At its 43rd annual awards ceremony, the Rhode Island Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependence (RICAODD) honored Rep. Lisa P. Tomasso (D – Dist. 29,  Coventry, West Greenwich) with the 2012 Community Service Award.

NBC10 anchor and six-time Emmy Award-winning journalist Dan Jaehnig emceed the awards luncheon, which took place at the Radisson Hotel in Warwick on Sept. 27.

“I’m so honored to be the recipient of this award,” Representative Tomasso said. “RICAODD does some incredible work in the community. I have the same main goal as the council: to build a better, stronger community of individuals and families.”

Sheila McDonald, director of development and communications for Phoenix Houses of New England, said the council chose Representative Tomasso for her continued involvement in various programs that work to strengthen children and families in the community, as well as her volunteer work at the council’s yearly health and fitness fair, “Fit for Recovery!”

RICAODD operates nine recovery houses through the state Revolving Loan Fund (FLF), a program using federal funds to “establish programs for the provision of housing for individuals recovering from alcohol and/or substance abuse,” according to the organization’s website.  Formerly known as the Hope Committee, the organization has seen various structural and policy changes since its inception in 1969.