PORT ST. LUCIE — Communities Connected for Kids congratulates Linda Beland and Christina Kaiser for winning the most recent Going the Extra Mile, or GEM, Award for excellence in serving children and families in Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast.

The duo won the award in categories recognizing excellence in both case management and administration for the period spanning October through December. Both worked together closely to ensure Christmas gifts got to children during the 2020 holiday season and despite pandemic restrictions.

Beland, a case-manager supervisor in St. Lucie County, received the award in the Emerald Division, which covers case-management staff.

She was nominated by County Director Lorrene Egan and Kaiser, who said Beland and her team of support specialists were responsible for distributing more than a 1,000 gifts to children in care and doing it safely during the pandemic.

“I have worked with Linda Beland for more than a decade on community projects that benefit our case management staff and the families they serve,” Kaiser said. “To put it plainly, Linda makes my job easier, and when I work with her I truly feel like I am part of a team.”

Kaiser was nominated by Denise Natalizio for her part in the Christmas project, a 20-year-old drive that coordinates the efforts of more than 40 businesses and community groups.

This year, Kaiser merged the project with longtime partner Guardians for New Futures’ angel drive, which brought more volunteers, support and resources to the project.

“The only thing I’ll take credit for is knowing great people and being smart enough to work with them,” she said. “But this was a terrific surprise, and I’m really happy to be recognized alongside Linda.”