Distinguishing work in the community

BARBARA DIAMOND

Soroptimist International of Laguna Beach honored five local women at

the 2003 Spring Awards Luncheon.

Women of Distinction Awards were presented to Vivian Clecak,

founder of Human Options; Betsey Jenkins, Laguna Beach School Board

member; Chris Krach, artist and school district volunteer; Donna

Schuller, philanthropist and youth charities supporter.

Margaret Warder was named Soroptimist of the Year at the luncheon

held at Montage Resort and Spa.

Warder has served two terms as president, the last two years as

treasurer. She is known as the club’s “encyclopedia of information,

master communicator and overall go-to person.”

“Margaret has sponsored many members, held every position on the

board and chaired numerous committees,” said Nancy Lindsay, who

introduced Warder. “If someone wants to know anything about

Soroptimists, I always say, go to Margaret Warder.”

This year alone, Warder chaired the Laguna Art Museum fund-raiser,

the Building Committee, the Rules and Procedures Committee,

Soroptimists Orientation, Leadership and Training Committee and the

Resolutions and By-laws Committee.

“I am honored and privileged to stand here,” Warder said.

She said she owes much to the Soroptimists.

“My beautiful daughter came to me through Soroptimists,” Warder

confided. “A member knew of a pregnant woman willing to give up a

child.”

Sabrina, 11, a fifth grader at Top of the World Elementary School,

attended the luncheon at which her mother was honored.

Warder also introduced domestic violence expert Clecak.

“I have known Vivian for 20 years,” Warder said. “Over 45,000

people have been touched by this woman.”

Although Human Options has moved its facilities to Irvine, it

started in Laguna.

“Soroptimists have been a friend to Human Options since 1981,”

said Clecak.

Human Options shared in the $40,000 the Soroptimists donated

during the year.

Other recipients included the American Assn. of University Women,

Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach, Breast Cancer Angels,

Colombo-American Education Foundation Project, Thanksgiving and

Christmas food certificates and gifts, Laguna Art Museum Docents’

Imagination Celebration Day, and funding for buses for 3rd and 4th

grade museum tours, Wheelchair Foundation, San Clemente Junior

Women’s Club -- Courtney’s Sand Castle Park, La Playa, Laguna Beach

High School Model U.N. and $8,000 in scholarships, Laguna Beach

Little League, Laura’s House, Memorial Day ceremonies, Patriots Day

Parade, two Women’s Opportunity Awards, Soroptimist International

service projects and Project Independence Women Survivors of War, and

the Violet Richardson Award, which was presented this year to student

Kayleigh Dawe.

Kelly Vizolay introduced school board member Jenkins.

“Ever since my children were in school, all I ever heard was Betsy

Jenkins, Betsy Jenkins,” Vizolay said.

Jenkins was an outstanding school district volunteer before she

was elected to the board, as well as participating in other community

activities such as the museum, Friendship Shelter, Laguna Greenbelt

Inc. and eight years as chair of the Charm House Tour.

“I am incredibly honored to be here today with these women that I

have admired and. to look out at the audience and see so many who

could just as easily be up here,” Jenkins said. “The volunteer spirit

is at an all-time high and we are fortunate to live at a time that

honors volunteers.”

Mary Thomson introduced Krach.

“There has not been a time when Chris has not stretched out her

hand to help,” Thomson said.

Krach began volunteering in the school district 20 years ago. Most

recently she has participated as a trustee for the Laguna Beach

Scholarship Foundation and coordinator. She advises the Interact Club

at the high school. Most students know her as the keeper of their

community service hours record to meet graduation requirements.

“I am always amazed to get an award for doing what I love,” Krach

said.

Honoree Schuller was introduced by Soroptimist President D’Anne

Purcilly-Le Bon, with whom she had graduated from Laguna Beach High

School in 1974. They were members of the S Club, sponsored by

Soroptimists at the school.

“I moved to Laguna when I was three,” Schuller said. “Now I have

come full circle, raising my kids here.”

Schuller’s daughter, Christina, and son, Robert “Robie” Schuller

III, entertained at the luncheon. Her husband, the Rev. Robert A.

Schuller (the younger), gave the invocation.

Schuller has written one book, “A Legacy of Success, Building Hope

for Tomorrow,” and expects to publish her second book sometime next

year.

2003 Soroptimist of the Year Ruth Gies led the Pledge of

Allegiance. President-elect Viszolay and Vice President Cathy

Wilkinson chaired the Spring Luncheon, assisted by committee members

Mitchellene Channels, Pam Feldman, Noreen Goodman, Janeen Hamera,

Deborah Somer, Holly Piscopo, Warder, Lindsay, Purcilly-Le Bon and

Thomson.

Donors to the silent auction included Bill’s Flowers of Laguna,

Boomers, Kristalle, English Garden, Festival of Arts, Glen Ivy Hot

Springs, Laguna Playhouse, Inn at Laguna, Javier’s, Laguna Art

Museum, Le Bon Gems, Romero Photography, Ropage, Village Gallery and

Vizolay Gallery.

Special thanks went to Montage Resort and Spa coordinator Cynthia

Dolbee and to the hotel for the donation of a two-night stay to the

opportunity drawing.

“Every one in the club contributed to either the silent auction or

opportunity prizes and also solicited contributions,” Vizolay said.

“Mary and Mitchellene coordinated the donations.”

Laguna Beach High School students Maura McManus, Morgan Olsen,

Kaitlyn Healey and Lauren Conrad earned community service credit by

selling tickets for the prizes.

Among the guests: Theresa O’Hare, K Turner, Bivens Hunt, Dr. Gary

Jenkins, Ellen Harris, Laguna Beach County Water District General

Manager Renae Hinchey, Jan Scherer, jeweler Patti Jo Kirally, Nancy

Bushnell, Cathy Krinski, School District Supt. Theresa Daum, museum

director Bolton Colburn and Jean Stal.

Also: Sue Beck, Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Foundation

member Diane Kloke, Laguna Beach High School Principal Nancy Blade,

school board member Robert Whalen, Anita Walton, Angie Eden and water

exercise buddies Michele Smith, Mahin Ayati, Armande Greiger and

Beverly Longfield.

* OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box

248, Laguna Beach, 92652, hand-deliver to 384 Forest Ave., Suite 22;

call (949) 494-4321 or fax (949) 494-8979.