Volunteers Honored at Elks Club

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- For ninety-nine years, the Home of Neighborly Service has been a staple on the west side of San Bernardino. How does a resource continue to be relevant and functional while so many others have closed their doors and ceased operations during the pandemic? Staff, supporters and volunteers!

There is no way to sufficiently show appreciation for all they have done, but board president, Vicki Lee, made the effort by honoring them at the Elks Club on Sunday, December 2, 2021. Present were Office Administrator, Charlene Smith, who is contracted part-Time, but volunteers  full-time, and she was working then, too; the faithful members of the Presbytery, Tom Reynard and David Beard with his wife, Carrie; committed board member and ex-City Councilmember, Virginia Marquez; City Council member for Ward 5, Kimberly Calvin; supportive National Charity League members, Katie Smith and Janet Eagan; from Inland Harvest, David and Patty Knudson; and the devoted volunteers: Norma Badden, James Dutton, Salem Dominguez, Cynthia Rosales, Debbie Willis, Wally and Ruther Peterson, Mary Acosta, Ray and Edith Martin and Noel Kaltenbach. There is a list of contributors which includes but is not limited to: Community Action Partnership, Arrowhead United Way and Santa Claus, Inc., Liz Cruz and Ramon Valasco.

Weekly, the volunteers faithfully come to sort, pack and stack contributions on Thursday to distribute on Friday’s food (hygiene products and clothing, if available) to those in need. Whenever there is an event at The Home: Family Fun Day, Christmas event, Back to School…. the volunteers are there to help. So many people have praised the Home of Neighborly Services for being a safe place for children and families to go over the decades to have fun, relax and to have needs met. Pre-pandemic, Resource Thursdays brought 10-15 vendors who supplied referrals for counseling, housing, how to get bills paid, grocery sources, and the like. When several people can gather again, Resource Thursdays will return. The Home has literally helped to save and sustain lives in the community.

Vicki Lee said a nice meal, some gifts, official San Bernardino pins and coffee mugs from City Councilwoman Calvin, certificates from Supervisor Joe Baca Jr and a heartfelt thank you hopefully showed our volunteers and supporters how much they are appreciated for keeping hope alive in the city of San Bernardino.

Supporters left to right Charlene Smith, 6th ward council member Kimberly Calvin; Edna Wade, Tom Renard, Janet Eagen, Vicki Lee, Virginia Marquez, Katie Smith and David Beard.

Volunteers left to right Mary Acosta, Wally Peterson, Edith Martin, Ruther Peterson, Norma Baden, James Dutton, Salem Dominguez, Debbie Willis, and Cynthia Rosales.

Author: Wallace