The 42nd annual Joint Community Volunteer Service Award luncheon honored a group of community service philanthropists, conservationists and activists Friday at the Los Altos Community Center.
The event was attended by approximately 175 community and administrative officials, including District 5 Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga and Los Altos Police Chief Saskia Lagergren. The recipients were given glass plaques and commendations from Congressman Sam Liccardo, State Senator Josh Becker and Abe-Koga.
Tom Myers, executive director of the Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos, hailed the service of local volunteers as hallmarks of the region’s fellowship and humanity.
“Our community volunteers give something invaluable,” he said at the luncheon. “Volunteers are the quiet example of a strong community.”
The event has recognized more than 350 individuals and organizations in the town communities since its beginning in 1983.
This year’s group included volunteers Peter Brown, Allan Epstein, Joe Fusco, Dede Huffman, Susie Mielke, Mark and JoAnne Morris, Anne Roberts, Carol Starbuck and Eleanor Watanabe.
“They just keep getting better and better year after year,” said Los Altos Mayor Pete Dailey.
Kavita Tankha, mayor of Los Altos Hills, added, “I would like to foster, encourage and celebrate the volunteers who are in this room today.”
Brown, a member of the Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee, was honored for his advocacy for conservation and riparian wildlife.
Epstein, chairman of the Los Altos Hills Finance and Investment Committee, was honored for his enterprising recommendations for cost saving in city operations.
Fusco, president of the Los Altos Village Association, was honored for his work in community festivities, especially in the area of arts and wine.
Huffman, treasurer of MVLA Scholars, was honored for her work with youth foundations.
Mielke, chair of the Veterans Support Committee with Rotary Club of Los Altos, was honored for her public arts fundraising and organizing.
The Morrises, founders of adoptive and family-aid ministry Help One Child, were honored for their ongoing work in supporting at-risk families and youth.
Roberts, education committee member for the Los Altos History Museum, was honored for her nearly two decades of volunteering before her plan to step down this year.
Starbuck, a member of the Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade Association board of directors, was honored for her dedication to the well-loved local event.
Watanabe, former executive director of the Cupertino Educational Endowment Foundation, was honored for her contributions in education, healthcare and the arts.
