On Monday March 19th at the Riviera
Room, the Catalina Island Conservancy held its 9th annual Volunteer
reception to honor and celebrate its valuable corps of volunteers. In the year
2000 alone, Conservancy volunteers, both from the island and mainland, collectively
volunteered over 13,000 hours of their time! Volunteers enjoyed a hosted cocktail
hour thanks to the Marineros, one of the Conservancy's major support groups.
Joanna Arnold and her staff at the Riviera Room put on a beautiful display on
the buffet tables. Each of the tables was adorned with a delectable bottle of
chardonnay donated by Alison and Jeff Rusack of Rusack Vineyards. Volunteers
were able to walk around and view display boards that showed all of the volunteers
that had participated in projects within each department of the Conservancy.
The awards ceremony kicked off with a welcome speech from the Director of
Volunteer Services, Annette Shears. She informed her audience that 2001 was designated
by the United Nations as the International Year of Volunteers. The very fact
that volunteerism is being recognized on a world wide scale is indicative to
the positive impact that volunteers make on their local communities and how far
reaching those effects are on a global scale. Some Conservancy staff shared some
touching words about how volunteers have positively impacted their own lives
and how the energy and life experiences that each volunteer brings with them
also keeps Conservancy staff members energized and inspired in their work.
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Congratulations to the following volunteers with the top hours for 2000:
- Steve Story - 506 hours
- Mary Story - 422 hours
- Dean Hill - 323 hours
- Bob Kopolow - 279 hours
- Boyd Cargill - 274 hours
- Judy Hibbs - 262 hours
- Bruce Moore - 244 hours
- Dennis McDonald - 227 hours
- Paul McIlroy - 217 hours
- Whitey Mendenhall - 202 hours
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Special recognition was given to teachers that believe in volunteerism and
promote stewardship of Santa Catalina Island to their students through the Catalina
ISLAND (Investigations Stimulating Learning About Natural Diversity) programs
for K-6 students. The importance of instilling this value in children is immeasurable.
They are: Dorthea Sanchez of Avalon Christian School, Avalon School's Mary
Lou Eroen, Dr. Linda Martinez, Erica Minuto, Jani Hall, Karen Hall, Tina Keene,
Martina Johnson, Lindsey Mattingly, and Avalon High school's class of 2000 with
Wayne Herbst.
Junior Volunteers were recognized and honored for their individual
acts of volunteerism in 2000. These young volunteers today will be the future's
volunteers. They are Layla Alazzawi, Brendyce Budd, Christina Calise, Lauren
Calise, Erik Campos, Osvaldo Campos, Aimee Claggett, Hayley Cushing, Danny Felts,
George Foote, Natalie Foote, Haylee Fortson, Noah Fortson, Valerie Guagliardo,
Katie Herbst, George Hernandez, Leonel Hernandez, Matt Hibbs, Bryan Hunt, Jake
Long, Jared Long, Flynn Lopez, Cassie McDonald, Chelsea McDonald, Jade Mead,
Carolyn Morison, Robert Morison, Bayard Nielsen, Ted O'Shaughnessy, Mayra Ocampo,
Travis Overbeck, Mario Pedroza, Amelia Ribbens, Autum Ribbens, Hilary Ribbens,
Jennifer Romero, Jessica Romero, Dylan Schuyler, Peyton Seals, Tatiana Sullivan,
Brenna Thompson, Richie Unatin, Dena Upton, Gregory Vander Velde, and Adan
Vega.
Get involved! Learn about new and exciting conservation work and educational
outreach opportunities. Call Annette Shears at (310) 510-2595 ext.102 or email Volunteers@CatalinaConservancy.org to
become part of our wonderful corps of volunteers. |
