LEWISTON — The Beverly Foundation of Albuquerque, N.M., announces that the transportation department of Community Concepts Inc. of Lewiston is one of the 19 winners of its 2011 STAR Awards for Excellence.

The cash awards range from $5,000 to $20,000 and are intended to enable winners, each of which included at least some volunteers as drivers, to promote and provide transportation services to older adults. Winners were selected by a committee of 20 nationally recognized experts in transportation and aging. Community Concepts was a winner in the $5,000 award category.

This is the 12th year the Beverly Foundation has conducted its annual STAR Awards program. In that time, almost 1,500 applications have been received, and 115 STAR Awards have been conveyed to 102 organizations in 40 states.

Founded in 1965, Community Concepts Inc. is a private, nonprofit community action organization serving Central and Western Maine. Its mission is to provide leadership, education and support to build thriving individuals, families and communities.

The agency provides a broad spectrum of services to individuals and families, under the guidance of an all-volunteer board of directors.