Lori Leyba-Kramer

Lori has been mentoring nine-year-old Gabriel through the Chemo Pal Program at the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA).

As a Pediatric Chemo Pal Mentor, Lori helps children and teens break through the isolation, chaos and loneliness of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. This volunteer program’s purpose is to provide a supportive relationship, ensuring that each child maintains self-esteem and confidence throughout the emotionally isolating and physically difficult cancer treatment.

She also provides support and guidance through dependable visits in the midst of the battle against cancer. She participates in visits at the hospitals, clinic, and in the home in order to play games, take walks, read, do art projects or share hobbies with the child or teen that she has been placed with.

Lori and Gabriel have many hobbies and activities that they do together, including movies, going to the Children’s Theater, and bowling. Gabriel has taught Lori how to play chess, and Lori has taught Gabriel how to play poker. When Lori visits, it gives Gabriel’s mom a chance to check emails and return phone calls while Lori and Gabriel play.

Lori has also volunteered through CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for children), the Beaverton Arts Commission, on the Board for the Washington County Arts, Culture, and Humanities, along with various other opportunities.

Chris Cobb

Chris Cobb is a dedicated Chemo Pals at the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA).

As a Pediatric Chemo Pal Mentor, Chris helps children and teens break through the isolation, chaos and loneliness of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. This volunteer program’s purpose is to provide a supportive relationship, ensuring that each child maintains self-esteem and confidence throughout the emotionally isolating and physically difficult cancer treatment.

Chris provides support and guidance through dependable visits in the midst of the battle against cancer. He visits hospitals, clinic, and homes in order to play games, take walks, read, do art projects or share hobbies with the child or teen that he has been placed with.

Chris has been matched with four-year-old Logan for about nine months. Both enjoy board games, video games, remote control cars, as well as outside events such as Blazers Games, events, and walks.

Chris has also volunteered for the United Way, a local homeless shelter, as well as many CCA events.

Rachel Derosia

Rachel is a dedicated part of the Chemo Pal Program at the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA).

As a Pediatric Chemo Pal Mentor, Rachel helps children and teens break through the isolation, chaos and loneliness of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. This volunteer program’s purpose is to provide a supportive relationship, ensuring that each child maintains self-esteem and confidence throughout the emotionally isolating and physically difficult cancer treatment.

Rachel is on the board for School House Supplies; she volunteers at the Oregon Food Bank and for the environment and helps with the CCA auction and other events. She has been matched in the Chemo Pal program with three different children: Britney, Megan, and Gabe. Between the three, she has played numerous games, made many pieces of jewelry and engaged in countless conversations. Her main goal with the program is to give the children the individual attention that they need and to have a positive attitude.

Annika Joshi

Annika Joshi is an all-around volunteer, who is involved in numerous community activities as well as being a Chemo Pal for the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA).

As a Pediatric Chemo Pal Mentor, Annika helps children and teens break through the isolation, chaos and loneliness of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. This volunteer program’s purpose is to provide a supportive relationship, ensuring that each child maintains self-esteem and confidence throughout the emotionally isolating and physically difficult cancer treatment. Annika provides support and guidance through dependable visits in the midst of the battle against cancer. She visits hospitals, clinic, and homes in order to play games, take walks, read, do art projects or share hobbies with the child or teen that she has been placed with.

Annika is currently matched with eight-year-old Megan. She originally became involved in the program about six months ago.

When she was first matched with Megan, there was no communication because Megan would not speak to Annika. She really tried to figure out what Megan was interested in, and eventually got her to talk over games of Scene It and spaghetti lunches together. Eventually Megan became comfortable talking to Annika and now Megan is much more social. They enjoy playing board games, doing craft projects and chatting.

Annika also donates her time to the Oregon Health and Science University, the American Heart Association and participates in many volunteer trips to Mexico during college.

Joan Lunden

An award winning broadcast journalist, entrepreneur and mother of seven, Joan Lunden is one of America’s most recognized television personalities. Recently, Lunden linked with DIRECTV to salute caring DIRECTV subscribers in a new series entitled “Hometown Heroes.” The show calls public attention to the work that volunteers are doing to improve the communities in which they work, play and live. Each episode of the half-hour show features three stories about people who make a difference in their communities and are customers of the satellite service.

