Volunteers

Helping hands

FOUNTAIN VALLEY

‘He Doesn’t Lose Sight of His Goals’

Who: Eric Anderson

Contribution: Recognized as “volunteer extraordinaire” by the Fountain Valley School District Board of Trustees. Anderson, 35, has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, but is still a dedicated volunteer at James H. Cox Elementary School. He is starting his eighth year as a volunteer at the school. Fourth-grade teacher Carrie Luger Slayback said Anderson is never late, never misses a week and has become an inspiration to students over the years. “This is one way he can make use of his time and be a contributing member of society,” she said. Slayback said Anderson lives on his own and attends classes at Cal State Long Beach. “He never gives up. . . . He doesn’t lose sight of his goals and he is somebody who thinks education is top priority. What he’s done with his life shows that he thinks that education is something to be sought.”

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COSTA MESA

Stocking the Larder

Who: Sellers at Costa Mesa’s Farmers Market

Contribution: Donate leftover produce every week to the Orange County Catholic Worker social services organization. “The people are wonderful,” said Catholic Worker volunteer Sue Mindner of the sellers. “The farmers said they’d be so happy to be able to help. I have gained such a faith in my fellow man again. The farmers who have the least give the most.” She collects enough food each week to help Catholic Worker feed about 40 families and provide some meals to the homeless.

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FULLERTON

These Teens Make a Difference

Who: Twenty-one Fullerton teen-agers

Contribution: Honored by the City Council for participating in the summer Volunteen Program, in which they contributed more than 4,500 hours doing work including wiping out graffiti and cleaning parks. Four of the teen-agers each received $400 scholarships for participating in the program for the second year, while the other 17 each received $300 scholarships.

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IRVINE

Agency Battles Homelessness

Who: The Irvine Health Foundation

Contribution: Presented a $9,000 grant to Irvine Temporary Housing to develop a homeless prevention services program. Irvine Temporary Housing provides living accommodations for up to six months for homeless families in the city. In addition to food, clothing and counseling already offered by Irvine Temporary Housing, the grant will help the organization research “key homeless indicators” and develop a comprehensive program to help Irvine families at risk of becoming homeless.

--COMPILED BY LYNN FRANEY, WITH CONTRIBUTIONS BY DEBRA CANO, MIMI KO AND RUSS LOAR