Thursday, June 5, 2008 - 10th Annual Golden Plate Awards Gala

Foothill Unity Center will honor several individuals and organizations for their outstanding service to the community. This fundraising function will be held at the Doubletree Hotel, 924 W. Huntington Drive in Monrovia. This annual event encourages humanitarianism in the community and recognizes these efforts.

Tickets to the Golden Plate Awards dinner are $ 100 per person, with all proceeds benefiting the Center. A number of sponsorship opportunities are available. For information, contact Betty or Lynn at the Center, (626) 358-3486.

Click here for more details, sponsorship opportunities and reservation information

2008 Honorees

Heart In Hand Humanitarian Award - Peter C. Hoffman

Peter C. Hoffman, president of the Sierra family of automotive dealerships, will receive Foothill Unity Center’s top accolade, the Heart In Hand Humanitarian Award, at the organization’s 10th Annual Golden Plate Awards dinner on Thursday, June 5, at the Doubletree Hotel in Monrovia. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Center.

Hoffman’s involvement with the local community began immediately following his move to Monrovia in 1988 to join his family company. Foothill Unity Center has enjoyed his invaluable and generous support for many years, including Sierra’s major annual sponsorship of the Center’s KABC Eyewitness News Hoop Challenge. 

“Under the leadership of Executive Director Joan Whitenack and Assistant Director Betty McWilliams, the Center does so much to support those in need while making sure the rest of us don’t forget to support them, too," says Hoffman. “I must also credit (late Center board member and past president) Jules Sandford, whose kind offers of opportunities for us to participate always had the quiet but undeniable forcefulness of a moral imperative.” 

The long list of local organizations that have benefited from Hoffman’s involvement and support also includes City of Hope, Methodist Hospital, the Monrovia and Duarte schools, Boys & Girls Club, Kiwanis, and the Monrovia Library. He has served on the boards of Santa Anita Family Services and the Chamber of Commerce. As president of the Chamber in 1993, he was instrumental in founding its Leadership Academy.

Hoffman also chaired Monrovia High School’s Automotive Youth Education System (AYES) Business and Education Council, partnering with the school to keep Career Technical Education alive when it was being threatened statewide. He has been involved with a range of local community development efforts and forged rewarding partnerships between the business community, the city and the schools.

A California native, Hoffman graduated from La Salle High School in Pasadena and the University of Notre Dame. He holds an MS in Quantum Electronics and a law degree from UCLA. He and his wife, Toni, live in Monrovia. They have a son, Brian, 23, and a daughter, Leah, 21.

Hoffman believes that giving back is a two-way street. “A business cannot thrive in isolation. Sierra works because Monrovia works, and because the city values its businesses and its citizens. Our huge strength is working together. Those who coax people like me into this powerful slipstream of positive action are, of course, the real humanitarians.”

Corporate Award - Worley Parsons

Worley Parsons has done food, coat and clothing drives on a regular basis.  Their employees have come to help at every volunteer opportunity- such as the Letter Carrier Food Drives, Boat Races, Back to School, Holiday Packing and more.  Last year they had a Golf Tournament to benefit our Back to School Distribution.  With over one thousand local employees  we appreciate their support.

Foundation Award  - Carl E. Wynn Foundation           

This foundation has supported Foothill Unity Center for at least thirteen years.  We have received annual grants of $10,000 to $15,000 every year with a note to use where needed. This is the hardest type of grant to find and we truly appreciate their long tem support.

Community Organization Award - Citrus College

Citrus College has supported our efforts to help the disadvantaged in many ways, including coordinating their cosmetology students (100 to 200 each year) to give hair cuts and manicures at our Back to School for the past six years.  They also do food drives, toy drives and come out to volunteer on other events.  They are a great community partner!

Youth Volunteer Organization Award - National Charity League
 
National Charity League designated the Foothill Unity Center as the charity of choice to support for the last two years.  The daughters of the National Charity League members represent many local schools in the San Gabriel Valley, i.e. Westridge, Mayfield High School, Maranatha, High Point, Secret Heart, etc.   The girls have helped in many ways.  Packing and sorting food, preparation for events, clothing drives and help at Rainbow’s End, decorating 100’s of Angels for the toy/gift holiday program and 100’s of Spring Bags.  Each year they have had a Father Daughter volunteer project to benefit the Center.  They have also helped with food distributions and needed office help.  

Lifetime Service Award - Jan Noto

Jan received our Neighbors Helping Neighbors -Volunteer Award in 2000, and she has not slowed down since.  Jan, a thirteen year volunteer, does all of our thank you letters, the registration for most events, the children’s database for Back to School, and the Holidays.  In addition, she has been instrumental in the success of the Foothill Unity Center Auxiliary as the President and currently the Treasurer. The Auxiliary raises funds for the Center and helps at all events.  Jan truly deserves this Lifetime Award.
          

Foothill Unity Center provides a range of services unparalleled not only in the San Gabriel Valley, but across Los Angeles County. Operating with a small staff and a corps of dedicated volunteers, the nonprofit, nondenominational organization distributed over two million pounds of food to more than 2, 200 qualified families last year. It also provides clothing, limited motel vouchers, and referrals to the homeless and people in crisis. Clients meet stringent income guidelines and are requalified annually. Over 56% are children and seniors. For more information, call the Center at (626) 358-3486.

Click here for more details, sponsorship opportunities and reservation information

Additional Events in 2008:

Sunday, May 4, 2008 - CROP Walk Against Hunger

Saturday, May 10, 2008 - Letter Carriers Food Drive

Saturday and Sunday, August 2nd and 3rd, 2008 - Race Against Hunger Boat Races

August, 2008 - Back To School Distribution

November, 2008 - Thanksgiving Distribution

December, 2008 - Holiday Distribution