City of Brisbane

Brisbane Women’s Club: The Brisbane’s Women’s Club play a vital roll in bringing a wide variety of volunteer services to our community. They commit their time serving coffee and hot chocolate during the City’s summer concerts in the Park, assist recreation staff with providing 25 volunteers to run Brisbane’s Monte Carlo Night Community fundraiser and coordinate volunteers for the Community Water Carnival and Community Festival.

Dan Waters: The City of Brisbane would like to recognize Dan Waters for his effortless voluntary contribution of time to the City of Brisbane. Dan with support from Mary, his wife of 22 years and his three children, Nina, Jenny and Aaron, has been prominent in youth sports, community enhancement projects and teen activities.

Dan is currently serving his 2nd term as a Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commissioner. He is an original Adult Member of the Brisbane Youth Advisory Committee, which spans 6 years. Dan is one of the original members of the Brisbane Youth Sports Association, now in its 5th year. Not only has Dan been coaching his children, but has continued to be a popular coach within the community for a variety of sports programs for the past 7 years.

Dan has dedicated countless hours and labor in creating the Brisbane Skatepark. He drew plans, organized volunteers and still assists with the Skatepark maintenance. Contribution of his free time to the community clean-ups, facility improvements and labor for numerous special events displays just how unselfish and dedicated Dan is to the community of Brisbane. These are but a few highlights of the many contributions Dan has made.

Thank you Dan!

City of Burlingame Parks & Recreation

Peter Wickman: Rain or shine, every Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM volunteer Peter Wickman is at Burlingame High School organizing the City of Burlingame Parks and Recreation Departments 35+ drop-in soccer program. This very successful program was the brainchild of Peter’s. He organizes as many as 60 men and women onto the two cross-fields at Burlingame High School’s synthetic playing field for some very spirited play. Peter was also the AYSO President for two years and is very active in the community. He is a real asset to the City of Burlingame.

City of Campbell

Pat Laufman: Pat Laufman has contributed over 50,000 volunteer hours to the Campbell Historical Museum and Ainsley House. Pat is an active member of the Campbell Museum Foundation board, which raises money for the general operating support of the Historical Museum and Ainsley House. In addition to working fundraising events, she manages the three Museum stores for the Foundation. Pat volunteered over 750 hours in 202, without her contribution the Foundation Board would miss both her volunteer work and her warm disposition.

Community Gatepath

Art Harding: On behalf of the staff and program participants from the Adult Day programs at Community Gatepath, it is with great enthusiasm that we nominate Art Harding as our recipient of the "Volunteer Citation Award". As a retired school bus driver with San Mateo County, Art brings over 25 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities. Art personifies an exceptional spirit of volunteerism in everything that he does! Art’s genuine warmth, friendliness and compassion for others have made him a "magnet" for our agency staff and participants alike. The special way in which Art communicates with our participants helps make them feel involved, connected and valued. Thanks to Art’s impressive "green thumb", our seniors have been able to create, maintain and enjoy a spectacular patio garden full of beauty and life. His willingness to get participants involved in every aspect of this project is an example of how Art continually empowers our clients to succeed. Art’s warm and caring personality, active listening skills and positive attitude have had a tremendous effect on our participants. Art’s undying passion for giving to others has made an indelible impression on our Adult Day programs and the agency as a whole. We are extremely fortunate to have such a "gem" for a volunteer. We love Art so much that we wish we could hire him as a staff person!

City of Cupertino Parks & Recreation

Joan Condy: Joan Condy has been a faithful and dedicated volunteer for well over ten years at the Cupertino Senior Center. She started volunteering in several capacities, such as kitchen work, special events work, fundraising and social events. She would step in and help whenever and wherever needed, often teaching others the ropes. She became chairperson for Special Events and took over the kitchen responsibilities of the Monthly Social and Birthday Parties and regularly attends the monthly Volunteer Advisory Council meetings. In 1996 she became chairperson for the Bingo Program. Joan has been chairing the center’s Bingo Program ever since. She holds quarterly committee meetings to determine game changes, equipment updates and surveys other senior centers and participants to continually improve on the program and to keep abreast of the place for seniors to interact and socialize. With the support of her committee and generous donation from the estate of a longtime bingo participant, the bingo program is able to offer occasional luncheons prior to bingo games. Joan Condy is a tireless and hardworking volunteer and we are happy she is part of the Cupertino Senior Center.