As host of Good Morning America for almost two decades, she helped millions of American families start each day. The longest running host ever on early morning television, during her tenure she reported from 26 countries, covered four presidents, five Olympics and two Royal weddings. As producer and host of “Behind Closed Doors” seen on ABC and A&E TV, she took us into the worlds of the CIA, the Secret Service, the Navy Seals and the Special Forces. For her in-depth coverage of our Armed Forces she was awarded the Decoration for Distinguished Civilian Service; the highest honor that can be given to a civilian.

Ms. Lunden is a nationally known speaker addressing groups as large as 25,0000, on subjects ranging from Women’s Health and Children’s Nutrition, Fertility and Surrogacy, The Television Media, Dealing with Change, Finding Success and the Search for Inspiration and Happiness. Lunden toured with Tony Robbins for three years and has hosted corporate events for such companies as Hyperion Solutions, VISA, Tricon Global Restaurants, Volvo and Hewlett Packard. She has hosted numerous satellite media tours and media events including Benefiber, National Canned Foods, Oral B, Uncle Bens, Schering-Plough, and the National Pork Association. Lunden has also hosted many corporate annual meetings as well as institutional videos, representing such entities as The American Dental Association and The American Lung Association.

A Champion of philanthropic causes, Lunden has worked for fifteen years with the Michael Bolton Charities in their effort to protect women and children at risk. She has served as spokesperson for “Mothers Against Drunk Drivers”, the American Lung Association’s “Stop Smoking during Pregnancy” and the American Red Cross. Lunden Hosted the syndicated TV special, “America’s Invisible Children: The Crisis of Homeless Education in America”, which is currently airing nationwide. Lunden also recently moderated round table discussion at the first International “Playing for Good” Philanthropic Summit in Mallorca, Spain. The event brought together the worlds of business, celebrity and charity in an effort to make a measurable difference in the lives of families and children worldwide.

Lunden’s dedication to family and civic responsibility have earned her numerous honors and awards, including the Spirit of Achievement Award from the Albert Einstein College of Yeshiva, National Women’s Political Caucus Award, New Jersey Division of Civil Rights Award, Baylor University Outstanding Woman of the Year and the YWCA Outstanding Woman’s Award. The New York Women in Communications honored Lunden with a Matrix Award for her outstanding contributions to the broadcasting field. She was voted “Mother of the Year” by the National Mother’s Day Committee and “Career Mother of the Year” by the National Institute of Infant Services.

Lunden’s years in broadcast television have endeared her to audiences nationwide, and she has reached millions more with her work as a vocal parenting and women’s health advocate. In August 2007, Lunden launched her latest venture, “Reveille” a unique women’s summer camp, designed to motivate and inspire women in the areas of health, wellness, and the importance of finding balance in their lives. A bestselling author, her books include Joan Lunden’s Healthy Living, Joan Lunden’s Healthy Cooking, Wake Up calls, A Bend in the Road is not the End of the Road, Growing up Healthy: Protecting your child now through Adulthood, Mother’s Minutes, Your Newborn Baby and Good Morning I’m Joan Lunden.

Mina Park

Mina Park is a Morgan Hill High School student and president of her school’s California Scholarship Federation Club. In 2006, Mina contacted the city’s Public Works Department asking how she and her club could help the city. Like most cities, Morgan Hill’s Streets & Parks Division has a large amount of work to accomplish with a small staff so volunteers make a difference.

Over the past three years, Mina has organized and led numerous clean up and improvement projects in Morgan Hill’s parks and streets. Mina and other students have picked up litter; spread wood chips, raked leaves, trimmed shrubs, planted bulbs and trees. The students recently installed three hundred storm drain labels on street curbs as part of the city’s storm water pollution prevention program.

Not only has Mina led more projects than any other student but she is also the most organized and consistent volunteer. She is able to take charge of a group of disorganized students, focus everyone on the task at hand, encourage and lead them to completion of the project.

Penny Heupel

Penny Heupel works at Defense Distribution Center-San Joaquin and has been actively involved with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in the past 6 years as a Team Captain. Penny also has sold Daffodils for the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days during the past several years.

Among Penny’s other worthy endeavors has been working on the Combined Federal Campaign for 25 plus years. From 2005 and 2006 she was the Loan Executive for the Central Valley Sierra Combined Federal Campaign which covers 4,100 employees in 62 different Federal Agencies in Central California. For the 2004 Campaign, she was the Campaign Chairperson for the Defense Distribution Center – San Joaquin managing 29 key workers, collecting over $113,000. Her campaigns have generated almost $913,000.

In addition, Penny works closely with several local agencies collecting goods and donations for their respective agencies such as Stockton Shelter for Homeless, Shelter Thrift Store, St. Mary’s Interfaith Community Services, American Cancer Society, Packed with Pride and Women’s Center of San Joaquin County.

