Dear Editor:I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Downey YMCA, the Downey Coordinating Council, to the citizens of our community, and for all that has gone into the decision of my becoming the 2009 Downey YMCA's recipient of the honorable Community Service Award. Many deserving men and women have been chosen in years past and others will follow. Therefore, I am very grateful and deeply humbled to be included into their distinguished membership. The award would not be possible without the generosity of our Downey citizenship. Helping to raise needed funds for any noteworthy organization such as the Downey YMCA is difficult and time consuming at best. Yet, in all my phone calls to our Downey citizenship, I had very few persons become disrespectful or rude. Most understood the worthiness of the need and many could afford only a small amount. However, over the years, most of these same citizens continue to give and give more. They value the work of our Downey YMCA and know the monies stay here to benefit our children, our seniors and our community. Thank you, citizens of our beautiful Downey, California. I need to thank my mom and dad as well. They taught me early in life the value of Jesus' words in Matthew 7:12, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…" - Pat Vallefuoco, Downey

********** Published: June 5, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 7