COLUMBUS — Lifeline of Ohio, a nonprofit organization promoting and coordinating organ and tissue donation in central and southeastern Ohio, hosted its annual “Ambassador Appreciation” dinner to thank volunteers for their dedication to promoting donation.

Crown City resident Tonya Warren received the Shining Star Award for contributing between 20 and 29 hours of service to promote organ and tissue donation.

“Our theme this year was ‘You Make a World of Difference’ because our volunteers truly do,” said Terri Louder, community outreach event and volunteer coordinator at Lifeline of Ohio. “Our Donate Life Ambassadors enable us to promote donation in Ohio and West Virginia. With their support, we were able to add 80,000 new designations in the Ohio Donor Registry. They help save lives.”

The event was held at Confluence Park Restaurant in Columbus and included 59 award presentations for outstanding service.

Lifeline of Ohio is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and coordinate the donation of human organs and tissue for transplantation. Lifeline of Ohio is approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as the designated organ procurement organization (OPO) serving 37 counties in central and southeastern Ohio, and Hancock and Wood counties in West Virginia. Lifeline of Ohio provides services to 64 hospitals through its transplant coordinators. Lifeline of Ohio’s clinical staff is on call 24 hours a day to coordinate the recovery and transport of tissue and organs for transplant.

Additionally, Lifeline of Ohio offers educational presentations for professional, civic, church and social organizations, as well as elementary through college level school programs. These programs are offered year-round as a community service and are customized to meet the objectives of the particular audience.

(On the Web: www.lifelineofohio.org)