Sonoma Valley Fund honors 23 area volunteers

The annual Star Award event at Cornerstone on Oct. 1|

More than 200 guests are expected to gather at Cornerstone on Sunday, Oct. 2, to celebrate Sonoma Valley's most dedicated volunteers. The event, organized and sponsored by the Sonoma Valley Fund, an affiliate of the Community Foundation Sonoma County, is held annually to honor exceptional volunteer service in the Valley.

'We hold this event to honor the many and varied contributions made by Sonoma Valley residents who give their time, talent and treasure to one or more of our local nonprofits,' said Joshua Rymer, Sonoma Valley Fund president.

The Fund partners with 20 local nonprofits, who select their 'star' each year.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley: Windee Smith

Board member and teen programs committee chair Smith has served on the BGC board since 2013. She is passionate about providing first class resources for local teens to access college and career path support and her work helped to ensure the Clubs' teen community a safe place they can call their own.

Friends in Sonoma Helping: Jerri Sheehan

Sheehan ​has worked hard to bring dialysis ​to Sonoma Valley​ and helped FISH win a grant ​for taxi vouchers for medical appointments when FISH does not have an available driver. ​She has vision, ​​a dedication to solutions and a passion to help others.

Hanna Boys Center: Tony Ghisla

Ghisla has served on Hanna's agriculture advisory committee since its inception and advised the schools' ag leadership team on becoming an official FFA chapter. Ghisla helped secure funds earmarked for ag and vocational programs.

La Luz Center: Jorge Antonio Guillermo Aquino

Guillermo Aquino demonstrates high levels of professionalism, customer service and camaraderie with fellow clients and staff and embodies all the characteristics of an ideal office volunteer.

Pets Lifeline: Judy Black and Dale Miller

Black and Miller are dedicated and committed volunteers who have helped Pets Lifeline with its cat care programs for many years.

Quarryhill Botanical Garden: Philip and Julia Wilkinson and Ina Welker

The Wilkinsons and Welker have been dedicated and reliable volunteers, leading docent tours for both adults and children, assisting with events, and taking an active role in the training of new volunteers.

Seeds of Learning: Mike Turgeon

Turgeon has been one of SOL's most dedicated volunteers and donors for more than 20 years, participating in four work groups to Central America and serving three terms on the board.

Sonoma Community Center: Hank Martinson

For the past two years, Hank Martinson has been instrumental in helping develop SCC's branding, marketing and creation of new events, including SCC's new garage sale.

Sonoma Ecology Center: David Morell

Morell helped to create key programs at EPA as it was established, and was a national and state leader helping reduce air and hazardous waste pollution. In his volunteer role as SEC, his work on biochar – an innovative technology that can help save water, improve soil health, and reduce greenhouse gases, has helped catapult our county to an international focus.

Sonoma League for Historic Preservation: Zanne Clark

Clark's untiring dedication to the League has been evidenced in her spearheading of an impressive fundraising campaign, her negotiations on the League's behalf and her involvement in the projects to save and restore the Maysonnave Cottage.

Sonoma Valley Community Health Center: Marc Schwager

No matter what was asked of Schwager (including being co-chair of a facility capital campaign), he always said yes. He served on the SVCHC board for more than four years, and his calming, patient demeanor, razor sharp intellect and ability to see the big picture makes him the ideal go-to person

Sonoma Valley Education Foundation: Carol Morphy and Patsy Wallace

Morphy and Wallace, individually and together, have helped to help establish, expand and sustain the single largest fundraising event for public education in Sonoma County – the Red & White Ball.

Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation: Rose Mary Schmidt

Volunteer and philanthropist Schmidt has been dedicated to the hospital for many years, and her love for the hospital shows in all she does.

Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance: Nancy King and Roland Gangloff

King underscores the importance of education and sweetly and patiently pushes her mentee to do her best, as giving up is not an option. She searches out activities, tutors and teachers that support Rosy in discovering her abilities and strengths.

Gangloff has expanded his mentee's world and helped him see that college is definitely in his future. The two have built an amazing mentoring relationship based upon respect, mutual interest, adventurous educational trips and outings.

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art: Kymm Falls

Falls is known for her enthusiasm, dedication and passionate commitment to the Museum, whether she's working an event, assisting children with art projects, greeting visitors, or promoting SVMA in the community.

Sweetwater Spectrum: Jan Erickson

Erickson has served on committees and on the board of directors at Sweetwater, while also mentoring eight girls at SVHS, and being an active member of Impact 100 and the Sonoma International Film Festival.

Teen Services Sonoma: Jenah Smith

Through her position at Sonoma Raceway, Smith has pulled together supplies, equipment and volunteers on Teen Services' behalf. She has also personally and skillfully managed the logistics of its Cowboy Cab annual fundraiser for four years.

Vintage House: Phyllis Carter

Carter has served on the board, the advisory board and been a volunteer entertainer at Vintage House. She has also been a LIMO driver since the program's inception.

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