Care Award Honoree Recognized for Supporting Others in Time of Need

    SANTA ANA, CA, November 09, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In 2010, Mindy Daffron's neighbor passed away unexpectedly in her sleep, leaving behind her husband and four children. When Daffron noticed the lack of support the grieving family received as first responders arrived at the scene, she knew preventing this heartbreaking situation from happening to another family was her calling. Daffron joined Orange County Trauma Intervention Program (TIP), a nonprofit providing emotional and practical support to victims at traumatic incidents, at the request of police officers, firefighters and hospital personnel. Her passion for supporting others in their greatest time of need made her the winner of Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary's November/December Oliver Halsell Care Award.

"Mindy's life-changing work in the community, and the way she can bring comfort to someone after they've endured an extremely traumatic incident, makes her an inspiring recipient of our Care Award," said Marla Noel, president of Fairhaven. "We admire Mindy's role with TIP and her making sure that any time - day or night - Orange County citizens receive emotional support through challenging times."

Daffron, who began as a TIP volunteer in 2010, has been the Crisis Team Manager for the past four years. In her role, she maintains relationships with Orange County first responder agencies and briefs first responders before their shifts on how and when to utilize TIP with those they help. TIP volunteers respond to daily incidents and Daffron is always on call and responds for more traumatic events, including those where media are present, a first responder has died or cases that require multiple days of support.

When not working for TIP, Daffron stays involved at Edge Church where her husband Ryan is pastor. She takes part in many of the church's ministries and maintains a strong faith. Daffron also takes pride in having an active role in her children's lives, including attending soccer games and school functions. A loving wife and mother, she lives in Laguna Niguel with Ryan and their two children, Tyler and Kyra.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a wonderful program that provides emotional support to citizens," said Daffron. "It's rewarding to know that my work is helping others push through what are most likely the hardest days of their lives. To be chosen as a Fairhaven Care Award recipient for spreading love and comfort in the community is a great honor."

Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary, which has facilities in Santa Ana and Mission Viejo, began the Oliver Halsell Care Awards honoree program in 2012 as a way to spotlight local residents who are making a positive impact in Orange County by showing care and compassion through work or volunteering.

On Nov. 3, Daffron received her award at Fairhaven's Oliver Halsell Care Awards banquet in Mission Viejo. The Care Awards ceremony also recognized five previously identified winners and their important work in Orange County in the past year. At the banquet, each of the six honorees was presented with a crystal statue by Noel and Michael Alarcon, manager of Fairhaven Memorial Services, during a special awards presentation. The honorees also were asked to select a nonprofit to receive a special donation in their honor from Fairhaven. Fairhaven's donation on Daffron's behalf will benefit Trauma Intervention Program.

The 2016 Care Award honorees include:
• Arlene Crawford (Santa Ana): executive director of Sunrise at Tustin; January/February
• Marilyn Ditty (Laguna Woods): CEO of Age Well Senior Services; March/April
• Stephanie Snyder (Mission Viejo): Client Services Liaison at ResCare (Tustin); May/June
• Ken Krikac (Rancho Santa Margarita): pastor at Calvary Chapel Pacific Hills and chaplain at the Orange County Fire Authority; July/August
• Samaneh Etemadi (Irvine): volunteer at OC Hospice; September/October
• Mindy Daffron (Laguna Niguel): crisis team manager at Trauma Intervention Program; November/December

Fairhaven is accepting nominations for the 2017 Oliver Halsell Care Awards; six deserving community members are awarded each year. For more information and to nominate an outstanding citizen, call 714-633-1442 or email [email protected].

About Fairhaven's Oliver Halsell Care Award
Fairhaven's Oliver Halsell Care Award pays tribute to Orange County individuals whose kindness and dedication to serving others is inspirational. These courageous individuals go above and beyond their job descriptions to serve with the utmost care and compassion. Fairhaven's Oliver Halsell Care Award winners come from many fields including private care, hospice, social work, counseling, assisted living, medical providers, nursing, therapy, volunteer work and more.

About Fairhaven
Founded in 1911 by Oliver Halsell to provide a peaceful and comforting place for families to honor their loved ones, Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary is Orange County's most beautiful full-service mortuary, crematory and cemetery. With the memorial park and mortuary in Central Orange County and an elegantly appointed mortuary in South Orange County, Fairhaven provides funeral, cremation and burial services both at the time of need and through advanced planning, maintaining its steadfast commitment to care and compassion. Fairhaven is dedicated to celebrating the individual, providing services that are as unique and wide-ranging as the people they celebrate. Additional information is available at http://www.dignitymemorial.com/fairhaven-memorial-park-mortuary. Connect with Fairhaven at Facebook and Twitter.

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