Auburn-based Valley Cities Counseling & Consultation will award Puget Sound Energy employee, Diana Booth, with a community service award in recognition of the assistance she has given South King County low-income utility customers needing help with their energy bills.

Booth, one of four award recipients, will receive the direct services award at the Valley Cities’ Annual Auction and Awards dinner at Emerald Downs today. Several counselors working in the Valley Cities’ housing department nominated Booth. Their recognition noted how Booth dedicated her time to helping low-income individuals through periods of crisis.

"he is always willing to talk with us or our clients to resolve issues and allow clients to keep their utilities on,” said Pam Taylor, development director of Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation, “This kind of grass roots help means that Diana is preserving a very central safety net for clients. Her compassion makes a difference.”

Booth joined PSE in July 2005 when she started working in the utility’s customer services department and two years later transferred to the corporate credit department. Once a month, Booth works with Dawn Cherne, Valley Cities housing director, to receive information about Valley clients who need help with their energy bills.

“We consider Diana an extension of the Valley Cities team and deeply appreciate her efforts to help homeless families achieve and maintain housing stability,” said Cherne.

For the past six years, Valley Cities Counseling & Consultation annually honors individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to healthy communities by supporting the work of Valley Cities and who demonstrate, through action, care for the most vulnerable in the community.

This year’s award recipients also will include Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis, United Way of King County’s Lori Guilfoyle and Auburn Food Bank’s Debbie Christian.

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