4 Coastside Volunteers Chosen for Service Above Self

The Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay will confer the seventh annual Service Above Self Award to the Half Moon Bay and Coastside community’s top volunteer on June 2nd at the Magic of the Coastside community fundraising dinner event.

Four outstanding Coastside Community members have been selected as finalists for this year’s award.

For the last 6 years and working 6-7 days a week, Sister Jeanette Braun SND has led the way for Table of Plenty to become a valuable, “portable, renewable resource” serving the community of Half Moon Bay. Under Sr. Jeanette’s leadership and hands-on management expertise, Table of Plenty has served supper to struggling families, elders, and homeless in our surrounding coastal community every Thursday evening for 52 weeks a year. Their objective is to “ honor the dignity of each person. In Sister Jeanette’s words, “Whether you cook the food, serve it, or greet our guests, our standard is high. We all strive to reflect LOVING ONE ANOTHER… “

For the last five years, Deputy Shawn Chase has been assigned to the coast as a School Resource Officer. His impact on the schools in the Unified Cabrillo School District, LaHonda/Pescadero Unified School District and several private schools along with the lives of the youth and their families has been more than significant. Shawn is never “off duty”. In addition to his regular work schedule, he volunteers an additional 10 - 15 hours of his own time. He has changed the lives of the youth by being someone they can count on, by showing them that someone truly cares about them.

Since starting on The HEAL Project (THP)’s board, Mary Oldham has been a leader in The Heal Project’s Development and Marketing and was on the team to design their new logo, and helped to clarify and update the organization’s Mission/Vision/Values. Mary works with many non-profits. On a Board of 4 people spearheading Coastside Gives through Mavericks Community Foundation, Mary is bringing nonprofits together in a way that is unprecedented and sees that vital funds are injected to over 30 local non-profits. Her ongoing impact results in hundreds of thousands of dollars of support to the community every year.

In 2006 when Jeff Perls joined the Board of Coastside Hope, it was a time of crisis for the Agency. Jeff helped direct cost cutting measures as well as develop a strategy to rename and reorient the Agency. Jeff led the development of Coastside Hope’s first strategic plan while also identifying potential grants and writing grant requests for the Agency (which he continues to do). The result has been financial stability and improved community recognition. Each year the Agency touches the lives of over 3000 people (about 10% of the population on the mid-coast).

Every month Jeff also helps unload pallets, pack bags and hand out food for Coastside Hope’s food distribution program that reaches hundreds of families and seniors on the mid-coast.

Members of nonprofit organizations who exemplify outstanding volunteer work to benefit the community are eligible for this honor. Past recipients include Mike Serdy, Coastside Adult Day Health Center volunteer, Ruth Rafello, American Association of American Women volunteer, Judy Macias, Village of the Coastside founder; Dr. Michael Klass, the volunteer Administrative Coordinator of the San Mateo County Coastside Medical Reserve Corps; Judy O’Leary, Director of Coastside Hope; Eric and Alice DeBode, Kelly Avenue Catholic Worker organization; and Sue Heckman, Coastside Adult Day Health Center.

The award will be presented and the four finalists honored at the Magic of the Coastside at the IDES Hall on June 2nd. This event is the Rotary Club Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year and will feature the Killer Dueling Pianos, shrimp boil dinner, and a silent auction. The major beneficiaries of this year’s event are Abundant Grace Coastside Worker for homeless programs, Coastside Childrens’ Programs for early math learning training, and Senior Coastsiders for Meals on Wheels. A fun and casual event at $75/ticket, money raised also supports other local and global causes. Tickets and more details are available at http://www.rotaryofhalfmoonbay.com/

The Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay is one of 34,000 clubs around the world. Rotary International’s signature cause is the eradication of polio, and the end is in sight with just three countries in the world with endemic cases. The Half Moon Bay Club meets each Thursday for lunch at the Portuguese Center at 724 Kelly Street in downtown Half Moon Bay.

Contact Mary Corcoran, Public Relations, at mcorcoranhmb@gmail.com or 650-218-0436.