Daly City Parks and Recreation Department

Ronald Alferez: Ronald Alferez began working as an assistant/junior camp counselor in our Gymnastics Action Camp through the Pathways to Success program. His main responsibilities included assisting with games, encouraging and supporting youth through teambuilding activities and to assist the counselors as needed; however, Ronald was more than that. Ronald came to work daily with positive attitude and desire to help out in however way he could. When Ronald’s summer school ended, he increased his hours for 20 hours a week to 30 hours a week and volunteered during hours he was not assigned to work. The youth and staff loved working with him. Moreover, when his program through Pathways to Success ended, he continued to volunteer until the last day of the last session of summer camp. Ronald is an exceptional worker. He has a very helpful nature and is hard working. Furthermore, I am happy to say that next summer he should be old enough to work, so if he has the time and would like to work, I would be glad to hire him!

Lizette Kohler: Lizette Kohler has done an outstanding job, volunteering and dedicating her time during the summer, to make sure the Daly City Junior Giant’s program is recognized by the Junior Giant’s Organization. Whether it’s emailing the JGO with some updated information, completing nomination forms for outstanding coaches and participants, attending glove drives or returning phone calls about DC Junior Giants representation for the Welcome Luncheon, Lizette is always available. She has a positive attitude that really shine brightly and WOW… is she organized. She is always willing to lend a helping hand in making sure the youth of our community are positive role models to one another and the city. At the end of summer she was available to help out on Junior Giant’s Day where she made sue our participants and coaches knew were to go and what to do. This year was extra special because, thanks to Lizette’s kind and truthful words one of our coaches was selected as the "Coach of the year". Volunteers are a GREAT asset to our community and Lizette is a perfect example of what a true volunteer is! THANKS LIZETTE!!!

Tere Massey: Tere Massey volunteers with boundless energy for the Senior Services Division of the City of Daly City. Tere has been a member and volunteer of Doegler Senior Center for nine years totaling to 3572 hours, serving on the Advisory Council, in the deli, on our travel program and for special events. Most significantly, Tere took a year of training with the YMCA including First Aid and CPR to be able to assist as an Aerobic Dance Instructor for our indoor mall walk collaborative, the Walkabout. Tere now teaches her own aerobic class each week. Tere has also committed her time to city wide multicultural collaborative that serves monolingual economically challenged elders. Tere took her first foray into intergenerational work telling stories to young children from our local childcare program.

Tiffany Won: Tiffany Won began volunteering as a Junior Lifeguard Swimmer’s Aide. Prior to the 2002 summer beginning, she expressed an interest to help out with a summer camp. Throughout the summer, Tiffany assisted with both the Aquatics program, as an assistant to swim instructors and the Gymnastics Action Camp, as an assistant to the camp leaders. Tiffany proved to be reliable, responsible, hardworking and an inspiration to youth staff and parents. Tiffany has been a tremendous help to our organization and will excel in all that she commits herself to do. I hope to be able to hire her some day, but at this time she is too young to work!

Foster City Parks & Recreation Department

Richard Olden: Richard became active with the Senior Program last year after he received his Masters Degree in Gerontology. Initially, Richard wanted to start a referral business and contract with the Department. Instead for the past year Richard has been providing Gerontology services free of charge and volunteering once a week to meet with seniors. Once a month he provides free blood pressure checks for seniors. The senior lunch program started I February 2002 and since that time Richard has committed to attend every lunch and helps distribute lunches. Richard also teaches seniors basic computer skills and knowledge of the Internet. In November 2002, the department received a grant from the California Wellness Foundation to help fund Richards’ efforts and to ensure the continuity of the quality of work he provides. The Foster City Parks and Recreation Department and the Senior Program are grateful for Richards’ efforts and time.

