Shawn & Amanda Bakker Win National Jefferson Award

SALINAS, Calif. - June 18, 2014 - PRLog -- Salinas, CA…Shawn & Amanda Bakker, owners of Bakker Construction in Salinas, were honored with the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Outstanding Public Service for their vision and creation of Tatum’s Garden in Salinas.

         Their walk to the podium in our nation’s capital to accept this prestigious award was a long and arduous road for equality for kids as they formulated a plan and inspired a community to build the first accessible, fully inclusive playground in Salinas.

         “We are humbled and honored to represent the Salinas community with this national honor, but we realize we are only two people, who stand for an incredible board, committee, and thousands of volunteers who helped make our dream of Tatum’s Garden possible”, says Amanda Bakker.

         The Bakkers are among 50 other recipients from around the country whose lives, careers and volunteer activities “embody the finest examples of public service in a range of human endeavor.  Cofounded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the awards are presented each year during a special gala ceremony in Washington, D.C. where a broad array of honorees are recognized – from high-profile individuals who have dedicated the better part of their lives to public service to celebrated professional athletes to largely unheralded community-based volunteers like Shawn and Amanda Bakker.

         Shawn Bakker commented, “Our hope is that Tatum’s Garden continues to be a light in our community…an example of what we can do when we work together, and put families and children first.  We hope this is an impetus for many more life-changing projects in Salinas”!

         We are thrilled the Bakkers are being recognized for bringing the 20,000 sq. ft. playground to Salinas where children of all abilities can play side-by-side, where barriers are diminished, and values such as compassion and understanding are learned.

About Tatum’s Garden:  Tatum’s Garden opened December 8, 2013 and brings a one-of-a-kind play experience to the children of Monterey County, and their families, regardless of ability.  It is located at 1 Maryal Drive in Salinas.

About Bakker Construction:  Bakker Construction is an award winning, full service Design/Build Company specializing in all phases of residential remodeling and construction.

About the Jefferson Awards:  Co-founded in 1973 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft Jr. and Sam Beard, The Jefferson Awards annually celebrate America’s commitment to public service.  Recognizing the famous and the unknown, individuals and organizations, the young and old, the awards reflect one of the founding ideals of our nation, that of contributing toward the lager good.