Downey's most outstanding volunteers honored

From left: Councilmember Blanca Pacheco, school board member Martha Sodetani, Gangs Out of Downey president Julie Garcia, and Mayor Pro Tem Rick Rodriguez. Photo by Claudia Gomez

DOWNEY – Downey Coordinating Council honored 26 people at its 64th annual Volunteer Service Awards banquet May 17 at the Rio Hondo Event Center. 

The coordinating council also installed its new officers for 2018-19, including Bobbi Bruce, president; Joanna Peterson, first vice president; Carol Kearns, second vice president; Jackie Sweida, secretary; Beth Gendreau, treasurer; and Donna Lindley, auditor. Lois Buchanan was the banquet chair. 

Organizations and their honorees for Volunteer of the Year are: 

Rod Ratzlaff - The Arc - Los Angeles & Orange Counties
Vivian Armijo - American Business Women’s Association - El Dorado Chapter
Lois Buchanan - Assistance League of Downey
Victor Pearce - Christian Business Committee
Frank Dean - Courage Forward
David Devis - Downey Arts Coalition
Laurie Tyler - Downey Chamber of Commerce
Giselle Garcia - Downey City Library
Bobbi Bruce - Downey Coordinating Council
Carol Lemucchi - Downey Federal Credit Union
Bob Thompson - Downey Historical Society
Susan Robison - Downey Kiwanis Club
Julie Fercho - Downey Lions Club
Harold Tseklenis - Downey Symphonic Society
Ellis White - TLC Family Resource Center
Ray Hamada - FoodFinders
David Cruz -- FoodHelp
Carol Woods - Friends of the Downey City Library
Julie Garcia - Gangs Out of Downey
Joan and Chuck Frey - Keep Downey Beautiful
Armida Lugo - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
Oscar Flores - PTA Helps
Tiffany Ngo - SCRS-IL
Nina Smart - Soroptimist International of Downey
Marco Barcena - Toastmasters Club No. 587
Cheryll Olson - Woman’s Club of Downey