(Text and photos by Pete Porter with additional
photos marked * by Plinck Photo)
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| | (Text and photos by Pete Porter with additional
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Each year at about this time hundreds of famous people turn out for one of the premier events of the South Bay. Yes, I said hundreds and yes, I said famous. For indeed there are hundreds of volunteers involved with the South Bay RSVP organization and these are indeed all very famous to the many people they help in the fabulous community of Torrance and the South Bay area that surrounds it.
The event I am talking about is the Annual RSVP Volunteer Recognition Banquet. The lunch time banquet was held on the 9th of May at the Torrance Marriott Hotel and, as always, was a roaring success. As the volunteers gathered at the sign-in counter they were greeted by non other than Marilyn Monroe, Groucho Marx and the Duke himself, John Wayne - all remarkable well preserved and actively involved with the attendees.
 | Some of the many attendees as they line up to register with "The Duke" in the background. |
After we had all drifted into the large banquet hall and settled down at our table, Executive Director, Hope Witkowsky, opened the proceedings by welcoming everyone. Hope said that the Recognition Banquet was a way of giving thanks to those who are “there to meet the critical needs of the people in our society”. Hope stated that the inspiration for her is to see people volunteering well into their 90’s and added “you are living proof that staying active in our society not only helps people live longer and healthier but also serves the people you help”. Hope then mentioned the work that RSVP is doing to answer President Bush’s call to action in the area of Homeland Security by setting up the “Community Volunteer Alert Network” (or CVAN) with its main base of operations right in the Torrance RSVP office. Lastly, Hope congratulated each and every one of those present, stating “You are all my heroes”.
Hope’s welcome was followed by the Flag Salute given by Robert van Lingen (President, Board of Directors RSVP) and then by a message of Inspiration from Senior Pastor Dean Mayeda. Amy Daily also gave RSVP a vote of thanks from CNCS, (The Corporation for National Community Service).
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Lunch was then served to the gentle accompaniment of music provided by Johnny Gall and Brian Asher on piano and cello. As we ate, “celebrities" John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe and Groucho entertained us from the podium with Marilyn reprising her “Happy Birthday” from President Kennedy’s party of a few years back, in honor of the 30th Birthday of the National RSVP organization.
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| "The Duke" being interviewed for Torrance TV. | Groucho does his bit. | Marilyn reprises "Happy Birthday". |
 * | As we finished our main course, California State Assemblyman, George Nakano, and Torrance Mayor, Dan Walker gave congratulatory speeches to RSVP in general and the four awards honorees in particular. |  * |
Deborah Dzeguze - Literacy Volunteer.
Marylin Hart - Environmental Volunteer.
and Frank Wolf - Human Service Volunteer.
(Please click on their names to get personal volunteer bios).
| In addition to an Oscar statue, that anyone would be proud to display, each honoree was presented with plaques and certificates from representatives of Cogresswoman Jane Harman and Senator Debra Bowen, as well as in person by Assemblyman George Nakano, Supervisor Don Knabe and Mayor Dan Walker. |  * |
*Before the afternoons activities were brought to a close, an amazing collection of raffle prizes were given out to a number of lucky winners. Among the prizes were:
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The lucky winners.
Gift bags were also present for everyone at each dining table, with items from ExxonMobile, Union Bank, South Bay Bank, Home Instead Senior Care, Neutrogena, and Torrance CitiCable Senior Scene.
RSVP would also like to thank the other major sponsors of this event;
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