Compassionate awards Compassionate awards (January 02, 2004)

Honorees named for exhibiting character trait
by Teresa C. Brown

The school district, the city and a coalition of organizations, churches, service groups and businesses gathered last week to give awards for exemplifying compassion, the second trait in the Community of Character campaign being waged citywide. The Dec. 17 award recognition was held at the Chamber of Commerce office and honored three individuals, a charitable agency and two service clubs.

Those recognized were Eileen Morley, director of Human Services for the city; John Benenek, a teacher at Amador Valley High School; philanthropist John Reding; Open Heart Kitchen; and both the Downtown and North Pleasanton Rotary Clubs.

The Rotary Clubs were honored especially for the work they have done with the Wheelchair Foundation, said Chamber of Commerce past president Dave Walden, who made the presentations. Rotarian Dick Stafford said the service groups have collectively donated 1,400 wheelchairs to Tulancingo, which is Pleasanton's sister city in Mexico, and to nearby Oaxaca.

Open Heart Kitchen, which is funded primarily through donations, provides meals for the needy, Walden said, adding that in 2003, "they have served more than 50,000 meals."

Reding was honored for his acts of compassion that "are a part of John's life," Walden said. He recounted a story when Reding was at a supermarket and overheard a man talking to the bakery clerk about his impending wedding, which was being held in a park because that was all the couple could afford. As the young man was preparing to pay for his wedding cake, Reding step up and paid for it.

Benbenek was recognized for his work as the English Language Learners program coordinator at Amador. Benbenek is not only an "outstanding role model," he strives to give each of the school's English language learners the best opportunity for success both "academically and socially," Walden said.

Working in the city's Parks and Community Services Department, Morley "is an example of a person who goes the extra mile to help people," Walden said. He noted one of her career highlights was being asked to host a tent of homeless military veterans for Stand Down, a weekend support program.

The Community of Character promotes six traits under its banner, including responsibility, compassion, self-discipline, honesty, respect and integrity. Each month, PUSD, the city and the coalition focus on one of the traits and recognize outstanding community members and organizations for exemplifying these traits.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.