Longtime Volunteer Receives Angel Award

Studio City resident Dolores Bononi calls herself a volunteer. Others swear she’s an angel.

Bononi was honored with the St. Anne’s Angel Award at a luncheon Tuesday at the group’s downtown headquarters. The award recognizes the countless hours that Bononi has spent volunteering for the organization. Past winners include Nancy Reagan, Loretta Young and Art Linkletter.

This year, Bononi was an obvious choice, said Loise Dunne, director of the nonprofit organization, which provides housing and guidance for teen mothers.

“There is no one here that’s done more than she has,” Dunne said.

Bononi, who has volunteered at St. Anne’s for 19 years, said she simply has done what anyone in her position would do.

“I realized that I was able to give back to my community and maybe make a difference in a young girl’s life,” she said before accepting her award. “It’s something I think everyone should do. There are people who need us.”

In her two decades of service, Bononi has single-handedly run the organization’s North Hollywood thrift shop, served as president of the St. Anne’s Guild and created programs as a member of the education committee. She currently serves on the organization’s board of directors.

“It’s a real honor to win this award,” she said. “I was just trying to help.”