On a fair evening after a cloudy day, about 180 volunteers from over 20 Downey organizations gathered at the Woman’s Club to honor this year’s outstanding members of non-profit groups and service clubs.

The banquet, organized by the Downey Coordinating Council, has always been a meeting place for those who work hard to make life good and a little better here. Former Mayor Rick Rodriguez and Steve Roberson, who is leading the initiative to build a new Downey Family YMCA, were seen chatting. Ron Kolar sat with his pals from Kiwanis. Tom Hutchinson, who organized Boy Scout Troop 2 in presenting the colors, connected with Roy Beard. BSA Scouting honored Dan Fijan for his work with Eagle Scouts.

Ronnie Fernandez’s family came, wife Joanna, their daughters from Carpenter Elementary, and Ronnie’s mother. Ronnie was honored for his work with Gangs Out Of Downey, and he has taken over from Darrell Jackson as director of the 10-20 Club; Ronnie will focus on mental health.

Guests were entertained by guitarist Larry Sepulveda, music being one of the trademarks of Lois Buchannan, longtime (46 years) coordinator of the banquet. The evening was dedicated to Lois by the hosting Coordinating Council, for all the hard work and gracious touches she has instilled. The Woman’s Club provided an elegant background, with its many crystal chandeliers, and the deft services of King Catering provided the succulent chicken with a choice of entrancing sauces- mushroom with sherry, mango, teriyaki.

Outgoing president of the Coordinating Council Carol Kearns welcomed the guests, and noted that there was an almost 50% increase over last year’s attendance.  Social life in Downey is returning, after three years of COVID restrictions.  

With Carol’s organizing skills, the presentation of the 23 volunteers and the reading of citations for each were on schedule. U.S. Congressman Robert Garcia’s office gave certificates of appreciation for everyone on the organizing committee. Then first off was the Assistance League, who chose Cathy Ballon-Godinez for her work coordinating the Assisteens. The Catholic Women’s Guild of OLPH Church awarded Linda Maine for her 35 years of work with the homeless of downtown Los Angeles and her famous Tuna Sandwich Program.

Sal Cervantes was honored for his commitment to the Citizen’s Climate Lobby, a group that shares expert opinion with our elected officials, to help us toward a sustainable future. Sal also serves as Membership Chair for the Coordinating Committee, and represents the Downey Toastmasters Club. Sal presented the Toastmaster award to Monica Gross for her help with communication and leadership skills.

Rotary Club of Downey, founded in 1924, filled a table, with president Amelia Sanchez, Fire Chief Dan Hurlock, Stonewood Mall manager Enrique Martinez and TLC’s Luz Perez, to honor Greg Welch. Wife Barbara Risher Welch led the applause for Greg for exemplifying Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self. President Mel was so enthusiastic about Greg that she went off script, describing all Greg has done in more than the 200 words allotted on the printed program.

Downey City Librarian Claudia Daley came forward to read the citation for Daisy Ongay, a junior at Bell High School. Daisy volunteers for the Children’s Program and has designed some amazing crafts. Then long-time volunteer at the library Elsa Frazier introduced Virginia Yoshiyama, president of Friend of the Downey Library. The Friends operate the Gently Used Book Store in the library’s lobby and raise money for community programs.

Another young volunteer, Doty Middle Schooler Alexis Givens, was introduced by Downey Patriot editor Eric Pierce for her enthusiastic support. During summer vacation Alexis even helps deliver the newspaper. Eric himself was singled out by the Downey Symphonic Society for his work as vice-president, chairing the Marketing Committee, assisting the treasurer with finances, and the president with grant applications. Eric has always given the DSS ongoing coverage in the Patriot.

By now the pattern was emerging: volunteers in any one group cross over, and so many work together in a web of helpfulness to improve the quality of life in Downey. And they all have fun doing it.

Alistair Hunter president of the Downey Arts Coalition (DAC) said, “I am delighted to present the Downey Arts Coalition Volunteer of the Year 2023 to Pat Gil.” Busy Pat coordinates the art exhibits in the Downey Theatre at each performance of the Downey Symphony. 

“And a shout-out,” said Alistair, “to Carol Kearns, President, Downey Coordinating Council and DAC founding member, who orchestrated this DCC celebration. And to all of the DCC volunteers of the year. A tremendous contribution to the fabric of the City of Downey.

“And kudos to Mayor Claudia M. Frometa, City of Downey,” Alistair added, “U.S. Representative Garcia, Blanca Pacheco, Bob Archuleta, Janice Hahn, who all prepared certificates to the volunteers of the year.”  

Sheila Tetangeo-Bartolone was introduced by executive director of the Chamber of Commerce Michael Calvert for her work with the Chambers’ Ambassadors, and the annual Christmas Parade. Michael is the incoming president of the Coordinating Council, showing again how interwoven the volunteer network is.

A group deeply involved with caring for the needy in Downey, PTA Helps honored Martha Sodetani.  

“Martha is our rock here and in the community,” the citation read. Martha, a former president of GOOD, was introduced by Ronnie Fernandez. If names are appearing multiple times, that makes another point about volunteering: it’s contagious.

The DCC banquet evening brings a welcome spotlight to some of the less well known volunteer groups who assist in Downey. The Exchange Club has added Family Support Center to its name, and honored Mike Iacovitti for his over 15 years of support, fundraising, donating, assisting with projects. FoodHelp thanked Teresa Avila. FoodHelp is the project of the First Christian Church of Downey, and Teresa can be found sorting vegetables and distributing groceries to needy families on Saturdays.  

Downey Conservancy preserves Downey’s beautiful and historically significant neighborhoods.  Annie Rojes helps organize home tours and special events, and credits the late Harold Tseklenis for opening her eyes to the volunteer opportunities Downey has to offer.

One of Downey’s pride and joys is the Rose Float Organization, and Danielle Storey has been with them for 20 years, selling tickets for the Parade of Winners and as floral chairperson. The Downey Historical Society and Museum has documented all these New Year’s Day parades, and can answer questions about just about anything Downey that you can imagine, even the   one I asked about the day in 1987 when a freight train derailed and several huge stock cars toppled over and lay for days beside the track. Honored volunteer Roger Miller is making a video of Downey history as a resource for students.

Two more long-standing service clubs, the Downey Los Amigos Kiwanis and Soroptimist International Downey, presented members to honor.  Claude Bilodeau feels that being part of Kiwanis is the best way to give back to the community.  His work on the annual Kiwanis Car Show has raised nearly $100,000 to help build the next Downey Family YMCA campus, another strong base for volunteers.  Downey groups work together.

Blanca Rochin in her 14 years with Soroptimist has helped raise thousands of dollars that Soroptimist gives to high school and Downey Adult School students, to help women and children. At Christmas, Blanca is the liason with the Exchange Club’s Adopting Families program, and Santa’s visit to special needs kids at Alameda School. 

The Woman’s Club, whose handsome building provided for the setting for the evening, is without question the oldest service club in Downey. Founded in 1898 to "promote the social, moral, and intellectual interest of the community and to establish a public library," they did just that. Carl Olson was named Volunteer of the Year for publishing the newsletter, doing odd jobs, being club photographer, providing background music for meetings, and security for Bingo.

We all enjoyed the hospitality the Woman’s Club provided, on an evening when the web of volunteerism was interlaced even stronger and new names were added to the history of Downey.