For the 17th year, those who volunteer in the Rancho Bernardo community or through organizations associated with it were recognized for their efforts.
The annual Hats Off to Volunteers ceremony honoring 52 individuals was held on Saturday in the Rancho Bernardo High School Performing Arts Center.
Honorees received a special hat along with proclamations from the City of San Diego, County of San Diego and California Assembly, said Marty Judge, who is once again serving as co-chair with Scott Lawn.
During the ceremony, Lawn surprised Judge with a special award to recognize Judge’s many years of community service in Rancho Bernardo.
Hats Off to Volunteers co-chair Scott Lawn surprised his fellow co-chair, Marty Judge, with an award to recognize Judge’s many years of community service in Rancho Bernardo. (Alex Lawn)
The recognition event was sponsored by the RB Community Foundation, while the event’s hosts were the Continuing Education Center at Rancho Bernardo and the Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo.
The education and faith honorees were: Melanie Bamba Milinkevich (Morning Creek Elementary PTA), Andrew Bankston (Meadowbrook Education Foundation), Susan Boetter (Friends of the Rancho Bernardo Library), Kathy Clark (Rancho Bernardo Historical Society), Shannon Clark (Rancho Bernardo High School PTSA), Brett Goldsmith (Meadowbrook PTA), Lois Goodman (San Diego Oasis Tutoring), Stephanie Knish (San Diego Oasis), Lucille Rabinowitz (The Continuing Education Center), Liz Schwartz (Rancho Bernardo High School Friends of the Library) and Heather Watters-Thomas (Bernardo Heights Middle School). The presenter was San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert.
The safety, health and human services honorees were: Alexander Chucholowski (Backyard Produce Project), James Dunphy (Palomar Health Volunteer Services), Carla Hernandez (Backyard Produce Project), Sheri Hughes (Ride Above Disability Therapeutic Riding Center), Robin Kaufman (Friends of Fire Station No. 33), Kim Linnell (Gently Hugged), Gloria Soltstad (RB Neighborhood Watch) and Ruth Thorpe (Rancho Bernardo Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol). The presenter was Assemblymember Darshana Patel.
Those honored for serving the community’s seniors, youths and veterans were: Barbara Dacy (Quilts of Valor San Diego North County), Lisa Friedrichs (Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial Association), Sue Gupta (Ed Brown Center for Active Adults), Marilyn Harrison (Rancho Bernardo Senior Services), Paul Konopka (Military Order of World Wars), Belinda Pullett (Girl Scouts of Rancho Bernardo), Jane Radatz (The Remington Club), Jerry Shirley (John R. Simpson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1513), Justin Souza (Scouts BSA Troop 685) and Sonia Souza (Scouts BSA Troop 685). The presenter was County Supervisor Joel Anderson.
The honorees representing community associations were: Carole Graziano (Community Association of Bernardo Heights), Andrea Harkenrider (Westwood Club), Ann Ross (Eastview Community Center), Pat Stevens (Casa de Las Campanas), Lorna Underwood (Gateway Park Senior Living) and Sharon Watson (Seven Oaks Community Center). The presenter was Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation President Debbie Kurth.
The civic and business groups honorees were: Eric Estremera (Spirit of the Fourth), Matthew Greco (Rancho Bernardo Community Council), Sally Grigoriev (Rancho Bernardo Community Recreation Group), Katie Kemple (Rancho Bernardo Democratic Club), Debbie Kurth (Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation), Jim Nadlonek (Rancho Bernardo Planning Board) and Charmagne Tabor (Rancho Bernardo Republican Women). The presenter was former San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith.
Those honored for their volunteer work in service clubs and organizations were: Mark Berdan (Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club), Patrick Chaffee (Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo), Bridget Denihan (Soroptimist International North San Diego), Judy Fizzard (Bernardo Gardeners Club), Toni Kraft (Kiwanis Club of Poway and the Ranches), Gerry Lee (Rancho Bernardo Lions Club), Lisa McDunn (4 Paws of Love pet therapy), Sandy Peavey (Love on a Leash), Lonni Post (Rancho Bernardo Woman’s Club) and Ajar Vashisth (Rancho Bernardo Toastmasters). The presenter was Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo President Michael Ortiz.