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

Arthur Deex: As a member of the Volunteer Trail Patrol program, Arthur Deex actively participates in the protection and monitoring of District open space lands. Since joining the program in April 2000, Arthur has contributed over 450 hours of service distributing information, brochures and maps to preserve visitors, educating visitors about proper trail use and safety and providing staff with information on trail use patterns and trail conditions. This year, Arthur also helped schedule a safety enrichment training assisted with the District’s soon to be published trail guide book, participated in the annual deer count program and critiqued and edited the new on-line trail patrol report forms. He was also awarded the 2002 "Trail Patrol Volunteer of the Year" award. Arthur has seemingly endless amount of energy and enthusiasm as well as a great sense of humor. The District appreciates his volunteer efforts and his dedication to protecting and monitoring the open space preserves.

City of Milpitas

Van La: Van La, a 10th grade student at Milpitas High School, has donated over 100 hours (in just 6 months). She has volunteered for 8 of the City’s Special Events and has politely and willingly helped collate, stuff and label over 15,000 pieces of mailing from recreation Senior Programs newsletters to School Safety Programs in the Transportation Division. Van continues to be an invaluable asset to the volunteer program and has recruited 12 peers to join MVP.

City of Mountain View

Monica Lipscomb: The City of Mountain View’s Senior Center offers a wide variety of programming with classes, special events and workshops. One particular workshop that is offered tops that list, not just because it consistently has a waiting list of participants wanting to join in, but because of the instructor. Monica Lipscomb is that instructor. Monica joined the Senior Center volunteer staff in June of 2000 as the Computer Workshop instructor. Since that time she has given a series of classes from how to set up an email account to how to work with graphics and photos. Monica’s commitment to the continued education for seniors has allowed many seniors to learn and understand today’s technology. Monica’s teaching style and knowledge has students returning to take classes month after month. The City of Mountain View is honored and privileged to have someone of Monica Lipscomb’s Caliber as a part of our team.

City of Redwood City
Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department

St. Vincent de Paul Society Redwood City Homeless Conference: Everyday, Monday through Friday, for the last 14 years, the St. Vincent de Paul Society Redwood City Homeless Conference has provided food, toiletries, shower vouchers, sleeping bags and other items to homeless single adults in our community – men and women who have lost their jobs or for some reason have found themselves without a home. This service provides an important complement to Redwood City’s Human Services Program that provides shelter referrals, but often has a long waiting period due to a shortage of shelter slots. Additionally, this all-volunteer organization is an important partner in providing throughout the year – securing both food and volunteers to assist with these programs. The volunteer support and services of the St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Conference is an integral part of Redwood City’s efforts to respond to the human services needs of out local community.

City of San Carlos

Barbara Billings – AYSO Regional Commissioner: The San Carlos Park & Recreation Department is fortunate to work with outstanding volunteers like Barbara Billings in order to offer quality programs and life experiences for young people. Barbara embarked on her years of service with the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) in 1989 as a U8 coach for her son’s team. Over the last 13 years, she has contributed to the organization as Coordinator for Boys U10 and dU12 Divisions, Girls’ League Director and ultimately the Regional Commissioner for Region 107. Her efforts in organization, attention to detail and cooperative community spirit have resulted in the most respected AYSO program in the area and earned her praise and recognition from the AYSO National Board. At the local level she has worked diligently to maintain a quality recreational sports experience for youth, including supporting the city’s commitment to maintain mandatory training for all youth sports coaches. Barbara has spearheaded a movement to acquire artificial turf fields in order to better serve the demand for athletic fields in San Carlos. After stepping down as the regional Commissioner, she will continue to donate her time to benefit the organization, the community and the young athletes in San Carlos.

