THE 28TH RSVP ANNUAL VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION BANQUET
THE 28TH RSVP ANNUAL VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION BANQUET
If you weren’t able to attend the Oscar presentation ceremony this year, the RSVP Recognition Banquet at the Torrance Marriott on May 17th was a worthy substitute. As well as attending the festivities, several hundred RSVP volunteers and their guests were treated to a fabulous meal and got to mingle with some entertainment icons from the past. It’s difficult to determine whether Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe or Elvis were more popular at having their photo taken with those in attendance, but one would assume that the numbers were fairly evenly split
(although I am sure that Marilyn captured the lion’s share of the male population,
- even with a certain amount of competition from Hope).
Our Executive Director, Hope Witkowsky, started off the proceedings by welcoming everyone and stating that members of South Bay RSVP volunteer at over 70 different nonprofit agencies in the local area. Hope noted that, out of the more than 600 volunteers signed up with the organization, four are chosen each year to be representative of the whole. Hope's introduction continued, "As all our members do such a wonderful job, it is very difficult for the committee to select just four. However, their stories are sure to inspire the rest of our members on the important work that ALL our volunteers do".
Hope’s welcome statement was followed by the Flag Salute, led by Lt. Joe Leonardi of the Redondo Beach Police, and a message of Inspiration read by Sr. Pastor Dean Mayeda of Hope Chapel Gateway. Amy Daily, from the Corporation of National Service, thanked all the volunteers for their contributions. Recognition was then given to those RSVP Board of Directors who were in attendance and lunch was served to the accompaniment of music supplied by Johnny Gall and Brian Asher.
 |  |
| RSVP Board Members Toni Bock, Dr. Janice Schultz, Judy Gibson, Robert Van Lingen, Jean Adelsman. | Board Members Kathryn Joiner, Aurelia Freeman and Ann Laiety (Director of Volunteers at Torrance Memorial Hospital) |  |
At the interval between the main course and the desert, Hope initiated the presentations to the four nominees. Each time, Hope gave a synopsis of the nominee’s contribution and announced with a flourish, "And the Winner Is "! Just like the Oscars!
This years honorees were:
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Carol Jean Johnson - Health & Nutrition Peter Porter - Human Service Bert Bruning - Safety |
(Please click on the above names to read their individual stories).
In addition to receiving their "Oscar", each honoree also received presentation awards from Congresswoman Jane Harman, Senator Debra Bowen, Assemblyman George Nakano, Supervisor Don Knabe, and Mayor Dan Walker - quite a haul!
 Congresswoman Jane Harman |  |  Assemblyman George Nakano |
| RSVP South Bay Director Hope Witkowsky, RSVP Treasurer Robert Van Lingen, Kelly Calkin (for Conrgresswoman Jane Harman), Supervisor Don Knabe, Senator Debra Bowen, Mayor Dan Walker, David Ford (for Assemblyman George Nakano) Seated: Bert Bruning, Pete Porter, Carol Jean Johnson, Darrell Gray | ||
| (Congresswoman Harman and Assemblyman Nakano regretfully had to leave the Banquet before the Ceremony) | ||
Talking of "Quite a Haul", the raffle that was held took in a total of $1,000 and prizes included Office Chairs donated by Virco; Dodger Tickets from Mark Hebson; Tickets to "Evita" from the Civic Light Opera; a $50 Meal Certificate from Borelli’s; a Complete Car Detail from Ron’s Auto Body; a Tea Pot and Tea from Herb Stark; a Grandfather Clock from Ev Durfee; and, last but not least; an Electric Scooter from John Schoen. "Feel Good" Baskets were supplied by the Torrance Memorial Medical Center and Dodger "Fan" Baskets were supplied by Dr. Janice Schultz. Each person in attendance also received special Latté Cups from Gerber Ambulance Service, each containing Sewing Kits and Pens from Blue Shield; Stress Balls from Health Net and a Tea bag from Sunrider.
Each volunteer was also able to have their photo taken with one of the "film celebrities", compliments of Virco.
This wonderful banquet was made possible by a host of major sponsors that included The Corporation of National Service; Gerber Ambulance Service; Pacific Bell; BP Carson Refinery; Anastasi Construction Co.; ExxonMobil; Satchi & Satchi and; Pioneer Theatres Inc.
All told, it was a terrific event and we should all be proud of the wonderful effort put in by our Director, Hope Witkowsky, the RSVP Board of Directors and the many other members of the RSVP Staff and Volunteers who added their valuable contributions in making this such a special day.
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