Penny exemplifies what it is to be a good Samaritan and is an asset to our organization and to everyone that comes into contact with her.

Champaign County Christian Health Center

The Champaign County Christian health Center (CCCHC) is a network of dedicated volunteers who believe that access to health care is something that every person in America should have. Multiple times a week, CCCHC volunteer doctors, nurses, spiritual care providers, phlebotomist, hospitality volunteers, social workers, interpreters and psychiatrist gather to offer completely free, holistic health care to the 30,000 uninsured residents of Chamapign County.

The foundation of Chamapign County Christian Health Center was cemented in November 2002 when founder Jeff Trask attended a worship at the Christian Community Development Association Conference in Pasadena, California. Inspired by a similar clinic in Chicago, Jeff knew that Champaign County was a place that lacked adequate health care. With support from his congregation, Mr. Trask was able to get great community response and in September 2004 CCCHC saw its first client. To date, CCCHC has seen over 2,200 patients and had over 2,800 visits. CCCHC has grown from once clinic per week to multiple clinics per week and two satellite locations. CCCHC is not a federally qualified health center so the organization receives all of the funding for its clinics from grants and donations; of course prepared by awesome volunteer grant writers.

Considering that 68% of all bankruptcy cases in Chamapign County happen because of medical debt, the service CCCHC provides is invaluable. As a volunteer coordinator, I reach everywhere within our community to keep volunteers flowing into the organization. One of the best places to find volunteers has been the client pool. Clients are so grateful for the support provided; they wish to show their support to CCCHC.

All of the major health care outlets in our community must turn patients away due to lack of insurance, and because of their tremendous community record, Champaign County Christian Health Center is always highly recommended to those in need. Due to the effort of CCCHC, the organization has been able to refer patients with ongoing health care needs to the federally qualified health care center in our community. This is an especially needed resource considering that if these same patients tried to become clients of that low income health care center on their own, they would be turned away. That particular low income facility is at its capacity and does not accept new patients without referral.

CCCHC strives to work with relevant social justice and health care organizations in the community to keep building on the great thing that has been started. Each semester CCCHC welcomes university Community health students as interns to help us build strong community ties. Recently CCCHC added “Energy Healing Massage” to the list of services we provide on a weekly basis. Not only do our patients have access to nurse, providers and social workers to meet any pressing needs, they want to stick with the motto of being “holistic.”

CCCHC is made up of glorious volunteers that offer a needed service and deserve to be recognized for their energy!

Gina Elise

As a creator of the nostalgic “Pin-Ups For Vets” calendar fundraiser project that supports our hospitalized Veterans and deployed troops, Gina Elise has been very close to Veterans and their healthcare issues over the last few years.

Gina has worked tirelessly outside of her 9-5 job, visiting hundreds of hospitalized Veterans in hospitals across the United States. She has delivered hundreds of the donated “Pin-Ups For Vets” calendar gifts to them, inscribed with personalized messages of appreciation for their service to our country.

Gina has raised $20,000 for Veterans and military hospital programs that care for our Vets and active duty military. She has also delivered hundreds of donated calendar gifts to our deployed military in Iraq and Afghanistan. Because of her work to support our Veterans and troops, she has been honored with 5 flags flown over military bases in Iraq in honor of this project. The California Jaycees Foundation and the California Junior Chamber of Commerce selected Gina Elise as 2007 “Outstanding Young Californian.”

Veteran’s health issues and causes are close to her heart, and she is also honoring the four year military service of her late Grandpa Lou. Gina’s project to support hospitalized Veterans and deployed troops has touched people around the world. This project has gained support, not just in the United States, but also in other countries.

Hundreds of ill and injured Veterans have received personal visits and gifts from Gina. Hundreds of troops have had their morale boosted when they have received donated calendar gifts with messages of appreciation. Veterans and Military hospitals have benefited from the funds raised. Fox News in Los Angeles as well as TV networks, radio stations, newspapers and magazines around the country have reported on the success of Gina’s calendar fundraiser project.

Gina Elise was inspired by the beautiful pin-ups from World War II that boosted the morale of the troops in the 1940’s. She took that idea and created a modern day nostalgic pin-up calendar fundraiser that would again bring smiles to hospitalized Vets and deployed troops. She created a website where people around the world can order calendars for themselves, hospitalized Vets or for deployed troops. Her hospital visits have helped our Veterans and the calendars have cheered the troops.

