A night of dancing, dining and recognition

AVIVA GOELMAN

I have previously mentioned Albert Dixon, a beloved senior and

spirited volunteer, who left a generous bequest to the Senior Center

in his will. Most of the sum is invested, but a portion of his

endowment benefits the center’s regular activities.

This year, our volunteer recognition party was held in memory of

Dixon. The following is a letter sent by one of our board members,

Charlene M. Ashendorf, who attended this beautiful event.

“Neither paparazzi nor press came out that night. The room was

visibly absent of the O.C. high profile types or local personalities.

But it was a night filled with stars; 120 very important people to be

sure! There were no limousines or town cars lining the curb, but the

night’s guests arrived by Senior Center bus, cars or with friends.

They marched up the red carpet holding canes or walkers or rode in

wheelchairs. Friday, April 29th, the Costa Mesa Senior Center honored

the men and women who serve tirelessly without pay or notoriety. They

were the Retired Senior Volunteers.

“As Program Director Darryl Kim announced the 10 inductees to the

Costa Mesa Senior Center Volunteer Hall of Fame, the crowd cheered

with overwhelming support for service that totaled thousands of hours

of dedication from their peers. One of the highlights of the evening

occurred when Louise Kanold received the Albert Dixon Lifetime

Achievement Award. Surprised and overcome with disbelief, 84-year-old

Louise shared that earlier that day, she had volunteered at an

Alzheimer care unit by playing her ukulele to cheer up some “old”

folks!

“Ms. Kanold, who has tirelessly volunteered at the Costa Mesa

Senior Center since its inception 13 years ago, exemplifies the

Albert Dixon Lifetime Achievement Award. This special award is made

possible as a result of a large endowment left to the Center when

Albert Dixon passed away just a little more than three years ago. Mr.

Dixon’s larger than life legacy included his daily, dutiful, generous

volunteering for more than a decade! As Louise Kanold accepted this

prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, she graciously acknowledged

that she was standing in the light of many bright, shining stars!

“The Costa Mesa Senior Center boasts of a great number of

volunteer hours donated, more than 34,000, and certainly they are the

finest in the county! Volunteer roles include answering phones,

teaching classes, running the gift shop, working in the kitchen,

serving lunches and even picking up donated bread. Social services

and socialization are all just part of what makes this center

successful. With more than 1,800 members, this truly is the heart of

Costa Mesa.

“This year’s event was an event not to be missed. Complete with

linens, china, regal and rublite rose calla lilies; and baked salmon,

followed by a fresh fruit tart for dessert; the senior volunteers

were treated like royalty. While the Orange County couple Moon and

Ivy Rose Radisay danced the night away to the sounds of the Jumpin’

Joz, 99-year-old Genevera Gustasson sang along with the lead singer

as they belted out a Patsy Kline favorite, ‘Crazy.’

“According to the Independent Sector, a national leadership and

research forum, the 2004 estimate for the value of a volunteer hour

reached $17.55 per hour. Simply put, there is just no number that can

adequately capture the true value volunteers bring to the Costa Mesa

Senior Center. They are worth millions!”

Volunteers are the gems of any service organization. Their

contributions are a priceless legacy and we treasure them. For more

information about volunteering at the Costa Mesa Senior Center or

contributing an endowment to it or its programs, please contact Aviva

Goelman at (949) 645-2356.

*

Let freedom ring!

I just spent a glorious few days in Philadelphia, and what a

prelude to our Independence Day celebrations. My springtime visit was

filled with visits to historic places commemorating the birth of our

nation. I was thrilled to see the place where the signing of the

Declaration of Independence occurred.

Being a former Canadian, I was fascinated by the history, and I

spent a whole day in Constitution Hall and seeing the Liberty Bell.

These historic sites, still filled with echoes of our past, made me

aware that our holiday is not just to enjoy parades, picnics and

fireworks, but it is a day to honor our country’s fight for freedom.

At the center on July 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., we will be

enjoying Independence Day with the traditional hamburgers and hot

dogs, cooked by In-N-Out Burger, and entertainment.

The cost for members is $5, and nonmembers are $12. Reservations are a must. For further information, call (949) 645-2356.

* AVIVA GOELMAN is the executive director of the Costa Mesa Senior

Center and will write occasional columns about the center, its

members and senior issues.