Text Box: Volunteer Connection Text Box: The Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley

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Text Box: “Spirit of Volunteerism” Luncheon

Clay Hollopeter, 2010

Spirit of Volunteerism Honoree

and Presenter Reyna Del Haro, 2009 Spirit of Volunteerism Honoree
Text Box: In celebration of National Volunteer Week, the Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley held its fourth annual “Spirit of Volunteerism” Luncheon April 21st at Capistrano’s Restaurant in the City of Arcadia. The event was a great success! The “Spirit” Event has been designed as a noncompetitive recognition platform for celebrating the San Gabriel Valley’s most deserving volunteers from local non-profits and businesses. The 2010 Spirit of Volunteerism honoree was Clay Hollopeter, Executive Director, El Monte Boys’ & Girls’ Club. In addition, we recognized the following most deserving volunteers from the San Gabriel Valley: from Pasadena Police Department’s Citizens Assisting Pasadena Police—Tom Pico, Keith Chow, John Kendall, Kristen Stafford, and Shar Stafford; from Pasadena Unified School District Families in Transition— Jenny Lee, Athena Dallas, Theresa Doran, Rocio Ramos, Annette Dyson, and Linda Machida; from Lincoln Training Center– Janel Anderson, Nancy Davidson, Ingelis Jensen, Dottie Nelson, Debbie Okubo, Hara Melillo, Maureen Bateman, and Marny Shay; from Villa Esperanza—Kevin Blount; from Hillsides Children’s Library— Phyllis Parker and Victoria Mordecai; from Joanne Schwartzer at the Accounting Annex—Mabel Yeung, Mengyi Chen, and Helen Sun; from the Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley Meals on Wheels Program—Ron Luettgerodt, Marie Bruno, John Bruno, Chris Dorman, Danna Edwards, Larry Harington, Jean Harrington, Sharon Lundy, Patrick Lundy, and Dave Decker; from Union Station Homeless Services—Burt Dragotis; from Santa Anita Family Services—Anna Escobosa, Gladys Gomez, and Beverly Pohlman; from American Red Cross, Arcadia Chapter—Bob Vernand and Delmer Dill; from Monrovia Public Library—Sister Kathryn Shannon, Ginny Dean, Don Agnew, and Sue Carbone; from the Altadena/Pasadena Community & Church Volunteers—Lena Ortega, Paula Andro, Patricia Charles, Yolondra Tavares, Jackie Horton, Paula Lucas, and Sister Cooper; from Thrivent Financial—Jack Biondolillo; from The Leven Oaks—Richard Du, Sandra Gottlieb, and Richard Stegner; and from Foothill Unity Center—Nita Moots-Kincaid, Connie Garity, Marvel Newton, and Eric Folbrecht. Please plan now to join us next year and honor your most valued volunteers at the 2011 Spirit Awards Luncheon. More information to follow.

Volunteers Honored at the 2010 Spirit of Volunteerism Luncheon

2010 Spirit Event Volunteers
Text Box: VOLUNTEENS

Calling all Volunteers

Ages 12-18!!!

Have fun!!!  Enjoy being one of millions of youth who give back to their community.  The Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley is happy to introduce the VOLUNTEEN Program.  We will connect you with the perfect youth volunteer opportunity allowing you to give back to your community. We will provide the support necessary for you to be successful.

 

We invite you to visit our website at www.volunteercentersgv.org to register and search for the perfect volunteer opportunity for you.

 

 

VOLUNTEEN Certificate Training—The Volunteer Center is offering the VOLUNTEEN Certificate Training on June 12, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.at the Monrovia Public Library – Community Room.  Our VOLUNTEENS will complete a training specifically focusing on becoming a successful youth volunteer.  The certificate training prepares our VOLUNTEENS for their future volunteer opportunities while adding favorably to their resumes and college applications.

