Presented by Valley Churches United Missions
The 19th annual “Angels of the Year” awards dinner will take place Thursday, Dec. 5 at Scopazzi’s Restaurant.
Valley Churches United Missions honors individual volunteers, businesses, churches, service clubs, and schools who have given so much in labor and monetary contributions. Their contributions ensure that area residents, during their time of need, receive direct aid assistance in the form of emergency food, crisis rent, utility help, holiday projects food and gifts, educational assistance for children and disaster relief, before during and after.
Since 1982, Annette Marcum and our 98% volunteer staff have accomplished this work. Linda Lovelace, a volunteer since 1989 was hired in 2001 as Operations Director. Linda Meyer who volunteered every day for over a year was hired as Assistant Operations Director. We honor people tonight who have proven to be exemplary service volunteers and contributors.
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Our 2013 Angels of the Year Awardees
Individuals
For exemplary service awards working in our food pantry, food bag assembly, administration, delivery, computer work, food distribution, holiday projects, disaster center, building repair and maintenance.
Phil Cleveland – is a volunteer and donator since 2009. He cuts the wood and delivers to clients unable to pickup assigned by pantry client intake workers.
Grace Cunningham – is a food pantry volunteer. Grace make it her job to come in earlier than her shift helping fill food bags, stock, clean the refrigerator and shelves, clean the floors, bathroom and make coffee. “Grace look forward to coming to work with a Christian Heart.”
Richard and Teresa Determan – Richard is a board member. Richard and Teresa have inspired St. Michael’s Catholic Church to VCUM high on their list of charities to support. This year they were able to have VCUM receive funding from their Annual Golf Tournament as well as all our event food drives, etc.
Shirley Miller – Shirley is an example of what VCUM is all about. She and her family were assisted in the 1992 when one of her children wrote her Letter to Santa and we were able to reach out to her family. Remembering this she started to volunteer in the food pantry filling bags, stocking shelves, helping unload deliveries and with the clients carry outs.
After receiving the help that VCUM was able to give her daughter who wrote the Letter to Santa, that youngster went on with schooling. That child then seven had cancer tumors and now is employed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in Sacramento. She graduated with a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering.
Business of the Year
Ernie’s Auto Center: Ernie Devonshire, Mary Ann Castello – As a key location, Ernie’s has allowed VCUM to announce and advertise key events since 1987. Ernie’s Auto Center has been a contributor of items for raffles and events held as well as servicing our vehicles. Ernie was the first $1,000.00 contributor to help us replace teenage articles stolen during our 2005 break-in and robbery. He has inspired his employees to contribute to VCUM.
Church of the Year
Skyland Community – Skyland Community Church at the very end of VCUM’s service area has been an active contributor since December 2001. They have held fundraising events. Their Woman’s Group have been active participants and supported our projects year-round, deserving of the 2013 Angel of the Year Church.
Holiday Event Organizers
Moose Lodge 545 – The Moose Lodge were chosen our Organization Award Angel Award 2012. Since 1999 they have faithfully ran events to benefits VCUM. Their Woman’s Group leader Lauri Grundy has given countless hours gathering food, toys, raffle prizes and school supplies. They were major players through all the years in competition with other organizations. They have put on food drives at Safeway in Scotts Valley and, since 1999, they have raised $21, 360.00 at the Scotts Valley Light Cruise events. Their Christmas in July dinner and Holiday Prime Rib Dinner has raised $18,094.45.
Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce: Sharolynn Ullestad, past Executive Director – Sharolynn for the past seven years has been a strong supporter of VCUM’s many programs. She has through the Chamber News announced VCUM needs, including our food drives, Easter Project, Backpack Program, Thanksgiving and Christmas Projects. With the Chamber’s approval, the Chamber’s office has become the Scotts Valley resident and business drop off location for receiving donations of everything from food and gift items. Our signs for large events have been visible for Scotts Valley contributors and have coordinated with VCUM’s staff for donation pickups. We honor her work and admire her dedication to our community.
School/Youth of the Year
Tyler Bach – a 2012 Scotts Valley High School youth. Tyler wrote about his experience volunteering during the 2012 Holiday Distribution. He totally captured what VCUM is and whom they serve. Using just his closing statement:
“The small glimpses of the lives of people at Valley Churches reinforced my belief in the good nature of people. Started as a grassroots organization in response to a natural disaster, Valley Churches United Mission is an example of an example of an organization dedicated to service. The organization is not a crutch to those willing to help themselves, but is a safety net for those who have fallen on hard times and need help getting back on their feet.”
Tyler is currently studying economics at the University of Davis, California. While a student at Scotts Valley High School he volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank, Camp Harmon, Tyler maintained a 4.42 GPA for 4 years. He also received the President’s Award for Academic Achievement.
Organizations of the Year
Felton Business Association – This organization has been a long time supporter of VCUM. They strongly work with the Felton Fire Department and organized the Memorial Day Parades and chose our Director Annette Marcum as 1999 Parade Marshall. They organized the Memorial Day events inviting non-profits to participate and welcomed our Fishing Booth. Direct contributions by their board has generated since 2000 $6,275.00
Men’s Legacy Division – Since 2012 the Men’s Legacy Division has volunteered for VCUM’s events. They sponsored the Food Drive events at Safeway for Easter and the Holiday events doing their own setup and providing volunteers.
Project Purr – Under the direction of Co-Founder Lynne Achterberg, since 2008, has provided pet food, cat litter and pet supplies for the most venerable the animals belonging to low-income people. They rescue many animals. VCUM acts as a vehicle for Project Purr to sort, bag and channel pet food to our clients. Since 2008, their pet item donations have totaled $34,848.00.
Media of the Year
John Sandidge KPIG/KGSL Radio – Since the 1990’s John has been a strong supporter of announcing VCUM programs and has invited us to have live interviews at KPIG quarters in Watsonville giving us the free advertising via radio to present what VCUM is and does.
Memorial Recognitions
Dolores Crosson 1987 – 2011
Virgil Grimes 1988 – 2012
Saul Hoffman 1989 – 1995
Susan Mihalik 1986 – 1990
Chuck Oakley 1997 – 2010
Lisa Pierce 1987 – 2009
Diane Welton 1988 – 2003
Special Memorial Recognitions
Alvin Scarborough 2011, 2012, 2013
Susan Thieman 1987 – 2011
Jeanne Goret 1987 – 2013
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Submitted by Annette Marcum, Director & Founder & Linda Lovelace, Operations Director of Valley Churches United Mission