Category: Make a Difference Monday

Karen and Chris from CA Tutoring Academy generously volunteered their time and materials this summer to provide weekly themed activities that explored science, outer space, music and drama for youth participants in the Jakes Way area. With their help, along with Jakes Way Neighborhood Committee members, the City was able to provide these youth a memorable and educational summer.  Thank you for making a difference!

Forty-four volunteers truly made a difference in Santa Clarita by contributing 100 or more volunteer hours to City programs in 2016.  These Loyalty Club awardees are: Jessica Babos, Bailey Brann, Jino Chough, Dan Chukwuegbo, Jason d’Autremont, Marcus Dawson, Alan Dey, Shayna Divita, Mitzi Esquivel, Maryo Felfel, Janette Garcia, Rosalyn Glenn, Larry Hernandez, Orlando Hernandez, Steve Ioerger, CJ Jones, Rebecca Judd, Nathan Katz, Austin Lauffer, Max Lee, Brenda Lopez, Ron Leibsker, Mike Mackey, Ann Makar, Mimi Mason, Javier Mata, Jr., Justin McWilson, Dikran Melkonian, Joe Miele, Laura Praskin, Chad Phillips, Lawrence Phillips, Stephen Phillips, Melissa Relis, Michael Rimkunas, Michael Schena, Delia Smith, Lynn Turner, Emma Urosevic, Hailey Veloz, Kim Wilson, MacKenzie Wrage, Matthew Yahata, and Dan Young. Thank you for all that you do!

Doug and Judy Penman are devoted City volunteers, particularly for the Cowboy Festival.  They have been volunteering for the Festival every year since 1995 (a year after the Festival started).  Doug and Judy are such avid Cowboy volunteers that they chose to renew their wedding vows at the Festival a few years ago and will once again celebrate their wedding anniversary (their 45^th!) by volunteering at the event in April.  Thank you for your dedication, Doug and Judy!

Marc has been volunteering for the City’s Youth Sports Program for the past four years.  He is a great coach and a wonderful role model for the youth he works with, always bringing out the best in his players.  Win or lose, Coach Mark emphasizes teamwork and a positive attitude.  He always encourages his players to work hard and better themselves.  Thank you for making a difference in these youth’s lives!

Jeff, Barry, Louis, and John are local attorneys who volunteer as judges for the City’s Community Court Diversion Program.  They hear and weigh each case carefully, and ensure that appropriate sentences are given to each teen who goes through Community Court.  They share words of advice and poignant examples to help teens learn from their mistakes and make good choices.  They truly make a difference, and their time and dedication are critical to the success of the program.

Steve has been a dedicated volunteer coach with the City’s Youth Sports Program for more than two years.  His passion, selfless attitude, and positive outlook make him an outstanding role model for the youth he mentors and coaches.  Thank you for all that you do, Coach Steve!

The Santa Clarita Runners Club has been a prolific partner of the City of Santa Clarita for the Santa Clarita Marathon from the beginning.  A dedicated group of Runners Club members organized the first Santa Clarita Marathon in 1995, and many of those volunteers are still active with the event.  Club members serve as advisors and advocates for the Marathon, help promote the event, handle runner registration, coordinate with Race Central, set up pace groups to help other runners, and provide information at the Volunteer Orientation, among others.  They are an integral part of the Marathon and are instrumental in the event’s success every year.

In recognition of National Preparedness Month, the City spotlights Barbara, Maryann and Marion, active CERT volunteers who provide preparedness information to the public at the annual Emergency Expo, participate at business employee safety fairs, and help with the City’s quarterly disaster simulations.  They are very dedicated volunteers who inspire others with their enthusiasm, professionalism, and commitment to helping the community be better prepared for disasters, evidenced in their active participation in their neighborhood emergency preparedness group.

Katie, Gilda, and Sarah, trauma nurses from Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, have been volunteering for the City’s Community Court Diversion Program for several years.  They teach teen participants about the consequences of reckless driving, help them understand why teens have a higher risk of being involved in traffic-related incidents, and share important tips on how to avoid collisions.  These nurses go above and beyond to help Santa Clarita teens be safe while on the road.

Shannon has been volunteering with the City’s Neighborhood Committees for the past five years.  She is proactive, passionate, and committed to the well-being of the community.  Shannon is a positive role model for youth and teens in the Park Sierra Apartments in the Jakes Way neighborhood, and is a dedicated volunteer for the Homework Help Program.  She takes the initiative to take care of the site and assists with reporting graffiti to keep the neighborhood graffiti-free.