Department of Child, Family and Adult Services > Enhancing Our Quality of Life
Enhancing Our Quality of Life
Board of Supervisors to Honor Local Heroes of Human Services
Sherri Z. Heller
10/6/2014 10:00 PM
News Release Details
Sacramento, CA - The Eighth Annual Heroes of Human Service Awards Recognition event will take place tomorrow, October 07, 2014 during the County's Board hearing. The awards ceremony, presented by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and the County's Human Services Coordinating Council, will honor residents of Sacramento County who have touched the lives of others through their advocacy, dedication, service and support.
When: 09:30 a.m. – Tuesday, October 07, 2014 – Reception to follow
Where: County of Sacramento Administrative Building
1st Floor, Board Chambers
700 H Street
Great photo opportunity!
Honorees and Honorable Mentions available after ceremony for interviews – THEIR STORIES ARE FASCINATING AND INSPIRING
During the ceremony, each Supervisor will present resolutions to honorees from their district. A total of 17 honorees will be recognized from the five supervisorial districts.
The Honorees:
Carolyn Brodt
Elizabeth Contreras
Kenneth Budman
Robert "Bob" Clouse
Robin Purdy
Terrence Jones, DDS
Claudia De Young, MD
Chris Faria
Neil Forester
Isabel Reynoso
ACC Pocket Pickers
Matthew Paul Johnson
Diane Shepherd
Colleen Wine
Tiffany Paige
Gloria Stemler
Strong As Steele
The work of these heroes can be exemplified through the stories of Honorees like Matthew Johnson, an 11-year-old 7th grader at Andrew Carnegie Middle School, who, at the age of 8 years old, began collecting socks and giving them to the homeless in Sacramento County, and in 2012 started "Socks from the Heart for the Homeless." In 2013, Matthew set a goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of socks to give away. He fell short, ending up with 6,000 pairs; but there were also donations of gloves, clothing, and hats. As of August 2014, over 15,000 socks and undergarments have been donated! When asked how he provides inspiration to others, Matthew said, "It's by my community service and because I'm so young. I'm just like a regular kid in the world making a difference."
Another Honoree, Gloria Stemler, has been a lifetime supporter and advocate for the Galt community. In 1985, Gloria saw a need and partnered with Galt's Serve Ours Seniors program to establish home-delivered meal service for her mother-in-law and other needy seniors. Gloria recruited 30 volunteers through the Galt Ministerial Association and was responsible for scheduling delivery drivers, completing client eligibility assessments, and turning Galt into a model for home-delivered meals in the greater Sacramento region. For nearly 30 years, Gloria continues to foster and support Galt's home-delivered meal service as a volunteer delivery driver, presently with Meals on Wheels by the Asian Community Center, to maintain this critical lifeline for seniors.
Gloria envisioned the need for and established a safe-haven for women to escape their troubles by meeting new friends, sharing commonalities, and learning basic life skills. In 2004, her passions ignited the L'Chayim program which provides classes for cooking, sewing, food preservation, and other life skills. Gloria still heads food sales and other fundraisers to continue funding these significant programs for women and families.
Through a lifetime of personal commitment and advocacy for the community of Galt, Gloria has turned her visions into reality and has become the pioneer of social services and a hero for people of all ages in her community.
What great examples 11-year-old Matthew Johnson and lifelong volunteer Gloria Stemler set for others. Hopefully stories like these will inspire others of all ages to volunteer and make a difference in the community. The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and the Human Services Coordinating Council are proud to honor these Heroes of Human Service.