most charitable citizens.

“We have Young Leaders, we have Volunteer of the Year, we have For-Profit organizations who are being recognized, we have Non-Profit organizations being recognized for all they do, then the culmination with the philanthropist of the year,” said Mitchell.

The theme of the event incorporated, “Generosity and Inspiration.”

A ceremony committed to promoting a strong sense of community, Mitchell said Heart of Yuma is an event the committee looks forward to every year.

“This is a night to look forward to all year long,” Mitchell said. “We can celebrate those in our community who have paid forward with their kindness, their generosity, their volunteerism. This is a night of gratitude.”