Jason Bright: Jason worked with San Carlos volunteers to create a SAFE HALLOWEEN event for the youth of our community. He volunteered over 200 hours to be the general chair for the Haunted House and the Halloween Carnival. He took full responsibility for the event from creation, marketing, advertising, construction, volunteer coordinator, budgeting, record keeping and cleanup. During his volunteer time he developed assets with local youth by modeling for them responsibility, integrity and hard work. He also created a safe, creative atmosphere and supported other adult and youth volunteers in this project. He taught our youth to get involved and established a high sense of self worth for many of the participants. Thank you Jason for all of your volunteer time to create a SAFE HALLOWEEN for our children.

Helen Epstein: Helen Epstein has been a volunteer at the San Carlos Senior Center for 20 years. In addition to leading a variety of programs such as Tai Chi, Healing Links and a Writers Workshop, Helen ahas developed a new and innovative program, The Perfect Rose. Helen designed The Perfect Rose as a social group of men and women interacting and getting involved in such activities as going out to lunch or dinner, playing games, arts & craft, going to a show, potluck meals, tours of local interest and community service projects. Once a week the group meets at the Senior Center to plan upcoming activities outside the Center, to work on a service project or play games. Her philosophy and direction is strong in leading this group of individuals to develop their own activities that are JUST FOR FUN! She is adamant that there is no time allowed to complain about aches and pains, but rather time full of positive energy and fellowship. The Perfect Rose started 2 years ago with about 8 members and has grown to over 30 members. Helen’s vision for a positive way to connect people has been hugely successful in providing many seniors an opportunity for meaningful activity and friendship.

Cassie Ligh: Cassie is a 5.1 GPA Junior at Sequoia High School. Her energetic, healthy lifestyle is emphasized by her involvement with the Junior Nationals Volleyball Association. She is a tutor for an elementary school age child and is a Key Club community service member at her high school. Cassie is a member of the San Carlos Youth Advisory Council and volunteers her time for the betterment of San Carlos for all youth. She was instrumental in the creation of the Youth Assets Initiative in San Carlos and has spoken to numerous San Carlos youth organizations on the benefits of building assets in our youth. In addition, Cassie is also a spokesperson for the 40 Developmental Youth Assets Initiative in the County of San Mateo. She travels the country spreading the important message of building assets in our youth to encourage the development of healthy, competent adults. Thank you Cassie for all of your volunteer time and all your dedication to the youth of San Carlos and San Mateo County.

Norma Liedtke: For the past seven years, Norma Liedtke has been volunteering in the San Carlos Park Parks and Recreation Special Needs Program for teenagers and adults. She has given her time and energy weekly on Thursday evenings to help teach the handicapped participants independent living skills, such as basic cooking and kitchen cleanliness. Norma has been an excellent role model for the participants, ages 13 to adult with her patience, cheerfulness and team player attitude. Norma greatly assisted the San Carlos Parks and Recreation Department as a volunteer staff who helps set-up the evening recreation activities, run and supervise the activities and clean-up after the activities are done. In addition, Norma helps with the annual fundraisers and gathering of charitable donations. Thank you, Norman for all you have contributed to the success of the San Carlos Special Needs Program.

Michael Lumsden: Michael is a sophomore at Bellermine High School and lives in San Carlos. He is the present Chair of the San Carlos Youth Advisory Council. He also sits in advisory as the youth board member for the Sam Trans transportation authority. In addition he is an advocate for the 40 Developmental Youth Assets and is a spokesperson for the County of San Mateo for the Youth Assets Initiative. Tutor of 5th and 6th graders, Mentor, 1st Class role model, Youth Delegate at the 2002 League of Cities Conference, plus much more, Michael is a shining example to all youth in San Carlos of what a young person can accomplish. Thank you Michael for your many hours of volunteer service.

