Volunteers are the stars at awards banquet

Gabriel Enamorado was honored as the Downey Conservancy’s volunteer of the year at last week’s Downey Coordinating Council banquet. He is pictured with historical preservationist Kathy Perez.

DOWNEY - It was a gusty day, when the wind blew flower pots over and tore down decorations, but the Downey Coordinating Council regulars braved the weather to meet for their Volunteer Recognition Banquet. Always a major social occasion in Downey, the traditional dinner was resumed for the first time after two Covid-clouded years.

“We have 119 people here tonight,” said Lois Buchannan, coordinator of the evening. Holding the meeting was a triumph in itself, and the Woman’s Club of Downey was the gracious host. The building on Paramount and Lubec seemed just the right size for friends to greet each other.

As DCC President Carol Kearns said, “So many people here tonight know each other, because in Downey we all cooperate in making each other a success. This group represents the people who make Downey a caring, sharing place to work and live.”

Contrary to expectations, the Coordinating Council’s purpose is not to produce a calendar of events for the year. Its 39 member groups made up only a part of the many organizations, large and small, that give Downey its flavor and variety. And with Covid narrowing their ranks, almost half of those who normally participate could not attend tonight’s celebration.

Tables for eight were set with violet and iris-lavender napery on gracious cream-colored tablecloths. Larry Sepulveda’s guitar could be heard and enjoyed but was not so loud as to overwhelm conversation. Having music to accompany the evening, a touch, is a trademark of Lois Buchannan, who coordinated the evening for the Coordinating Council as she has for many years.

The buffet featured a delicious boned and skinless chicken served with three enticing sauces, strawberry cheesecake with generous dollops of strawberry coulis was served to each guest at the tables, as a dessert treat. King Catering brings its own professional wait staff, all women, and they served the salad, skillfully refilled glasses, cleared the places, and kept the evening flowing.

The Women’s Club’s own volunteer nominee was Anna Orozco, who makes sure the weekly bingo fundraisers at the club happen, to raise money for Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, and college scholarships for Downey students.

Service groups like the Assistance League, that honored Rachel Gluck for her special care with gift shop jewelry, mingled with arts groups like the Downey Arts Coalition, who recognized tireless past president Alistair Hunter, and the Downey Symphonic Society’s Lorine Parks who contributes feature stories about the DSS’s Music in the Schools Program for the Downey Patriot. The Downey Conservancy preserves and highlights classic period architecture in Downey, with special thanks to artistic promoter Gabriel Enamorado.

The Friends of the Downey Library, that runs an admirable gently-used book gift shop, nominated Karen Voight for producing the newsletter, the restaurant fundraiser flyer and event invitations.

Small new organizations like Citizens Climate Lobby, that works to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, nominated Anita Rivero, who advocates writing letters to local newspapers, including the Downey Patriot, to raise consciousness of problems. Big groups like the Rose Float Association, “that iconic symbol of Downey’s pride,” that has had an entry for many consecutive years, honored Jonathan Browning for his work with framing and plumbing the bathrooms for the float building, and donating material for special effects for Downey’s spectacular float on New Year’s Day.

The Exchange Club has been serving the Downey community for years, and it now runs a Family Support center. Volunteer, Wanda Iacovitti, sees that the fundraisers are well publicized and attended. Keep Downey Beautiful does just that by organizing litter cleanups throughout the city, and honored Daniel Frase for seeing that the job is done thoroughly. Daniel has been volunteering since 2005 when he was a student at Downey High.

Each organization sent two representatives to the microphone, one the honoree as volunteer of the year, the other the presenter who read the citation. A few honorees could not be present. Dorothy Pemberton who gives so much time and energy to the community at the food distribution center for PTA Helps, was on an Alaskan cruise, and Rich Strayer, that tireless recruiter of new members for the Rotary Club, was out of town on family business. Rich’s work in Guatemala for international literacy is an embodiment of the club’s motto, service above self.

All of the awardees shook hands with President Carol, former Mayor Claudia Fromenta and newly appointed Councilmember Donald La Plante. Each volunteer received a packet of colorful certificates and citations, tied with gold cord, six in all, with gold seals and red and blue ribbons.

There was a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from U.S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard; recognitions from State Senator Bob Archuleta and one from State Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia; a commendation from County Supervisor Janice Hahn; a Certificate of Appreciation signed by all five Downey City Council members; and a Certificate of Community Service from the DCC signed by Carol Kearns.

What was impressive was that each proclamation mentioned the individual’s organization by name. And everyone’s name was spelled right, on each one. The kind of attention to detail again came thanks to Lois Buchannan.

The parchments give the volunteers a lasting reminder of a special evening.

Downey Historical Society thanked Aron Ramirez, a Downey High grad doing his Ph D work at Yale, for writing a seven-part research series on Downey’s history for the Patriot. Creative Purpose, a spinoff from the Downey Christian Business and Professional Luncheon Group, nominated Bill Wallace, for his inspiring dedication.

Soroptimist International, Downey Chapter, that group of business and professional women who constantly work for a better life for women and children around the world, nominated Rebecca Reyes whose special cares have been the Soroptimist Village, and scholarships.

The FoodHelp outreach program thanked Teri Perno for giving every Saturday to serve the community and aid the FoodHelp leadership team.

Toastmasters Club gives confidence in public speaking, and Fabiol Barcena has helped organize online meetings during COVID.

As Councilwoman Claudia said in her closing remarks, “I am proud to serve the City of Downey.” The Coordinating Council is proud of these volunteers who have made their contributions too.