Non-profit awards 20 scholarships

This News by You feature was submitted by Kristen Dorsey, publicity chair for the Golden WHEEL Organization.

Twenty West Valley high school students each received a $4,000 scholarship from the Golden WHEEL Organization.

The scholarships are based on financial need, school and community involvement and academic record.

Recipients were honored at an awards gathering at the home of Jerry and Vickie Moyes on Tuesday.

"The Golden WHEEL Organization is so pleased to be able to award these deserving students with scholarships," said Jane Carmichael, president. "Our scholarship program is an important part of our mission to educate and enrich the lives of children."

The Golden WHEEL Organization was established in 1999 as a non-profit community service group to raise funds for the West Valley Child Crisis Center and scholarships for high school seniors. Over the past nine years, this organization has donated more than $700,000 to the West Valley Child Crisis Center and over $480,000 in scholarships has been awarded to 178 West Valley high school seniors.

The Golden WHEEL Organization has also donated more than $80,000 to the Peoria Educational Enrichment Foundation for sound systems for first-grade class rooms, $80,000 to the YMCA, and $36,000 to the Sunflower Center, which is a learning center in the Peoria Unified School District for students with special needs that cannot be met in traditional classrooms.

The membership of 30 diverse women is committed to contributing social, civic, educational and cultural service to their community. The Golden WHEEL Organization represents Women Helping to Educate and Enrich Lives.

Twenty West Valley high school students each received a $4,000 scholarship from the Golden WHEEL Organization.