2008-2009

John Lyon

Category: 2008-2009

Dr. Lyon was born and raised in New York and Pennsylvania. He moved to California for his education, graduating from U. C., Davis as a Doctor of Veternary Medicine in 1968. He moved to Ojai in 1968 and practiced at his Matilija Verternary Hospital from 1970 to 2007. In that time he has touched the lives of many pet owners, providing kind and compassionate care to the animals under his charge.

He has been a very active Rotarian, providing for housing and education for needy exchange students, serving as President in 1974-75, and always there to lend a helping hand.

John, you are truly a treasure.

 

John Whitman

Category: 2008-2009

John Whitman was born in Milwaukee and served in the U.S. Navy aboard at minesweeper. Coming to Ojai in 1969, his service to our community has been truly sweeping in scope.

He has been very active in HELP of Ojai, named Volunteer of the Year. He is an Elder at his church, works with the Upper Ojai Search and Rescue, was on the Development Committee of the Ojai Hospital Foundation, and is currently serving on the Ojai Educational Foundation.

He is married, with 5 children and 9 grandchildren. John, you are a treasure to this community.

Karen Kaminsky

Category: 2008-2009

For the past 23 years, Karen has devoted her time to non-profits. She worked for 13 years at the Friendship Adult Day Care Center where she became Associate Director, commuting from Ojai. She started with HELP of Ojai for the past 10 years where she evolved into an Advocate over the years. Pet projects include the Meals on Wheels garden, donation Notary Public, Brown Bag Food Distribution program, and a ROSS grant person acting in a collaboration with the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy program. She works with clients on issues of Social Security, MediCal, etc. "My goal is to find ways to meet whatever unmet need I come across." She is grateful to live in the Ojai Valley, and we are most grateful that you are here.

Kathleen Tarrats

Category: 2008-2009

Kathleen Tarrats was born in Oxnard, attending Catholic School for 12 years. She is married, with 3 children and enjoys family and friends, traveling, the beach, being outdoors and the creativity of quilting.

She has worked for Help of Ojai for the past14 years, serving as the Director of RSVP (Retired Senior and Volunteer Program). Activities include the adult day support center, docent and instructor functions at the adaptive computer lab, collecting senior life stories, assitance with yard work and grocery shopping for homebound seniors, the community assistance office, and provision of general office support.

To quote Kathleen, "I love being the RSVP Director. The volunteers make my day! They are the true Living Treasures!"

Kim Stroud

Category: 2008-2009

Kim Stroud was born and raised in Ojai. For the past 15 years, she has been tirelessly involved with the rehabilitation of and education about Raptors. She trained with the Raptor Rehabilitation and Relase program in Simi Valley, and, in 1994, helped form the Wildlife Care of Ventura County where she served on the Board of that group for 8 years. In 2000, Ms. Stroud started the Ojai Raptor Center where between 400-500 raptors and 500 other birds are taken in and restored. She provides wildlife educational presentations and outreach programs to educate the public on the need to provide habitat and conservation for the birds in our area, what the laws are surrounding them, and how to co-habit with them.

Kim, you are indeed a treasured resource.

Linda Taylor

Category: 2008-2009

Linda Taylor is a retired teacher who is anything but retired. When she moved to Ojai, she began teaching at Ventura College. She developed a drug abuse education and prevention program for elementary and junior high school students at the Center for Drug Problems, Ventura County Mental Health Services. In the fall of 1985, she began teaching at Nordhoff High School.

Since her retirement, she has served as a Volunteer at HELP of Ojai, Master Gardeners of Ventura County, worked tirelessly for Rotary Ojai West, and is active as an Advisor for Nordhoff's Interact Club and Sailing Club. She is a member of Ojai Studio Artists, Ojai Trees, and is a volunteer at the Ventura County Fair.

Honors and duties include Nordhoff High School Teacher of the Year, Help of Ojai Volunteer of the Year, Governing Board of Ojai Unified School District and establishment of the Spotted Dog Studio, an open access printmaking studio for artists.

Linda, you are truly treasured.

Mary Evans

Category: 2008-2009

Mary Evans has served the Ojai Valley for the past 25 years as a Family Nurse Practitioner taking care of newborns to grandparents. She graduated in 1987 from the University of California at Davis Nurse Practitioner Program.

Ms. Evans has been active in local PTA, volunteering in computer labs for children and helping ESL children with their homework. She was active as group leader in the Mira Monte 4-H Club.

Her current passions include the Jane Cousamano Foundation to assist women with breast cancer, hosting free health care clinics including paps and mammogram screening, and recently assisting in the acquisition of a sentinal node biopsy device for Ojai Valley Community Hospital.

Mary, you are treasured.