Sun Post/Orange County Register Friday, February 22, 2008
And the winners are in ... the 2007 "Citizen of the Year," "Business of the Year," "Educator of the Year," "Volunteer of the Year" and "Outstanding Lifetime Achievement" award winners have been honored by the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce.
The awards were given at the Chamber's "Annual Meeting of Members, Installation of Officers & Directors and Award Ceremony," on Thursday.
Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award: Ms. Betty Comer
"When I began work (at St. Clement's Church), they asked for someone to work the phones," she said. "Well, my legs didn't work too well, but my mouth still did."
Betty has volunteered over 44,000 hours over the last 22 years. She came to San Clemente in 1955 as a young teenager with her parents, when her father built a duplex at 213 de la Grulla. Betty has been a faithful member of St. Clement's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church (right around the corner from her home) since coming to town. Betty still lives in that quaint duplex.
Betty, in her youth, worked at the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce. She was well versed in all the businesses of this community. In her mid-30s, Betty underwent ulcer surgery, actually legally died on an operating table during ulcer surgery. This left a vibrant young woman unable to speak, see or walk. Though it took a number of years, she fought back from this tragedy to regain limited mobility, some sight and a good amount of speech.
Betty moved from a wheelchair to a cane by forcing herself to walk down the street to a "job" (as she refers to her volunteer work) that she loves. She has consistently volunteered over 40 hours per week (well over 2,000 hours per year) at the parish. She administers a program connecting people in the community with competent mental health professionals, as well as greeting all who come through the doors with a smile and "how can I help you?" She speaks some Spanish, and directs people coming for Camino Health Access' WIC program administered once per week at St. Clement's as well as the students for the ESL Cafe Program through Capistrano Unified School District, which also meets 4 days a week at St. Clement's. She coordinates events at the church with the City of San Clemente as needed, coordinate's publicity for various events with the Sun Post and works with the administration at Las Palmas School for the various events St. Clement's helps them with.
Betty has no fine motor skills, and types detailed messages and meeting notes with the eraser end of a pencil. She is the secretary for the parish Vestry (governing board), and for the Episcopal Church Women's group as well as a coordinator for San Clemente's ecumenical Church Women United group. She is amazing.
More than this, Betty is the smile that people in deep need and hurt first see when they come to St. Clement's. Betty Comer is a great part of the ministry to the community. She has given away her lunch more than she's ever eaten a complete one. She is generous and kind to a fault, and exemplifies what it means to be a member of the San Clemente community. She knows so many of the old families - and a growing number of the new families - by name, although often she relies on hearing their voices as she can't see them clearly.
"I can't believe I'm getting an award for something I love," she said. "I get up every day and say 'thank you Lork for my job' – it's a glorious adventure.
Educator of the Year: Dana Hurlbut
Dana Hurlbut is a second grade teacher at Marblehead Elementary. Dana has been a teacher for 15 years. In the Capistrano Unified School District she has taught at Bergeson, Bathgate and Marblehead School, which she helped to open.
Below are the areas Dana excels in:
Human Relations - Dana Hurlbut is a contributor. She is a vital member of the school team and her second grade team. Dana excels at accepting all children and making individual accommodations.
Professional Growth - Dana has logged in over 170 hours of staff development above and beyond her teaching credential. She has earned a Reading Instruction Certificate and has served as the school English Language Development Coordinator.
Creativity - Dana's room environment is a tribute to her creativity. Student work is prominently displayed in engaging and artful ways. She goes the extra mile to make her classroom a colorful, joyful place.
Community Involvement - Dan is coordinating a program with her second grade class and the San Clemente Villas Retirement Community. Each of her second graders has established a pen pal at the Villas. The students practice their friendly letter writing skills and the seniors share rich life memories.
Dana is also active in our community with her involvement in sports leagues and dramatic arts events. She is active in the San Clemente Boys and Girls Club, AYSO Soccer, National Jr. Basketball, and the Saddleback Church-SC Campus. Dana volunteers for the Ocean Festival, Fiesta Street Festival and the San Clemente Exchange Club events.
Business of the Year: Wal-Mart
"What we do is serve others," said Wal-Mart Manager Leo Dennis. "The satisfaction in my work comes mainly from knowing I can use my influence to help others and make others lives better."
The Business of the Year Award went to Wal-Mart and the criteria includes Community Involvement, Chamber Support, and Business Standards. With Leo Dennis at the helm as Manager, Wal-Mart has proven to be an asset to the community in the following ways:
Community Involvement, Organization Membership, Service Hours and Contributions to Non-Profit Organizations: As a member of the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce, Wal-Mart has engaged in events hosted by Arthritis Foundation, MS society and Special Olympics. Wal-Mart donated over $40,000 in 2007.
Youth Business Education: Directly involved in events hosted by Children's Miracle Network and the Padre Foundation.
Chamber Support and Community Involvement: Leo Dennis is a Board member of the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce.
Service House and In-Kind Donations: Wal-Mart employees are involved in their local Chamber and the business community at large. Donating valuable time and energy, including: San Clemente's Chamber of Commerce Board member 2007 and supporting all the Chamber Events such as the San Clemente Charity Golf Tournament, Fiesta Street Festival, Taste of San Clemente and several Marine Corps Events.
Business Standards and Innovative Progress Techniques: Wal-Mart continually strives to be in the forefront with the latest technology to stream line their operating system. They have expanded the store and added new inventory to suit the customer's needs.
Show Support of Business: Wal- Mart continually shows their support for the business community through their involvement in various organizations as well as the Chamber of Commerce. Their leadership in the community is invaluable.
Customer Service: The customer service demonstrated by Wal-Mart is exceptionally professional and courteous.
