The Lodi Police Partners are a group of volunteers who assist the Lodi Police Department with day-to-day duties. They serve subpoenas, take down garage sale posters, check park bathrooms and help direct traffic when there is an accident.

The group started 18 years ago. In October, there were more than 82 volunteers. Most of them are retired because Partners have to be able to work during the day. For information on becoming a Police Partner, check out the city's website.

"They do marvelous, marvelous work on behalf of our citizens and the police force. They create a workforce which frees our police officers to deal with more pressing issues," Johnson said. 

Johnson also honored Lodi House, a non-profit agency that provides shelter for homeless women and children. They also provide food, advocacy, counseling and numerous workshops on a wide variety of topics.

Lodi House opened its doors in 2000 after building a home for five families on Washington Street. They also now has a thrift store at Central Street and Lodi avenues. For more information on how to help, visit their website.

"Many of the women come in and they are stressed out and have a lot of problems, and these people and this board work hard to give these women and their children the best opportunities," Johnson said. 

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