 | | | Eagle Scout Sean Turney was recognized by outgoing mayor Amy Worth for his Eagle project at Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center. Photo Sora O'Doherty | | | | | | Outgoing mayor Amy Worth finished out her fifth term as mayor of Orinda by handing out five awards, four mayor's Awards of Excellence, and a proclamation for an Eagle Scout. The five awards honored the young and the young-at-heart, going to Seniors Around Town, Lamorinda Village, Girls Crushing It, the Miramonte Environmental Solutions Club and Eagle Scout Sean Turney.
The award to Seniors Around Town recognized the many volunteers and devoted staff for their two decades of service, providing free transportation to Orinda seniors and for their extraordinary efforts during the COVID crisis, offering companionship, transportation, shopping, home delivery of library books and materials and other essential services to Orinda seniors. Accepting the award were Kate Wiley, Cindy Powell, Cathy Goshorn and Marie Waterman.
The mayor expressed grateful appreciation to Lamorinda Village for building a community that provides support, companionship and resources to seniors, enabling community members to prosper while living in their homes as they age and for the volunteers' exceptional efforts
during the COVID crisis to provide both current services and expanded resources, as well offering virtual social and educational programs. Lamorinda Village was represented at the meeting by Larry Toy, Lamorinda Village president, Joyce & Jack Hawkins, Lamorinda Village secretary and treasurer; Kathryn Ishizu, Lamorinda Village executive director; and Sharon Iverssen, Lamorinda Village board member and president-elect. Toy said that Lamorinda Village now has 201 members, 300 volunteers and in the past year handled 2,000 calls, arranged for 600 COVID vaccines to be administered, and prepared 350 go-bags for seniors.
Roxanne Christophe accepted the award for Girls Crushing It. The mayor recognized the group's exceptional programs to inspire and empower girls ages 8-18 through mentorship and entrepreneurial experiences that increase confidence and build leadership skills, providing a vital foundation for success in both their education and careers. Christophe said she was so grateful for the council's rock solid support, adding that, thanks to Nick Kosla and the city council, Girls Crushing It had one of the first events in the Art & Garden center, and she gave huge thanks to Todd Trimble and all the staff for allowing the girls to have access to such a wonderful venue.
The mayor also handed out awards to four members of the Miramonte Environmental Solutions Club: Devon Bradley, Sheng Shu, Alexis De Busschere and Joseph Manio. The award is for inspiring local sustainability by creating the Help Environmental Assistance Restaurant Takeout (HEART) Project and for playing an important role in creating Orinda's new ordinance banning the retail sales and use of polystyrene foam in restaurant take-out. The mayor was clearly happy to see high school students learning about and participating in local government to achieve their goals. Bradley said he was very honored to receive the award, and credited teacher Miss Rebecca Promessi. Shu thanked everyone who put so much into this program, his team especially, adding, "I've learned so much about the governing process and most importantly I've learned how much Orinda embraces change." De Busschere said it was a very fun experience, thanked the city council, whom she described as "very welcoming when we were advocating for improving our community." Manio agreed that the council was "so welcoming" that he feels much more involved in the community now.
In the last award of the evening, the mayor proclaimed that Dec. 15, 2021 would be Sean Turney Day in Orinda. Turney was recognized for obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest distinction in scouting and something only four out of 100 Scouts earn. Turney's project entailed building a horse shelter at Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center, a nonprofit organization in Orinda. Turney was interested in helping Xenophon because they incorporate interaction with horses and equestrian skill building into the therapy for people with developmental disabilities.
Turney expressed his thanks for the award and to scouting as well. Scoutmaster Kenneth Goldman said he was very proud of Turney. He said that it is nice to see the Troop giving back; the Troop is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA