Dedicated to helping children

Susan McCormack

COSTA MESA -- Nearly 20 years after longtime resident Eva Marin

first became involved in her community, she remains unstoppable.

A mother of four, the 42-year-old has been involved in youth activities

since her eldest son started kindergarten 19 years ago. She said that

becoming involved in her son’s school catapulted her into volunteering

for other kinds of activities.

“One leads you to another one,” she said. “I actually enjoy all of them.”

It was her dedication, Mayor Gary Monahan said, that made her a shoo-in

for the December Mayor’s Award, which she will receive at the City

Council meeting Dec. 6.

Marin’s children range in age from 8 to 24, including one son at Ensign

Middle School and a daughter at Whittier Elementary. Since she first

became involved in her children’s educations, she has coordinated room

mothers, been a PTA president and served as a representative for the

school district. Last year, Marin founded Whittier Elementary’s Girl

Scout Troop.

Whittier Elementary principal Sharon Blakely called Marin a “generous,

warm, intelligent, thoughtful, involved person.”

“Whatever you need, she does ... she has no frills, but what she has she

uses so wisely,” Blakely said. “She just says all the right things that

build collegiality and make positive change.”

When asked how many organizations she is involved in, Marin said she

can’t remember, but estimated she volunteers between seven and 10 hours

each week -- in and out of the schools.

She recently graduated from the advanced citizens committee, becoming

certified in search and rescue techniques.

And she wasn’t satisfied in just joining herself. She recruited about 12

Spanish-speaking mothers to attend the first Spanish academy.

Marin has lived in Costa Mesa since she was a child, and she said she has

no regrets about sticking around.

“I’ve seen the changes,” she said. “You get used to seeing the small town

grow into a bigger place, and you get additional people and problems.

But, I still think it’s a great place to live.”

Nominations for the Costa Mesa Mayor’s Award are accepted on an ongoing

basis. If you know someone who has performed an outstanding act, service

or good deed, contact City Hall.