Kid Zone Blue Mountain Health System, formerly known as Carbon County Safe Kids, recently recognized one of their own for her dedication to the organization, which helps teach parents and children how to be safe.

During the group's annual awards presentation on Tuesday, Carbon County Commissioner Wayne Nothstein presented the first Kid Zone appreciation award to Pennsylvania State trooper Shannon M. Yorke, who had been with Safe Kids since its inception in 1995.Nothstein thanked Yorke for her dedication to the children of the county."Shannon has always been there when we need her," Nothstein said as he presented the award.Yorke accepted, noting that even though she plans to retire from the state police in seven months, she intends to continue volunteering her time with Kid Zone."I truly believe in the program, and we've done so many great things over the years," she said. "Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. It has been awesome working with everyone."Carbon County Safe Kids was organized in 1995 to promote the prevention of childhood injuries in Carbon County through education, collaboration and advocacy and plans to continue promoting wellness and safety through its new endeavor as Kid Zone, a service under Blue Mountain Health System.