Susan G. Komen Orange County®recognized outstanding volunteers and Race for the Cure®team captains at its 2013 Volunteer & Team Captain Appreciation Reception Tuesday night at Medieval Times in Buena Park. Remarkable individuals and volunteer groups throughout Orange County were acknowledged in eight inspirational categories for their hard work and dedication in helping the Komen Orange County Affiliate advance its mission toward finding a cure for breast cancer. In addition, the Affiliate recognized its top 25 Race for the Cure teams who collectively raised more than $400,000 this year.
Volunteers, team captains, and their families gathered to celebrate the more than 30,000 hours of in-kind support the Affiliate received over the past year. Volunteers assist Komen Orange County in a variety of functions, including the annual Race for the Cure, serving on the Pink Tie Ball event committee, providing administrative office support, research advocacy and as part of the Speakers Bureau. Race for the Cure team captains are also vital to the success of the Affiliate’s fundraising efforts.
“I am humbled by and grateful for the consummate dedication our volunteers and team captains demonstrate, which has helped us to reach so many significant milestones for nearly two and half decades,” said Lisa Wolter, executive director of Komen Orange County. “Each volunteer and team captain should be extremely proud of the work that he/she contributed to the expansion of breast health services, initiatives and research in Orange County.”
Awards were presented to the following:
Barbara Purks of Huntington Beach received the Komen Warrior Award.Purks has remained a dedicated and active member of Komen Orange County for more than 20 years since her Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority became national sponsor for the Race for the Cure. She’s been involved in many aspects of the Komen organization, attending every Race for the Cure event since 1992, and has held the titles of Komen Orange County board member, Race committee member and Volunteer committee member. In 1999, Purks was Komen Orange County’s Volunteer of the Year.
The Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award went to: Victoria Hultquist of Orange. This award is given to an individual 21 years old or younger who has made a positive impact on the Orange County Affiliate. As the daughter of a breast cancer survivor, Hultquist has been actively involved in many aspects of Race for the Cure for several years and was videotaped with her sisters for last year’s Race for the Cure PSA. Hultquist also has started to raise awareness at her former El Modena High School by starting the Pink Ribbon Club. Last year during Breast Cancer Awareness month, she purchased pink shoe laces and ribbon stickers for the football team to show its support.
The Outstanding New Volunteer of the Year went to Tustin resident Cory Holmes. Although Holmes has been a volunteer for less than a year, his effect on the organization has been resounding. The son of a breast cancer survivor, Holmes has brought tremendous passion and positivity to the organization. His customized car – from hood to wheels in support of Komen – can be seen around Orange County with an eye-catching window decal that reads, “Real Men Wear Pink.” Holmes and his family are also active participants in the annual Race for the Cure and were participants in this year’s “Race Inspired” campaign.
Orange resident David Hultquist took home the Heavy Lifter: Award.This award is presented to someone who works hard, does a dirty job, sweats bullets and moves mountains for Komen.Hultquist has been volunteering his manpower at Komen for more than four years, helping set up and break down several Komen events, including the annual Survivor Appreciation. At last year’s Race for the Cure, he took his heavy lifting to another level when he volunteered to man the forklift throughout the weekend. He volunteers his time and effort all in support of his wife Rebecca.
The Volunteer of the Year honor went to: Kim Pechar of Irvine. Pechar has been an active member of the Affiliate for more than six years. She truly embraces the core values of Komen and has been a positive role model and agent of change. She has worked tirelessly to increase support for the Pink Tie Ball through her committee membership, which raises approximately $400,000 per year.
Costa Mesa’s Orange Coast College School of Photography picked up the Outstanding Volunteer Group Award.For every Komen event, large or small, The Orange Coast College School of Photography (OCCSP) donates its time, resources and excellent photography skills to capturing every individual and heartfelt moment. Each year, OCCSP provides more than 15 photographers for Komen Orange County’s Race for the Cure. Its support allows Komen Orange County to visually spread its message and gain further support for the mission in the community.
The Promise of One Award went to Laguna Nigel resident Dennis Parks. Parks was selected for the Promise of One Award, selected by the Volunteer Committee in conjunction with the Board President and Executive Director, for his exceptional contributions to the Affiliate. As COO of WalkStyles, Parks has been an advocate and volunteer for Komen Orange County with his wife Sue Parks, a Komen Orange County board member, for more than six years. This year, Parks was named a Pink Tie Guy, an “exclusive club” recognizing seven businessmen each year as advocates for Komen’s breast health mission. In 2013, he also took over leadership of the Reds, Whites and Greens golf tournament, one of Komen Orange County’s most successful third party events, netting $115,000 for Komen.
Finally, the Partner for the Cure honor went to Dan Van Dyck, Cardiff, and Mike Muir of San Clemente. Van Dyck and Muir are co-creators of Standup for the Cure, the signature fundraising event in the standup paddling world that brings together superstars and super brands to raise money for Komen. The second annual event earlier this year raised $100,000 for Komen Orange County. Van Dyck and Muir’s partnership with Standup for the Cure founder Judie Vivian has been instrumental in the success of the event.
The Affiliate also honored its top Race for the Cure teams for the 2013 Komen Orange County Race for the Cure. There were 672 total Race teams, raising nearly $800,000, which amounts to 40 percent of the overall fundraising effort. The top five teams were ADP, Experian, Team PIMCO, Dana West Yacht Club Shipmates and Ingram Micro.
“As we persistently strive to reach our common mission of finding a cure for breast cancer, volunteers and those who are committed to our Race efforts are crucial in future advancement,” said Lynn Jolliffe, board president of Komen Orange County. “I extend my overwhelming appreciation for the selfless dedication to the Komen Orange County Affiliate.”
