Blanket Brigade Is Among ‘Points of Light’

Following are the people and organizations that have most recently been named to receive President Clinton’s Daily Points of Light Award.

The Points of Light Foundation, a Washington charity, assists the president in making the choices and carrying out the award program. More information about the award winners and the program is available at the foundation’s Web site, http://pointsoflight.org, or by contacting the foundation at 1400 I Street, N.W., Suite 800, Washington 20005; (202) 729-8184.

The recipients:

1603. San Antonio Fighting Back’s Management Board of Directors, who work to decrease substance abuse and violence in San Antonio; the 15 individuals also established a system through which substance-abuse-treatment providers share information.

1604. School Peer Mediation Program, Las Vegas, a program through which students, faculty members, and parents from more than 42 schools learn conflict- resolution and problem-solving skills.

1605. Joe Gamble, Sylmar, Calif., founder of the Sons of Abraham Mentor Program, which fosters the educational, emotional, and spiritual development of 85 young men between the ages of 7 and 17 who are at risk for dropping out of school, receiving poor grades, and engaging in delinquent behavior.

1606. Jeff Sykes, Federal Way, Wash., a disabled man who has visited patients at the Seattle Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center every week for the past 10 years.

1607. Friends for Survival, Sacramento, a non-profit organization founded by two mothers following the suicides of their respective sons; the group provides emotional support, a toll-free hotline, and a newsletter for people who have been affected by suicide.

1608. Binky Patrol, Alisa Viejo, Calif., an organization whose 5,000 members make and distribute blankets to children who suffer from illnesses and abuse, and to kids in foster care and homeless shelters.

1609. Operation Baja, Long Beach, Calif., through which members of the Long Beach Police Department and Mexican police officers deliver food and clothing to poor children in the Baja peninsula; the group has also aided poor people in Cambodia, South Africa, and Ukraine.

1610. Kettering Citizen Police Academy Alumni, Kettering, Ohio, who formed this group after completing a course designed to educate civilians about police work; they assist the Kettering Police Department in such tasks as maintaining emergency equipment and preparing mail.

1611. Susquenita High School Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Harrisburg, Pa., a program in which high-school students serve as mentors for elementary-school students experiencing academic and social difficulties.

1612. William Chandler Vatavuk, Durham, N.C., a teenager who tutors disadvantaged youths and has established educational camps; he also speaks on drug-abuse prevention, school violence, and the importance of staying in school.