COEUR d'ALENE - The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center announced the recipients of two international Salvation Army Awards: Mayor Sandi Bloem - the William Booth Award, and local philanthropist and Kroc Advisory Board member Sue Thilo - the Others Award.

The honorees were presented with the awards Thursday at The Kroc Center in recognition of their dedication and commitment to The Salvation Army and the Coeur d'Alene community, the Salvation Army stated in a press release.

The William Booth award is one of the highest awards that may be conferred upon an individual by The Salvation Army, and has been awarded to the likes of Billy Graham, Bob Hope, Edsel Ford and Pastor Jack Hayford. Nominees are chosen based on four criteria: 1) Dedication to The Salvation Army's goals of service to man; 2) Outstanding service to the community through donation of time, expertise and energy; 3) Outstanding humanitarian effort within the community; and 4) Substantial contributions to the work of The Salvation Army through time, talent, and/or financial resources.

A longtime supporter and advocate for the Coeur d'Alene community, Mayor Sandi Bloem was awarded with the William Booth Award for her extensive service to The Salvation Army Kroc Center. Mayor Bloem led the initial charge to bring The Salvation Army Kroc Center to Coeur d'Alene, and as Advisory Board Chair she spearheaded the capital campaign and united local community leaders to help make The Kroc Center a reality. Her exceptional efforts helped secure many contributions to The Kroc's capital campaign, most notably a million dollar gift from the Albertsons Foundation. In addition to The Kroc Center, she has made a lasting impact in our community through recent efforts to build a new library, education corridor, the Landings Park, the Prairie Trail and a free bus system.

The Salvation Army Others Award honors an individual exemplifying an extraordinary spirit of service to others.

Thilo is a principal supporter of The Salvation Army and the incoming Advisory Board Chair, was awarded with The Salvation Army Others Award. For the past 20 years, Sue has fought to bring a community center to Coeur d'Alene. When the gift from Mrs. Joan Kroc was first announced, Thilo traveled on her own time and expense to San Diego to participate in the presentation of the application process. In the end, Sue helped prepare a total of four applications, which ultimately helped bring The Kroc Center to Coeur d'Alene. She has been on the advisory board from its inception, was instrumental in securing dozens of capital campaign contributions, and participates on several Kroc Center committees.