Times Honors Individuals, Groups for Helping Others

Two literacy volunteers and five nonprofit organizations were honored by the Los Angeles Times Valley and Ventura County editions with the 1999 Community Partnership Award at a luncheon Wednesday at the newspaper’s San Fernando Valley facility.

About $35,000 in grants were given to community service organizations in the Valley and Ventura County, organizers said.

Betty Ramos Wexler, 62, of Chatsworth was honored for her service as an adult literacy volunteer. Her grant will go to the San Fernando Valley chapter of Rolling Readers USA, a program that links volunteer readers and tutors with elementary schoolchildren.

In accepting the award, Wexler recalled asking a girl why she was so anxious to learn to read.

“She looked up at me with big brown eyes and said, ‘I want to learn so I can teach my mommy how to read,’ ” Wexler said. “It was a defining moment for me. There is a need out there, and this child knows the need.”

Brandon J. Keefe, 13, of West Hills, was recognized for his service as a youth literacy volunteer. He will donate his grant to BookEnds, a project of Community Partners in West Hills that collects books and distributes them to needy children.

Brandon, a student at Chaminade College Preparatory Middle School in Chatsworth, has collected books for needy children since he was 8.

“Supporting outstanding nonprofit programs is part of the Times’ on-going commitment to the communities we serve,” said Julia C. Wilson, president of The Times Valley/Ventura County editions. “We are proud to recognize organizations and volunteers who provide the vital services that make a difference in people’s lives.”

The newspaper also presented its Social Services Award to the Antelope Valley Special Olympics, its Health Services Award to Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurses Assn. of Ventura County and its Youth/Education Services Award to the Future Leaders of America, San Fernando Valley Affiliate.

D.O.L.L.S. Inc. of Calabasas received the Senior Citizen Services Award and the Children’s Services Auxiliary of Ventura County and its Kids’ Arts program was presented the Cultural Arts Award.

Organizers said the seven nonprofit organizations each received a $5,000 award grant.

This year’s award recipients were selected by a seven-member panel of judges from the Valley and Ventura County.

The 1999 Community Partnership Awards Program was open to all tax-exempt nonprofit organizations in The Times’ Valley/Ventura County market area.