Ethics and Image: During the fall 2007 fires, Leo and his relative's home were in jeopardy. Yet, he made time to assist other citizens in need. Through Leo, Wal-Mart offered donations to the evacuees at San Clemente State Beach and the Wal-Mart parking lot was utilized as an evacuation site. The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce and City of San Clemente applauded Wal-Mart for their contributions to the community and area at large.
Citizen of the Year: Bill Thomas
Bill Thomas took home the prominent 2007 Award. Bill received the Citizen of the Year Award for his outstanding contribution to the City of San Clemente and its citizens.
Background: In January 2000, while Chairman of the City of San Clemente Parks & Recreation Commission, Bill Thomas and members of the commission prioritized establishing the non-profit "Friends of San Clemente Beaches, Parks & Recreation Foundation, Inc." now called "San Clemente Beaches, Parks & Recreation Foundation, Inc. The specific goal of the non-profit organization is to financially support beaches, parks and recreation and cultural services within San Clemente. Bill coordinated the founding members and the non profit's initial Board of Directors. He also coordinated the Foundations' constitution and by-laws, filing for incorporation on December 13, 2000 with the California Secretary of State and the State Franchise Board to make the foundation an official and recognized "non-profit".
One of the first items on the Foundation's agenda (in January 2001) was to raise money to help build another municipal swimming pool to compliment the popular, yet overcrowded, Ole Hanson Beach Club, which leads to Bill's continued interest and involvement in the fundraising for La Pata/Vista Hermosa Sports Park & Aquatic Center.
He and his wife Diane also personally donated nearly $2,000. His work on the committee also ensured a successful fundraiser launch in which over 500 people attended back in October 2006 to bring attention to the funding gap the exists to construct this park and the need for community support.
2007: He is currently serving on the LPVH park fundraising committee. Bill has consistently led the charge to formalize the relationship with the City of San Clemente as partners in this fundraising endeavor and to enhance the Foundation's fundraising ability for the new park.
In May 2007, the City Council approved and authorized the Mayor to execute an agreement between the City and the Foundation for the park fundraiser. Bill's efforts on the fundraising committee enabled a total of $150,000 in financial commitments to be raised to date for this park.
In 2007, he has continued to speak to service organizations, making presentations on the sponsorship opportunities available at the park. This includes working with the San Clemente Rotary Club's Mardi Gras Event in which 50% of the funds raised will go to the foundation.
Bill is now working with the fundraising committee members on the coordination of the groundbreaking of Phase 1A for the park which is scheduled to take place January 17th. Bill continues to serve on the Parks & Recreation Commission as a member (no longer the Chairman) making valuable contributions that enhance the San Clemente community.
In addition to his efforts with the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Foundation, Inc., Bill continued his work in 2007 as Director of the SrNet Cyber Café whose mission is to teach senior citizens to work computers. This non-profit business has provided 2,500 seniors with an educational opportunity that otherwise would not be available.
Bill also served on the Ocean Festival Board in 2007
In summary, Bill Thomas is a model citizen. In 2007, he consistently worked to improve the lives of San Clemente youths and seniors. He is well regarded by the City of San Clemente and the business community.
Many thanks to Bill for his outstanding contributions and commitment to the City of San Clemente and its residents.
Volunteer of the Year: Mike Johnson
Mike Johnson receives the distinguished 2007 "Volunteer of the Year" Award. Many individual go beyond the call of duty as a Chamber member and exhibit an untiring commitment to the organization. They all have separate job or run their own businesses. However, they contribute hundreds of hours a year to your Chamber of Commerce to make sure the Mission Statement and program of work is carried out.
"I love San Clemente, I believe in San Clemente and I believe in the future of San Clemente," he said.
Mike is best known for his efforts in respect to the Chamber's Ambassador Council, which he Co-Chaired. Mike has continued to expand the Council. In addition, he strives to enhance their Program of Work, always keeping at the forefront the principles of the Ambassadors - To generate goodwill among the present and potential Chamber of Commerce members, local business and the community in which we live and conduct business.
Mr. Johnson has volunteered for every event the Chamber held in 2007. Including, the Installation and Awards Ceremony, Charity Golf Tournament, Fiesta Street Festival, Taste of San Clemente and Marine Events.
Mike is always available to help out, which includes being the Master of Ceremonies at events such as Sunset Networking Mixers and the Taste of San Clemente and handing out presents to children at the Military Celebration.
Mike is always there to lend a hand to the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce.
Accolades go out to all the volunteers for your Chamber of Commerce. Volunteer involvement is what makes the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce the success it is.
Executive Committee: Chairman of the Board - Mike Burke "RBF Consulting;" Vice Chairman - Nick Ragenovich, "Baskin Robbins;" Chief Financial Officer - Chuck Narey, "Hayden, Narey & Persich, C.P.A.;" Immediate Past Chairman - Dr. Adam Crawford, "Oceanview Family Medicine;" 1st Vice Chairman - Jeff Bott, "Transportation Corridor Agencies." and 2nd Vice Chairman - Leo Dennis, "Wal-Mart"
Directors: Bernie Allen - "Law Office of Bernie Allen a Professional Corporation," Ray Golden "Golden Communications," Michael Hahn - "Pacific Coast National Bank," Jim Holbert - "Holbert Insurance," Nancy Hunt - "Keller Williams Realty," Don Kindred - "Kindred Associates," Adele Lux, "Adele at the San Clemente Inn," Dick Rodriguez - "Rod's Tree Service," Jim Valentine - "Sempra Energy," Larry Wohlfarth, Jr. - "San Clemente Glass" & Steve Ynzunza - "Coast Home Inspections"
Sponsored by Farmers & Merchants Bank and Saddleback Memorial Medical Center-San Clemente, on Thursday, February 21, 2008 at the Pacific Golf & Country Club at 6:00 p.m., in beautiful San Clemente.