Service Without Borders Award – John and Kathy Searles

John and Kathy Serles say they are working hard at being retired.  Although they are part of the Martinez community they are technically not Martinez residents. But they can see Martinez from their Elderwood Street house, which is right across the street from the city limits. It’s for this reason that they qualify for the Service Without Borders Award from the .  They might live in Pleasant Hill, but both of the Serles have been involved in Martinez for many years.

Kathy Serles has deep roots in Martinez. She graduated from Alhambra High School and taught in the for 37 years. She’s been retired for 5-1/2 years and is a member of the Martinez Lionesses.

John is a former superintendent of Martinez schools and a member of the Martinez Rotary Club since 1973. For the past six or seven years, he has worked with the Interact Club, a Rotary-sponsored club at . It supports local causes with money earned from an annual e-waste collection. 

The couple volunteers at the Martinez Education Foundation and Christmas for Everyone, which is based in Concord but serves many in the Martinez, Pleasant Hill and Concord area.

They love being part of the Martinez community. John says: “It’s just kinda funky…it’s a self-contained, neat community, and a unique experience.” 

Kathy's take: “You can count on the people (of Martinez) to support their children, and to support the Bulldogs. We could be a closed group, we have lived here all or most of our lives, we know each other and have seen each other through divorces and babies and whatever. But, I think we are very open. All the service clubs and groups just open up their arms and make you honorary Martinens.”