Claudia Quinn: Claudia Quinn has been volunteering in the San Carlos parks and Recreation Special Needs Program for teenagers and adults since 1992. Claudia has given her time and energy weekly on Thursday evenings to help teach the handicapped participants independent living skills such as basic cooking and kitchen cleanliness. Claudia also challenged the handicapped participants in the are of arts and crafts. Claudia prepared the projects to be taught, set-up the supplies and directed the procedures for completing the arts and crafts items. Claudia has been an excellent role model for the participants, ages 13 to adult with her patience, ability to challenge and up-beat/can-do attitude. Claudia greatly assisted the San Carlos parks and Recreation Department as a volunteer staff who helps set-up the evening recreation activities, run and supervise the activities and clean-up after the activities are done. In addition, Claudia helps with the annual fundraisers and gathering of charitable donations. Thank you, Claudia for all you have contributed to the success of the San Carlos Special Needs Program.

City of San Mateo

Lola Chin: Lou Chin has been a tremendous asset to the San Mateo Parks and Recreation Dance program. She is a performer in our Seniors in Show Biz performing troupe and also serves as the behind the scenes assistant with the operations of the troupe providing such vital support as distributing materials regarding schedules and rehearsals and collecting music and organizing costumes. She also is an invaluable help to the Dance program operation, assisting with such administrative duties as filling leotard orders to ensure each young dancer has affordable dancewear, processing and logging service evaluations, organizing fall placement letters and response, processing make-up slips and numerous other important administrative support tasks. She has also served on the San Mateo Dance Association, the department’s dance advisory board for over 20 years acting first as Treasurer and now as Historian documenting with photos and articles of all of our activities on an annual basis. Her other activities as an SMDA board member include participating in the major fund raising activities, the membership drive and the Spring show food sale, assisting with decorations and props for the Holiday and Spring Dance Shows and generally being available for whatever needs to be done. All of this is done in addition to her performing in both Shows with the Seniors in Show Biz. In addition, she has set-up a Wing Chin Memorial Fund that she contributes to annually assisting young dancers in their future studies of dance. She is truly a very dedicated and vital asset to our division and deserves recognition for the hours of volunteer work she gives so generously.

Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation

Roy Ichinaga: Mr. Roy Ichinaga is Santa Clara County Parks choice for a 2003 CPRS District IV Volunteer/Sponsor Citation Award. He represents volunteerism’s best within our organization. Roy has been awarded the "Volunteer of the Year" award twice during his tenure with County Parks. He is truly appreciated by both staff and visitors at the many parks where he has contributed his time and talents. In the five years that Roy has been a volunteer, he has contributed over 15,000 hours of volunteer service. Some of his major accomplishments include completion of various irrigation construction and repair at Hellyer County Park; volunteer leadership at various river clean-up and trail work projects at Hellyer and Santa Teresa Parks; completion of numerous carpentry projects at Hellyer Park; as well as normal routine maintenance assistance that he provides 1-2 days each week. We are blessed to have Roy working with us as a County Parks Volunteer. He embodies our program catchphrase as a lead member of "The Outdoor Help Corps".

San Francisco Recreation and Park Department

Donald Bird and David Young: The West Bank of Dolores Park along the train tracks was notorious for drug deals and trash. Donald Bird and David Yang decided six years ago to do something about it. They started with trash pick-up and working with the Police to monitor park activities. Not long after, Donald and David outreached to their Community to form "The Friends of Dolores Park". In collaboration with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, they began monthly garden work parties too clean up and re-landscape the West Bank.

Now the walk along 20th and 18th Street is a delight. Bursting with brilliant colors and varied plant textures, the stroll along this pathway is like a stroll in the Arboretum. David and Donald spend up to 2 hours each morning pulling weeds, sweeping, pruning, and picking up trash. After their morning routine it is hard to find a cigarette butt on this urban walk. For the Muni bus driver who passes this area, Donald and David are folk heroes, the Muni driver informs the riders, if you keep your eyes peeled are sure to see these folks: equipped with pick sticks, garbage bags an drakes keeping this area beautiful.

