FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2001
Contact: Diane Thomas
714. 834.6203
Volunteer Hours Valued
at $13 Million
(Santa Ana, CA) - An
80-year-old dubbed "Bicycle Bill," a newlywed
from Thailand, and an intern who helped prove a young
man's innocence are some of the 50 individuals and three
groups the Board of Supervisors will honor for their volunteer
efforts. The fifth annual County of Orange volunteer recognition
ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m., April 18 in the Hall of
Administration Board Hearing Room, 10 Civic Center Plaza,
Santa Ana.
The honorees represent 21,750 volunteers from 13 County
agencies/departments and three external groups.
Volunteers contributed 625,000 hours of service that is
valued at $13 million in avoided costs for County government.
Eighty-year-old Bill Sauter has refurbished hundreds of
bicycles over the last six years and donated them to young
clients of Children and Youth Services.
Thanks to his hard work, many children and teens from
disadvantaged families now have transportation to school,
part-time jobs, community events and counseling appointments.
Despite claims that he is retired, on any given day you
will find Sauter either scouring alleys looking for discarded
bikes, asking community residents to donate used bikes
or working in his garage transforming the hodge-podge
collection into freshly painted, usable transportation.
Somruedee Evans, "Ying," came to the United
States just over a year ago. Coming from Thailand, Evans
arrived in this country a newlywed. Motivated by her desire
to be useful in the community and learn the language,
she decided to volunteer.
Evans' background in sociology and anthropology led her
to work with Project Together, a program that benefits
at-risk children and their families. With Project Together
she assists with recreational events, fundraising activities
and the Project Together Resource Center.
While helping others, Evans discovered her own artistic
talent, which she put to use preparing for last year's
Project Together Holiday Boutique.
Law student Randall (Randy) Longwith says the movie "To
Kill A Mocking Bird" inspired him to help those who
are truly in need.
Four years ago, Longwith began volunteering by interviewing
potential clients of the Public Defender. It was up to
him to help the clients feel at ease and record their
statements.
In 1998, Longwith was assigned to work on a long-term
ongoing homicide case. After a lot of hard work by Longwith,
Public Defenders and other staff, the young man accused
of the crime was determined innocent and released to his
family and friends.
In addition to his work inside the Public Defender's office,
Longwith assists attorneys in preparing Los Pinos students
prepare for the Mock Trial Program. This program gives
teens a pride in themselves which quickly transfers to
other parts of their lives.
The Board will greet the honorees at a 7:45 a.m. reception
in the first floor lobby of the Hall of Administration.
Certificates of appreciation will be presented during
the awards ceremony and photo opportunities will immediately
follow the event.
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