HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-01-2015 PC TasseffMeeting Date: 09/01/2015
Item No.: Public Comment
Distributed by Michelle Tasseff
Serve Santa Maria # 10
The Follow Up
Well, let me try and describe what took place in our valley today. It was absolutely amazing.
You won't read about it in the newspaper or see it on TV. This is the story of Serve Santa Maria
# 10 that took place August 29, 2015 in the Santa Maria Valley. It is about 3:30 ON Saturday
and I am back at my desk writing to you. It took all this time to check on each project, see the
work done, and talk with project leaders.
I am estimating there were 300 -350 of us serving throughout the community. Every project
was completed, except the handicap ramp that will be completed at another time. As I begin, I
think it would be appropriate to give thanks for folks who donated who made this day a
success.
When you arrived you may have appreciated a cup of coffee and a donut. The Santa Maria All
America City Committee made that possible. As you left for your project, you picked up a lunch
made by the Salvation Army. Many thanks to Captains Juan and Patricia Torres and their crew
for making and donating 400 lunches. The Pepsi Bottling Company in Santa Maria donated the
water. Warehouse supervisor Tim Dominguez is our connection there. Then there were
dumpsters. Hugh Bedford, of Bedford Enterprises donated 5 roll off dumpsters to projects. I
don't know what that costs, but it is a major factor in our success for these crazy group
projects. Thrivent Financial and the Santa Barbara gave financial support. Wow! And thanks
also to the Santa Maria Times for wonderful coverage announcing our event.
We are in the process of making Serve Santa Maria a non - profit organization. Once we get that
completed we will let you know. Let me announce that the Santa Barbara Foundation has given
us a Challenge Grant of up to $5,000. What that means is that when a financial gift is given, it
will be doubled up to $5,000. This grant is good until December 31, 2015. This will enable us to
serve generously in our community. We are all volunteers. We are paid, not with dollars, but
with a glad heart and a good feeling of helping another person or the community. And we
know God is honored through our service.
So let's give you the report project by project.
Proiect # 1— Tunnell Elementary School
The Project Leader was Principal Linda Muranaka. She was the only one there when we arrived
after lunch as all the servants had gone home because all was completed. She was smiling from
ear to ear. She was beaming with joy from all that was accomplished. The map of the United
States looked great, the garden was all weeded, benches were painted with school colors and
the building was washed down (it was seriously in need of cleaning). It looked so clean that it
seemed like the building had just been painted.
Project # 2 — Ontiveros Elementary School
The Project Leader was Principal Rebecca Herrick. She was very happy with all the work
accomplished. They had the map of the United States painted on their playground, their
garden cleaned and prepared for planting, pillars painted, colored dots painted on the
kindergarten playground, and lots of bark spread throughout the campus. It looked real nice!
Project # 3 — McKenzie Middle School in Guadalupe
The Project Leader was Principal Gabe Solario. Their parking lot had over 75 plants put in.
When we arrived about 2:00 p.m. they were working on the drip irrigation system. Then the
bark was going in. Our volunteers even went outside the parking lot and weeded in a drainage
ditch beside West Main Street that runs adjacent to the parking lot. We didn't ask our
volunteers to do this, but they did. It really made things look nice. So those of you out there,
you really went the extra mile. Way to go!
Project # 4 — The home on 1709_N. Concord
Tony Murphy was the Project Leader at this residence. He is part of All -4- Christ Church in
Nipomo. From Nipomo! Their church volunteers and others completely filled a roll off
dumpster. The woman who lives there with her parents was very appreciative. Tony told me
the daughter was in tears several times because it was so overwhelming having so many people
come to their home to help. It is very humbling being on the receiving end of such generosity.
They showed me the backyard that was now easily accessed. It was quite different from when I
visited their home.
Project #_ 5 - The home on 605 E. Chapel
A senior citizen lives here. His parents bought the home in the 1950's. He can't do yard work
any more. It has been years since any trimming has been done. So a group from Grace Baptist
Church, with Project Leader Dino Paduganan, set out to transform the place. They filled one
dumpster and needed some of a second dumpster! One woman from the church was there
working with a less than one year old strapped to her chest. I think her little one was our
youngest volunteer! Amazing! It looked totally different from when I first saw the yard and
met the owner. Well done, good and faithful servants.
Project # 6 — The home on 470 Newlove
Greg Nims was the Project Leader and went the extra mile by power washing the fence two
days before our event day to prepare it for painting. That took several hours. So when 30 -40
volunteers from Saint Joseph High School showed up today to paint it was ready to go. Yard
work was also completed. It changed the nature of the little street off of Newlove and now the
fence shines! The owner was ecstatic and wanted to convey her thanks to Serve Santa Maria.
Way to go, young people and your adult leaders. It looks awesome because of your work.
