By Bruce Barton
 JOE HU/TOWN CRIER The 2006 Joint Community Volunteer Service Award winners gather for a group photo. From left are Vickie Yamaoka, John Moss, Hank Cooper, Richard Henning, Marian Cooper, Marie Backs (accepting for award winner Julie Rose, who was absent), Lou Becker, Mike Larkin and Ben Gikis. |
Nine Los Altos and Los Altos Hills volunteers received recognition Friday for their “behind-the-scenes” efforts in areas ranging from the PTA to the local Rotary Club, during the 23rd annual Joint Community Volunteer Service Award luncheon at the Los Altos Youth Center.
Ken Graham, CEO of El Camino Hospital and keynote speaker, estimated some 4 million hours of volunteer service have been logged at the hospital. He saluted volunteers at the RotaCare clinic, a partnership between local Rotary clubs and the hospital that helps low-income, uninsured patients.
He also used a quote that spoke to the heart of why people should volunteer: “What do we work for if not to make life less difficult for each other?”
This year’s field, bringing the total to 243 recognized in the history of the event, included Ben Gikis, Mike Larkin, Lou Becker, Julie Rose, Richard Henning, Vickie Yamaoka, Marian and Hank Cooper, and John Moss.
Gikis, introduced by Patty Radlo, has helped the local Little League and served as a Scout leader during his long tenure of volunteering.
Los Altos Police Chief Bob Lacey introduced Larkin as the city’s equivalent of “The Wizard of Oz,” claiming Larkin was the “wizard” behind the camera, dutifully recording city council meetings. He has also volunteered with the Los Altos History Museum and the Citizen’s Core Council for emergency readiness.
Kathy Putman of the Los Altos Neighborhood Network lauded Becker, a former Los Altos City Council member, for his work with the homeowners’ group and his involvement in the annual city Fourth of July event and the Los Altos School District’s parcel tax campaign. She referred to Becker, who recently applied for a vacant seat on the council, as “the most respected person in Los Altos.”
Marlene Cowan and Kathy Lera, representing the Los Altos Rotary Club and the history museum, respectively, praised Rose, primarily known as president of the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce, for her little-known volunteer ventures with the museum, the United Way and the Child Advocacy Council.
Linda Chin and Steve Peck saluted Yamaoka for her longtime help in the front office at Santa Rita Elementary School. She acts as a “calming presence” amid the student and faculty hustle-bustle, they said.
Rotary President Sam Pesner recognized Henning, a Rotarian since 1968, for bringing “fun” into the club and originating such events as a student speech contest and youth leadership awards. Henning also was a co-founder of the highly regarded Rotary AIDS Project in 1989.
Roy Lave, executive director of the Los Altos Community Foundation, introduced the Coopers, who have volunteered as recreation therapists at the local VA hospital and have assisted at the Food Closet. Marian serves on the Los Altos Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission, and Hank is on the city’s environmental committee. Marian, Lave said, is the one who suggested the foundation preserve Neutra House.
Cindy Luedtke and event emcee Roger Burnell recognized Moss, a former Los Altos council member, for his long string of volunteer work, ranging from the PTA to the Los Altos Educational Foundation, the Los Altos School District board and the Rotary Club. Describing his “infectious” positive attitude, Burnell said Moss “believes he can do good - and he does.”
The annual event is put on by a volunteer committee that receives nominations from the Los Altos and Los Altos Hills communities.
