VENTURA : Volunteers Receive Awards From City

In recognition of National Volunteer Week, Ventura Mayor Gregory L. Carson has presented 155 awards to volunteers who have donated more than 100 hours of their time to the city.

Mary Mall, who was named Volunteer of the Year, racked up more than 600 hours of volunteer time with the Ventura County Special Olympics during the three years since she moved to Ventura. The Special Olympics program is sponsored by the city.

“Volunteering is so positive,” said Mall, a 25-year-old Ventura County probation officer who spends her free time coaching gymnastics, swimming and skiing. “You get so much out of it personally, and the athletes have such a great attitude.”

About 1,300 volunteers--from high school students to retirees--contributed more than 47,000 hours to the city last year, officials said. City Manager John Baker said volunteers save taxpayers money by providing services that otherwise would cost the city money. Volunteers are active in nearly every city department and do everything from data entry to recreation programs.

“My hat’s off to you for making this city better,” Carson told the crowd of volunteers in the ceremony last week. Given pending city budget cuts, he said, “we’re going to have to depend on you even more in the future.”