Orlando Hernandez, a volunteer tax preparer for the United Way of Ventura County’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It program since 2006, and David Perez, chair of the Young Leaders Society’s board of directors, are among a group of individuals and organizations that will be honored during the seventh annual “Spirit of Community Partnership Awards” event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Serra Center, 5205 Upland Road, Camarillo.
This luncheon event will also honor the United Way’s Top Ten corporate partners, volunteers, leadership givers, and supporters.
The following awards will be presented:
Hernandez is the recipient of the Douglas Shively Award presented annually to the individual who has provided the highest level of outstanding community impact support throughout Ventura County. Hernandez has served as a volunteer tax preparer for the United Way of Ventura County’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It program since 2006. By day, he works for the Internal Revenue Service and through his volunteer work, Hernandez transfers his extensive skill set to help hundreds of low-income individuals and families receive free tax assistance and access their full refund.
Perez is the recipient of the Young Leaders Society’s “Youth Empowerment” Award for his outstanding commitment and involvement to help empower young people in civic engagement. Perez is Chair of the Young Leaders Society’s Board of Directors and has been involved in many YLS activities including the Youth Empowerment Summit and the Reading First Program. Perez is the Marketing Manager at Pacifica Hotel Company in Santa Barbara.
Madeline Hess is the recipient of the Milton M. Teague Award in recognition of her outstanding overall community volunteerism and support of the United Way. Hess is the immediate past Chair of the United Way Board of Directors and is a member of the United Women’s Leadership Council and Community Impact Council.
Aera Energy LLC is the recipient of the Roy Pinkerton Award presented annually to the top company displaying outstanding corporate citizenship. Located in Ventura, Aera Energy and its employees are actively involved in the local community through United Way of Ventura County, the Police Activities League, and several educational programs and business organizations.
First 5 Ventura County is the recipient of the first-ever Chairman’s Award presented to an organization that has worked to Advance the Common Good in the areas of Education, Income and/or Health through a partnership with United Way. First 5 Ventura County is making sound investments in the future of children and has partnered with United Way for several community initiatives including the Born Learning engagement campaign to help parents, caregivers, and communities create early learning opportunities for young children. First 5 is also a partner and funder with United Way for the Self Sufficiency Calculator — a web-based tool used by family support workers to link families to governmental benefits to which they may be eligible and a partner and funder with United Way for the 2-1-1 information and referral telephone number that provides county residents with access to health and human services in Ventura County.
Suzanne “Sue” Chadwick is the recipient of the United Women’s Leadership Council’s “Turning Compassion into Action” Award for her outstanding participation and dedication to help resolve foster care emancipation issues in our community through collective financial and leadership power. Chadwick is one of the founding members of the United Women’s Leadership Council and is a past member of the United Way Board of Directors. Chadwick is the Senior Vice President & Regional Community Relations Executive serving clients in Ventura County for Santa Barbara Bank & Trust.
Tickets for the event are $60 per person and includes lunch.
To purchase event tickets online, go to www.vcunitedway.org and click on “Events” or mail a check to: United Way of Ventura County, 1317 Del Norte Road, #100, Camarillo, CA 93010. For event information, call 805.485.6288 or email info@vcunitedway.org