When you provide that connection, said Guilin, “remarkable things happen…the catalyst and link for services available is Elvia and she has gained the respect for those in need and the professionals that provide the services. She had been dedicated to bridging that divide!
“This evening it is my honor and privilege,” he added, “to present Hernandez with the Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Service Award.”
A driving force for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church activities and festivals for decades, Hernandez has also been honored by the Latino Town Hall for her community efforts, including with Project Esperanza, based at the historic Oak Street church.
When Hernandez received the award she shared her thoughts on community service: “I think we all need to work for the community, not only Carlos,” Juarez, a second Community Service Award recipient, “not only Elvia, but all in Santa Paula that need to work for Santa Paula.”
The awards dinner also featured honors given to Citizen of the Year Harold Edwards, Sam Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award winners Dianne and Dudley Davis, Community Service Award recipients Hernandez and Carlos Juarez, Non-Profit of the Year Blanchard Community Library, Business Beautification Award — Santa Paula Orthodontics Jared T. Lee, DDS MS, Small Business of the Year Red Hot Foods/Santa Paula Salas Co. Burma and Butch Baselice and Large Business of the Year Bank of the Sierra.
Mayor Jenny Crosswhite gave the State of the City Address before an audience of community leaders and elected officials that included Supervisor Kelly Long, Vice Mayor Ginger Gherardi and Councilman Clint Garman, Martin Hernandez and John Procter.
