Pleasanton Community of Character Collaborative, you’re welcome.
I am honored to have received the “Juanita Haugen Community of Character Award” for 2012 along with Debra Mitchell, Janet Liang and The Pleasanton Military Families (a support group for family, loved ones and friends of military men and women).
It was a privilege to be surrounded by previous Award Winner’s and others whose help and cooperation is much appreciated. Tri-Valley leaders in government, business and industry, the courts, school boards, and administrators and teachers, local newspapers, the Knights of Columbus, community churches, the Senior Center and community, the Tri-Valley YMCA, and folks in my neighborhood.
Wow! The applause, and then the kind words and thank you from Kelly Dulka, Chairperson of the Pleasanton Community of Character, was reward enough for the fun, challenges, excitement, new friends, and opportunities my volunteer service has brought me.
You thank me for what I have done to promote the values of a community of character.
I reply: You’re Welcome!
A special thanks to all my family for their help, support, and patience. Marcus, Stephen, Heidi, and especially to my wife, Hildegard, for her love, strength, and caring. I give credit to my Mom and Dad for many of the values I try to live by. My Dad, Carl, served with the YMCA for 45 years, retiring as the Executive Director of the Stockton, “Y”. Taught me to swim, lead songs and to get involved helping others. He believed that the YMCA is the best Family/Youth organization in the world and would have liked this year’s YMCA goals of Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.
My Mom, Barbara, graduated from Stanford when only about 500 women attended, expected the family to eat dinner together, made sure my brother, sister and I played piano. She taught 9th.grade English/Speech, History, and Leadership Class in Stockton. She organized a two- year campaign to build a vehicle and pedestrian overpass over the railroad tracks in Stockton to help kids get to school. “They” said it wouldn’t be built, but like Juanita Haugen, my Mom persisted. Thousands of cars and people are still crossing that bridge today. Dad died at age 90. Mom died lasts year at age 98. Dad’s epithet reads: “Pray not for easy lives, but to be stronger men and women”. Mom’s epithet reads: “Climb High, Climb Far, Your Goal the Sky, Your Aim a Star”. I say: Thank you Mom and Dad.
They reply: You’re Welcome
What a wonderful Awards Luncheon we had on May 9 sponsored by The Pleasanton Community of Character Collaborative at the Veterans Memorial Hall on Main Street.
Dave Melander
Proud to live in Pleasanton