Project # 7 - The home on 327 W. Cook
We want to build a handicap ramp for the senior who receives dialysis every other day.
Building a ramp is complicated and expensive, so this project will be completed at another date.
Project # $. -The home on 574 Dale Way
-- - - n .- .....-.._ ._ .. _....._._-..
A senior in her 90's lives on her own and is challenged by hoarding. But she said we could do
her front yard, but don't touch her stuff. She's very sweet, but needs help. Her neighbors were
grateful for our work. Lynn Spier was our Project Leader. He and many from First Christian
Church led the charge. I assigned LaVonne McGee, the Parish Assistant at the church where I
serve, to be this woman's advocate. She is a woman of grace and has the love of Christ in her.
She helped the woman stay calm as she witnessed her yard have a miracle. They filled a roll -off
dumpster. What an effort. On Thursday, two days before the event, the owner told me we
can't go in the back yard, but we can work on the greenery in the front yard. Whew! I've been
in the backyard. It is a mess. But that will have to be another day. She called me twice this
afternoon to tell me we did a good job. Way to go TEAM SERVE SANTA MARIA.
Project # 9 - The home on 937 Dejoy Street.
This is the home of Marilyn Pharis who was murdered earlier this month. A team of people,
many of her work associates, were there to do yard work. A police officer came by who knew
of a friend who had a chain saw because the chain saw that was brought didn't seem to work.
The officer called Dennis Szczepanski. I learned that Dennis is in the midst of fighting cancer
and getting treatments. But he came and the chain saw was buzzing when I arrived and he did
his work without a complaint. We pray you will be healed, Dennis! These are the kind of
amazing people we have in our valley. The home was drastically improved. The other day the
Allstate agent for the home called me because she saw my picture in the Santa Maria Times.
She didn't have any contact information for the home. So I gave her the name of Nancy Diaz
who was the Project Leader and a friend of Marilyn's. Nancy gave the Allstate agent the name
of Marilyn's siblings and Allstate is filing for a claim that will help with some of the repairs to
the home. Thanks Santa Maria Times for the coverage. Another miracle.
Project # 10 - McClelland Street by Library Parking Lat
Berta Rodriguez from TJ Max and their employees planted plants and spread bark. That ground
was very hard, but they didn't complain. They got it done and it looks beautiful.
Project # 11- VTC Garden
Rob Saunders and people from Element Church cleaned up the Community Garden at VTC. Lots
of weeds when they pulled up, but it looked great when they were done.
Project # 12 - Veteran's Memorial Building
Erin and employees from FED -EX did some landscaping and planting of plants at the Veteran's
building.
PrgLq t.# 13 Pioneer Park
Quite a few people spread bark at Pioneer Park. It always looks so nice when new bark chips
are spead.
Project # 14 — Prayer Team
We had a group of prayer warriors holding up the event today and even before the event.
Terry Zuniga was our Project Leader for this. I never quite know who is coming and how many.
Some churches and groups do call and get first choice on projects, but often we need lots more
and that is what happened today. There were groups from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Pioneer
Valley Key Club, the Church of Latter Day Saints, and God only knows who else. Having a sense
for the groups that are planning to come enables me to spread them out and have some
projects covered. If you want to be a project leader in the future, please let me know. A
project leader is someone with whom I can communicate as we drive around in Command
Central. I'm making phone calls and checking on projects as my pilot, Dr. Warren Gabaree
drives us around. We were joined by Dale Pena of the Community Television group as he
recorded video of the projects for our historical records.
I'll try and get some pictures together and post them on our website and Facebook page. Our
website is www.ServeSantaMaria.com.
I saw over the course of the day all of the city council of Santa Maria serving. And I mean ALL 5
of them. (Mayor Alice Patino, Jack Boysen, Bob Orach, Etta Waterfield, and Terri Zuniga).
What a statement! We applaud your leadership and love for our city. Thanks for representing
and serving our community. There were many other leaders from our community out there
too. I saw Supervisor Steve Lavagnino and fire chief Dan Orr. Way to go. There may have been
others. There were so many helping. It's all of us working together that makes SERVE SANTA
MARIA happen. KUDOS to every one who showed up today.
If you have read this far, you are a committed servant. Thank you for serving!
So let's do it again next spring. APRIL 16, 2015 WILL BE SERVE SANTA MARIA 11. Put it on your
calendar right now. Plan to participate and if you are part of a church, make it part of your
mission outreach. Get a group and go on a mission trip for a half -day IN OUR OWN
COMMUNITY and see what happens to your people. Something special is happening in Santa
Maria and YOU are part of it.
It's time to go home now. My heart is full. It's been another wonderful day. SOLI DEO GLORIA.
Pastor Carl Nielsen
Organizer of Serve Santa Maria