 

VOLUNTEEN Council—The Volunteer Center will be developing the VOLUNTEEN Council.  The Council will help plan days of service, organize volunteers and bring in new ideas for volunteer opportunities.  The Council Members will develop leadership skills to add to your college application and resume. 

 

VOLUNTEEN Timesheet & Certification of Completion of Hours—The Volunteer Center offers volunteer time-sheets and certificates of completion of volunteer hours. 

 

For further information, contact Cindy Portillo, Youth Volunteer Coordinator at (626)256‑8189.

VOLUNTEENS mulching.

VOLUNTEENS planting trees.

News Flash!!

The Volunteer Center is very proud to announce that our very own Rebeca Zazueta was honored by Congress Woman Grace Napolitano.  On Saturday, May 15th, Rebeca received the Women of the Year Award as one of the “Unsung Heroines.”  This annual event is an opportunity to recognize women like Rebeca, who have gotten the job done without asking for special recognition or honors.  She has worked tirelessly to improve our community through volunteerism.  We are delighted that Rebeca has been honored as a Women of the Year 2010!  Congratulations Rebeca from the Board and Staff.
Text Box: Community Harvest

The Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley’s Community Harvest Program encourages you to share the bounty of your fruit trees with those in need in your community.  Your fruit will help feed those in need while being tax deductable.

 

Tree Owners… - Does your tree have more healthy fruit than you need?  Would you like to donate your fruit to those in need?  The Community Harvest Program is your resource for donating your fruit.  Arrangements will be made for insured volunteers to harvest your fruit tree and the fruit will be donated to a local food pantry.

 

What fruits? - The Community Harvest Program welcomes any fruit which is; pesticide-free, worm-free, and harvested from the tree (not the ground.)

 

What neighborhoods? - The Community Harvest Program volunteers harvest fruit from Monrovia, San Gabriel and West Covina.

 

For further information please contact the Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley at (626) 256-8187.

Harvest Heroes!

Volunteer Center Staff

GAIN Employee Spotlight

Sally Gomez, Neli Gharapetian, and Mayra Arriaza

Sally Gomez joined our team in September of 2009.  She has been an invaluable employee  working as the Meals on Wheels Coordinator.  Our clients and drivers alike enjoy talking to Sally.  She has added a spark to the Meals  on Wheels program that is so appreciate.  Sally resides in Azusa with her four children: Jessica (20), Christian (18), Raylene (16) and Vincent (14).  In her spare time Sally enjoys watching chick flicks with her daughters.  You can often find Sally cooking, Mexican food is her specialty.  Sally says that her favorite part of her job is talking to the Meals on Wheels clients.  “I love to make them happy,” she says.

Sally Gomez, Meals on Wheels Coordinator.

Neli Gharapetian joined us in October of 2009 as a Court Referral Interviewer/Scanner.  She currently resides in Glendale with her husband of 18 years, Vigen, and  daughter Selin.  Neli is a wonderful asset to our team as she speaks:  Armenian, Farsi, and Arabic.  Neli also has a degree in Culinary Arts.  She attends Glendale Community College, graduating this June with an AS in Nutritional and Dietary Service Supervisor.  In addition to working at the Volunteer Center, she works at the Glendale YWCA as a Life Guard and Swimming Instructor.  Neli says that she has enjoyed learning the different aspects of the Court Referral program.  We are so happy to have Neli working here with us.

Neli Gharapetian,

Court Referral Interviewer/Scanner

In December 2009, the Volunteer Center was happy to have Mayra Arriaza join our team.  Mayra has been busy working as the Court Referral Interviewer/Scanner in our East Los Angeles Office.  She currently resides in South Central Los Angeles with her son Anthony (9). In her spare time, Mayra enjoys writing poetry.  On the weekends Mayra can be found watching her son play soccer.  Mayra says that what she enjoys most about her job at the Volunteer Center is the opportunity she has to help people everyday.  We are so pleased that Mayra is part of our team.

Mayra Arriaza,

Court Referral Interviewer/Scanner