Anchorage First Lady Deborah Bonito honored for her work with military families

Anchorage First Lady Deborah Bonito, wife of U.S. Senate candidate and Mayor Mark Begich, was recognized in Washington, D.C. today for her work with military families in Alaska. The Anchorage First Lady Military & Family Support Initiative received the Raytheon Program Achievement Award for “Best Use of Volunteers.”

The award was one of just three given nationally by the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) recognizing outstanding programs that benefit young enlisted men and women and military families. It comes with a $4,500 grant to the Alaska chapter of the ASYMCA.

“I am proud to see Deborah’s work recognized on the national level,” Begich said. “As military families deal with multiple tours of duty, single-parent households, and other issues, we’ll continue to support them and look for ways to make their lives a little easier.”

Mayor Begich has taken Deborah's idea to the United States Conference of Mayors through his ground-breaking "Community/Military Relations Task Force." The hope is for other U.S. Mayors to spread this program in cities around the country, helping countless military men, women and their families through difficult times.

(Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Anchorage)