One Brick: One Brick makes volunteering easy and fun! This web based organization taps into the enthusiasm of individuals and brings them together to create a large community of fantastic volunteers. In less than two years, One Brick has organized approximately fifty volunteers each month to participate in restoration and beautification activities in San Francisco parks and recreation centers. One Brick has enabled the community and Department to envision and complete projects. This past November, One Brick gave a fresh start to Margaret Hayward Playground. In recreation Director, Joan Pierson’s words "I appreciate (One Brick’s) help so… much. I feel like I am in a new place." The group cleaned the recreation room; removed staples from the walls; washed walls, floors, toys, tables and shelves; organized the supply closet; swept the playground; cleaned the sand box and play structure and picked up trash, etc. This is only one example of the many blessings One Brick brings to our park system each month. Thank you One Brick!

City of South San Francisco
Parks, Recreation and Maintenance Services

June Bohnert: June Bohnert has been a volunteer with South San Francisco Senior Services for over five years working as a receptionist/hostess. Her enthusiasm and energy is extremely helpful to the participants and staff as SSF Senior Services. June helps participants with information and referrals, assisting with filling out registration forms, serving lunches, working as a volunteer assistant at our centers special events and offering her ear to listen when someone needs to talk. Her "Can do" attitude is very much appreciated by those she helps. June has been a resident of SSF for 46 years and enjoys swimming at Orange Park pool where she gets her energy and spirit to offer the assistance to those in need, as well as looking after three year old twins who keep her active and busy. South San Francisco Senior Services truly appreciates June’s efforts as a volunteer, who is dedicated to the meaning of helping those help themselves!

Jenny Carp: Jenny Carp has been teaching knitting for the South San Francisco Recreation Department for seven years. She is a popular instructor whose students enjoy learning, fine tuning their skills and sharing with other participants. Earlier this year, Jenny and her students talked about doing something in their community with their skills and they decided to knit and donate caps to local hospitals for their chemotherapy patients. In only three months, they provided 185 caps to children, teens and adults with cancer.

As of December 2002, the group now known as Knitting Pals By The Bay has donated over 700 caps to cancer patients at hospitals such as Kaiser in South San Francisco, Mills in San Mateo, St. Mary’s in san Francisco and Seton in Daly City.

Antonia "Toni" Edwards: Toni Edwards has been an enthusiastic and extremely helpful volunteer at the Magnolia Senior Center for over 10 years. Each week she helps with the registration of the Brown Bag/Second Harvest Food Distribution Program and is also the hostess and receptionist at Magnolia every Friday afternoon. Toni also is an energetic member of the Silver Steppers who volunteer their time by dancing and performing at nursing homes, rehab centers and Senior Centers throughout Northern San Mateo County. As well, Toni volunteers additionally in the kitchen of St. Vincent de Paul in South San Francisco. In her "spare" time, Toni enjoys swimming, arts and crafts, dancing and exercise classes. We are truly fortunate to have Toni at our center and we appreciate her time and dedication in working with older adults in our community.

Cheryl Herrera: Cheryl Herrera has volunteered her time with the South San Francisco Recreation Departments Ballet Folklorico Dance Program. She has organized other parents and established a board of directors and they are working towards becoming a co-sponsored group. The Folklorico program has grown over the years and Cheryl saw a need to assist the instructors by taking over such tasks as requests for performances, keeping track of costumes and helping with publicity. Her efforts have saved the instructors valuable time and administrative costs.

City of Sunnyvale

Kanubhai "Ken" Shah: Kanubhai "Ken" Shah has been providing free notary services to the Sunnyvale Senior Center for 12 years. He received his license as a Notary-Public in 1989 and at that time his wife, Parmaben, was teaching Indian cuisine at the center. She inspired him to offer his notary services to the community and he began volunteering at the Sunnyvale Senior Center. His services are now offered every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month and he will provide services whenever he is available, if needed. Ken enjoys working with seniors and helping them to understand the documents and everything that is involved in notarizing process.

He has lived in Sunnyvale with his wife, son, daughter –in-law and his two granddaughters for 21 years. Although he credits his wife for his inspiration to give something back to the community, he enjoys offering his support. He believes that we have a moral duty as citizens to help our community, especially our seniors. We are very lucky to have him as part of our community and senior center.

Thank you Ken.

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