A Salute to the Spirit of Volunteerism

On one hand, the Alexis de Tocqueville Society of Orange County celebrates the spirit of volunteerism in a democratic society. On the other, it’s a very exclusive group.

But seeming contradictions melted away last week at Casa Pacifica, the former Western White House in San Clemente and the current residence of Gavin Herbert, where the society met for dinner and the presentation of its first Humanitarian Award to Sister Marie Therese, director of the Lestonnac Free Clinic in Orange.

The point being, “exclusive” by no means implies blackballing or other such elitist nonsense, as is the case with several fund-raising organizations around the county. All it takes to be a member of the group is to be an individual of high net worth with a strong philanthropic sense in the area of human services: Its 17 founding members have donated $170,000 to United Way--or $10,000 each.

Walter Haas Jr., chairman of the executive committee of Levi Strauss and Co. of San Francisco, presented the award to Sister Marie Therese. (Haas’ family members became the first joint recipients of the national De Tocqueville society award this year; the first award went to Bob Hope in 1973.) He told a story that illustrated his firm commitment to volunteerism.

“After World War II, I was asked to solicit for the Community Chest,” Haas recalled. “I went out after work, I climbed stairs, I solicited on a door-to-door basis in a rather poor neighborhood.

“I was insulted. I had doors slammed in my face. But then people would go get nickels they couldn’t afford to give out from under their mattresses. Either way, it was a very disturbing experience.

“I went to my uncle, who was very active in Community Chest. I asked him why he kept doing those things. He told me, ‘Because the best and nicest people in the community are doing them. This is how you meet them.’ I’ve never forgotten that message.”

Members and prospective members at the dinner numbered 50; among the latter was Geoffrey Stack. Stack noted that the De Tocqueville society’s canvassing techniques are considerably more sophisticated than those of the Community Chest, but that Haas’ message remains the same.

“Did I get the videocassette?” he said. “Are you kidding? I’ve gotten everything, the pressure’s on, no question. I’m sure I’ve gotten the whole live demonstration. But it’s all part of an extremely worthwhile effort. A lot of people have made a lot of money in Orange County, yet so many of them have yet to understand that if you make a lot, you’ve got to put a lot back in.

“I’m not including those who are here tonight. Look around the room--there isn’t anybody here who hasn’t put a ton back into the county. The absolutely most successful people in Orange County are also those who consistently donate their time, money and talents to making things happen beside just making more money.”

Member Carl Karcher was probably speaking for everyone present when he said, “The late Bishop (Fulton J.) Sheen said it’s a lot more fun giving from the heart than it is by forced taxation. I think you can put that in capital letters.”

The Lestonnac Clinic is a full-service facility serving the “poorest of the poor.” More than 3,000 patients are treated annually, free of charge, by a volunteer staff of 50 doctors and 25 nurses. According to Sister Marie Therese, the clinic has just moved to new quarters; the new address is 1110 E. Chapman Ave., Suite No. 100, in Orange.

“It’s a very big place, and everything is running very nicely, thank God for that!” the sister said with a broad smile. “I can hardly tell you how God has provided. I can hardly believe what I see as I walk through the lovely rooms.

“Six years ago, we started out in two rooms, and the building’s salary was $200 a month, which I sometimes couldn’t pay. Today the county pays for the rent.

“Now we are going to open a dental clinic in January, we are going to start teaching nutrition and hygiene, religion, and arts and crafts, and we have two psychologists who are going to come give classes. They’re going to talk to the people--give them group therapy. We have room now!”

Sister Marie thanked the society members; the softer she spoke, the more attention she commanded.

United Way of Orange County President Merritt Johnson said he learned some of his most useful concepts from society members.

Also, he said, the late J. Robert Fluor, whose wife, Lillian, and son, Bob Jr., attended the dinner, taught him the importance of keeping supporters informed: “ ‘People are down on what they ain’t up on,’ he’d say.

“Carl Karcher taught me there’s no word like ‘can’t’--or ‘can.’

“Walter Gerken taught me to be patient, especially in my relationships with him,” Johnson said with a chuckle. “You know,” he added, “there hasn’t been a time when I’ve met with Walter that he has not asked me about my family or about my children, and about me.”

Gerken, first chairman of the society and chairman of United Way of Los Angeles, set Johnson straight on that matter.

“Thank you, Merritt,” Gerken said. “But the reason I was asking about your family is that my son had a crush on your daughter. . . .”

A porcelain bust of De Tocqueville was presented to society members, whose executive director is Erline Garn.