ACTIVE 20-30 USA & ACTIVE 20-30 INTERNATIONAL

Aligning primarily and perfectly with the President’s Summit for America’s Future goal of “An opportunity to give back to their communities through their own service,” Active 20-30 also addresses every other Summit goal by providing caring adults acting as mentors, tutors and friends to children worldwide; providing safe places with structured activities in which to learn and grow; providing a healthy start; and providing an effective education that equips them with a marketable skill.

Few American-based organizations can equal the 85 years of positive impact that this organization has had on children throughout the United States and the entire world. Hundreds of millions of children have benefited from the generosity and hard work of the young professional members of Active 20-30. Since the first Active 20-30 Club formed in 1922 in Sacramento, CA, Active 20-30 has grown to be replicated to 112 Chapters worldwide in eleven countries.

Proudly promoting their motto daily that, “One never stands so tall as when kneeling to help a child,” Active 20-30 USA-Canada and Active 20-30 International has inspired millions of diverse, 20-39 year-olds to “Make a Difference,” in their community through volunteerism, fundraising, and acting as positive examples and role models for younger people.

Worldwide, the Active 20-30 organization has implemented over 150,000 hours annually of community service and volunteerism supporting children’s charities and schools, raising at least $14.2 Million through various fundraising efforts and events, benefitting over 100,000 children each year. In total and over 85 years, Active 20-30 has raised and donated over $400 million and 9 million hours of service benefitting over 1.5 million children around the globe!

Among the thousands of organizations that benefit annually from Active 20-30 USA and Active 20-30 International include Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Hurricane Katrina Relief, American Red Cross, United Way of America, Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America, Junior Achievement, United Cerebral Palsy, Easter Seals, Muscular Dystrophy, Jumpstart and Headstart Preschool programs, Child Abuse Prevention Council, American Cancer Society and various children’s hospitals and after-school programs.

Just in 2007, Active 20-30 USA & Canada Clubs have raised and provided funding, clothing and volunteerism support to the victims of the devastating forest fires of Lake Tahoe, raised funds and completed infrastructure improvements to Boys & Girls Clubs in Louisiana, hosted the national Active 20-30 Club convention in New Orleans for the sole purpose of supporting businesses and providing an economic boost for the beleaguered City, among many other projects and programs. Clubs nationwide have also volunteered their time this year to equip and construct playgrounds, implement “Shopping Sprees” that provide at-risk and low-income children with school supplies and clothing, mentored students, implemented various fundraising events, and delivered money and medical aid to international organizations, and hundreds of other benevolent programs. Active 20-30 International is a leading fundraising organization throughout Latin and South America, hosting international telethons that are featured on state-sponsored television and radio stations, as well as implement smaller fundraisers and hands-on programs that benefit Latin children’s charities and aid organizations.

Active 20-30 USA and Active 20-30 International are volunteer service organizations of members from 20-39 years of age, who through constant community service and implementation of fundraising activities; donate hundreds of thousands of dollars and direct, “hands-on” volunteerism hours to programs, charities, schools and activities that benefit children. Their motto, “Youth, to be served, must serve,” symbolizes the way in which these professional twenty and thirty something’s impact the younger generation, instilling a sense of generosity, pride and benevolence in both the giver and the recipient The skills gained and friendships created through Active 20-30 have also greatly enhanced and nurtured the abilities of young professionals – who have gone on to become civic and business leaders worldwide. Offering many professional and personal development practices, the Active 20-30 USA & Active 20-30 International, provides young adults with an opportunity for personal growth, friendship and leadership development, while still ultimately enhancing their local communities by improving the quality of life for children.

Active 20-30 counts among their many, well-respected past members including former-President Richard Nixon, California Governor Pete Wilson, late-Congressman Robert Matsui, Barry Goldwater, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, and many others. The Active 20-30 organization develops members through instruction and example, into more responsible and serviceable citizens. Their dedication to children creates in them a desire to participate actively in civic and welfare work in their respective communities for the rest of their lives.

Therefore, Active 20-30 USA and Active 20-30 International has positively impacted not only the lives of the children who benefited from the organizations’ compassion and generosity in the last 85 years; our communities and thousands of communities worldwide have also benefited from Active 20-30’s development and growth of thousands of positive, effective and professional leaders nationally and internationally for over 85 years.

At a time when more-and-more young people are becoming disenfranchised and discouraged by world and political events, feeling powerless to change their communities for the better, Active 20-30 members provide children with positive, young, diverse role-models after which they may imitate, and optimistic leaders after which they may follow.