Los Altos Town Crier » Huge crowd salutes CSA’s ‘Hometown Heroes’

By Clyde Noel

$Image from article Huge crowd salutes CSA\'s \'Hometown Heroes\'$
From left, Mary-Jo DiMuccio, Sallie Morgan, representing the Coldwell Banker-Seville Office, and Brown Taylor brandish their plaques proclaiming them “Hometown Heroes.”

Last Friday the Community Services Agency presented their Hometown Hero award to three outstanding supporters, Mary-Jo DiMuccio, Brown Taylor and the Coldwell Banker-Seville Office. The annual recognition breakfast, held at the Crown Plaza Cabaña Hotel in Palo Alto, had the largest attendance in its 50-year history.

“This is an extraordinary event when every table is sponsored and almost 300 people come to honor the inductees for their outstanding community support,” said Tom Myers, executive director. “Our client loads are still increasing, but donations are better now that the economy is improving.”

The honorees typically have rolled up their sleeves and worked behind the scenes as well as on the front lines. They rally neighbors and community members to address the economic, physical and social needs of the community.

DiMuccio, chairwoman of the Chefs Who Care program, has increased the latter’s CSA contributions significantly. In four years, she doubled its proceeds from less than $10,000 to more than $20,000 in 2003.

CSA named Brown Taylor in recognition of his long hours and sustained commitment to CSA and the holiday sharing program. “When Brown comes across a client he can help, he is in his glory,” said moderator Curtis Church.

Coldwell Banker-Seville Office has strongly supported CSA for the last 12 years. In lieu of a company holiday party, Coldwell Banker donates the equivalent cost to CSA, providing economic help to offset the enormous needs during the holiday season.

Dick Henning, founder of the Foothill College Celebrity Forum, was the keynote speaker. His humorous behind-the-scenes remarks about different celebrity speakers kept the audience entertained through breakfast. The anecdotes went back as far as 1977 with stories about David Frost, Gerald Ford, Bob Hope and other celebrities who appeared at Flint Center.

“Margaret Thatcher spoke three times in seven years and was never too humorous when she spoke,” Henning said. “In a nonhumorous comment, she told the audience, ‘If you want something read, ask a man to do it. If you want something done, ask a woman.’” Henning didn’t think that was funny.

When asked why single women are always thinner, Lucile Ball said, “When a single woman comes home, she looks at what’s in the refrigerator and then goes to bed. A married woman looks at what is in the bed and then goes to the refrigerator.”

Focusing on two CSA programs, Maureen Wadiak, associate director of CSA, explained Alpha Omega and the Graduate House and the Nutrition Program through a short film.

“Everything we do helps someone because each client has a story to tell,” Wadiak said. “The video examples concentrated on two clients who have improved their life through CSA.”

CSA’s mission is to promote independence and self-sufficiency through direct service.

Dick Henning, founder of the Foothill College Celebrity Forum, was the keynote speaker. His humorous behind-the-scene remarks about different celebrity speakers kept the audience entertained through breakfast. The anecdotes went back as far as 1977 with stories about David Frost, Gerry Ford, Bob Hope and other celebrities who performed at Flint Center.

“Margaret Thatcher spoke three times in seven years and was never too humorous when she spoke,” Henning said. “In a nonhumorous comment, she told the audience ‘If you want something read, ask a man to do it. If you want something done, ask a woman.’” Henning didn’t think that was funny.

When asked why single women are always thinner, Lucile Ball said, “When a single woman comes home, she looks at what’s in the refrigerator, and then goes to bed. A married woman looks at what is in the bed, and then goes to the refrigerator.”

Focusing on two CSA programs, Maureen Wadiak, associate director of CSA, explained Alpha Omega and the Graduate House and the Nutrition Program through a short film.

“Everything we do helps someone because each client has a story to tell,” Wadiak said. “The video examples concentrated on two clients who have improved their life through CSA.”

CSA’s mission is to promote independence and self-sufficiency through direct service. For more information about its programs, call 968-0836.

CSA’s mission is to promote independence and self-sufficiency through direct service. Myers encouraged the breakfast crowd to continue their involvement with CSA because the agency could not exist without their donations of time and money.