Komen Orange County Recognizes Standout Volunteers At 2015 Appreciation Event

COSTA MESA, Calif. - Feb. 25, 2015 - PRLog -- COSTA MESA, Calif., Feb. 25, 2015 –Susan G. Komen Orange County (http://www.komenoc.org/) honored eight exceptional volunteers at its 2015 Volunteer Recognition Event on Feb. 21. Outstanding individuals and business partners throughout Orange County joined the award-winning nonprofit at Las Lomas Community Park to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism that makes Komen Orange County so effective. Volunteers were recognized in unique categories for their involvement.

With the help of volunteers last year, the Orange County Affiliate had the ability to support newly diagnosed women, host no-cost mobile mammography events for uninsured women, provide breast health information in multiple languages and hold annual fundraisers including the Race for the Cure (http://www.komenoc.org/race) and Pink Tie Ball (http://www.komenoc.org/site/c.dkIXJcNNKlLaG/b.8995569/k.70FC/2015_Pink_Tie_Ball.htm). Dedicated volunteers also assisted with administrative support, research, advocacy and the Speakers Bureau.

“This organization would not be able to reach so many women with breast health information and services without the support of motivated volunteers,” said Lisa Wolter, executive director of Komen Orange County. “I am so grateful for the generous individuals who donate their time to help others who are struggling with breast cancer without expecting anything in return – other than the opportunity to help make a difference.”

Awards were presented to the following:

·         Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award: Gigi Woodall, Newport Beach

Woodall began volunteering with Komen Orange County in 2014. She assisted with general Race for the Cure duties and projects.  In addition to volunteering her time at the office, she established a “Pink Ribbon” club at her school to raise awareness of breast cancer and support students with family members going through treatment.

·         Outstanding New Volunteer Award: Angelique Fong, Rancho Santa Margarita

Fong joined Komen Orange County by assisting with outreach to the Spanish-speaking community. She is a member of the Speakers Bureau and helps in the office weekly. A young breast cancer survivor intent on empowering other women, she is a Pink Tie Ball committee member soliciting support for the 2015 event.

·         Heavy Lifter Award: Marc Butman, Fineline Woodworks, Costa Mesa

Butman and his wife, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, formed Team Inspiration, raising more than $10,000. Team Inspiration loaded more than 16,000 t-shirts at the Komen office and unloaded them at the event location.

·         Partner for the Cure Award: Teresa Blanco, Northgate Gonzalez Markets, Santa Ana

Blanco champions breast health outreach and mobile mammography screenings taking place at Northgate Gonzalez Markets. In 2014, Blanco spearheaded Northgate Market’s tortilla brand sales, raising more than $14,000 for Komen Orange County’s Spanish language initiative. Blanco also captained Northgate’s Race for the Cure team that raised nearly $11,000.

·         Promise of One Awards:

Sol Reyes-Roberts, Laguna Beach

Reyes-Roberts, a retired nurse and breast cancer survivor, serves on the Komen Orange County board of directors as the mission committee Chair. She helped establish the Unidos Contra el Cancer de Seno Coalition and is its current Chair. In addition, she captained Latinas Race for the Cure, which raised more than $7,000.

Tina Correa, Irvine

Since 2012, Correa has become involved with Unidos Contra el Cancer de Seno Coalition – which led her to form the Spanish-speaking support group, Cafecitos in 2014. She also joined the African American initiative advisory group and is dedicated to connecting with ethnic women in the community.

·         Komen Warrior Award: Sylvia  Contreras, Whittier

Contreras, the Zeta Tau Alpha and Friends team captain since 2007, has attended Race for the Cure since 2003. She is Komen Orange County’s liaison with the National Sponsor of the Survivors’ Recognition Program - Zeta Tau Alpha, and has served as a volunteer helping with the Pink Tie Ball since its inception.

·         Volunteer of the Year Award: Annette Kennedy, Irvine

Kennedy, a 17-year volunteer with Komen Orange County was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. Last year, she assisted with the recruitment and training of more than 100 Pink Tie Ball volunteers and coordinated National Charity League volunteers for Race tasks. She also joined the Race leadership committee and worked as the liaison for the Komen Race for the Cure One Mile Family Fun Walk sponsored by Knott’s Berry Farm.

About Susan G. Komen®
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Suzy, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer. Today, Susan G. Komen® works to end breast cancer in the U.S. and throughout the world by investing more than $750 million in breast cancer research and $1.5 billion in community outreach programs over the past 30 years; providing funding to help low-income and uninsured women get screened and get treatment; advocating for cancer research and outreach programs; and working globally in more than 30 countries. Visit komen.org. Connect on Facebook (http://www.komen.org/facebook) and Twitter (http://www.komen.org/twitter).

For more information on Susan G. Komen Orange County, please visit www.komenoc.org or call 714-957-9157.