San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity celebrated its growing core of dedicated volunteers at a Volunteer Recognition Reception on Sunday, May 3rd on the beautiful grounds of the home of Essy and Connie Alamdari.  There were over 150 attendees, including Temple City Mayor Judy Wong and Assemblymember Anthony Portantino.  Perfect weather and amazing food donated by Ernie Cruz of Ernie Jr.’s Taco House in Eagle Rock and St. Bede’s Catholic Church in La Canada conveyed to the volunteers how much they are appreciated.

The following “Regulars,” those who have consistently worked construction on the Kenwood build site in Glendale, were honored:  Wally Anderson, Bill Boyd, Jim Davis, Virgil Graf, Wayne Kruse, Tom Lynn, Victor Sumann, Bill Weber, Bill Wofford, and Chuck Wolski..  Each was also honored with a gift certificate at local restaurants.  Gift certificates were donated by Black Cow Cafe, Carmine’s, Dish, Il Fornaio, Minx, P.F.Chang’s, Panda Inn, Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, and Spitfire Saloon Restaurant all located in the San Gabriel Valley. Singers from the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and the California-Pacific United Methodist Foundation, led by Jesse L. Martin, serenaded the Regulars with their beautiful rendition of “Bless This House.”

Also honored were 22 individuals who have procured gifts-in-kind and pro-bono services for Habitat and have donated countless hours of work on construction sites and behind-the-scenes. Recipients of the Loyal Order of the Bent Nail awards were Jesus Diaz, Jim Lamdagan, Al Silliman, and Bill Sjogren.  Recipients of the Loyal Order of Helping Hands awards were Essy & Connie Alamdari, Jan Berentsen, Joan Bouchard, Susan Clarke, Don Goodman, Tony Haynes, Sr., John Ingle, Jamie Keyser, Linda Magarian, Karen Norton, Monique Poon, and Howard Woo.  Recipients of Golden Heart awards for years of faithful service and stewardship were Roger & Elizabeth Booth, Ruth Brager, Tom Doud, George Garfield, Cindy Heydt, and Janelle Williams.  Vince Quinones was honored with the Ace Cain Humanitarian Award for exemplifying the spirit of the organization’s esteemed founder by securing nearly $100,000 in pro bono gifts and services for SGV Habitat for Humanity.

The nameplates on the awards were donated by David Lazier of Nelson Nameplates, and the wooden plaques were hand-crafted by SGV Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore manager, Bill Anderson.

SGV Habitat for Humanity depends on and thrives because of individuals, businesses and churches who donate time, money and gifts-in-kind of materials or pro bono services.