The Cupertino Courier

Community

Volunteers are honored for their community work

By Cody Kraatz

Cupertino Recognizes Extra Steps Taken (CREST) Awards were given to Mary Lou Caldwell, Helen Ho, Mary Ellen Hennig and Shawn Poirier at a May 16 ceremony. They received the awards in recognition of their volunteer contributions to the community in 2006.

Mary Lou Caldwell

Caldwell has volunteered at St. Joseph of Cupertino throughout her 47 years in Cupertino. She worked side by side with her husband Dick at many church activities until he died of cancer in 2005, and she continues to help at the church despite such major health problems as diabetes, arthritis and a hip replacement that limit her mobility.

"It's made me cut back on doing things because I don't have the energy anymore," says Caldwell, 72, who nonetheless volunteers as a secretary in the parish office and goes to visit sick friends. Formerly a nurse, she has visited sick and older people at Chateau Cupertino for 18 years. She isn't able to visit as often as she used to.

"I can't remember all their names but I can remember their faces, and I think about them quite often because I enjoy their company. It was very rewarding."

Caldwell has 10 children, all of whom attended St. Joseph of Cupertino School, and 11 grandchildren, five of them students there. She has also been a leader in the Young Ladies Institute, a Catholic women's fundraising organization and support network. "It's called the Young Ladies Institute, but we're all old," says Caldwell.

Helen Ho

Ho has been very active at the Cupertino Senior Center since 2000, organizing language translation at large events and serving on a number of senior center committees.

"This place is the best for me to donate my time and to see some results. I don't think I work very hard. I just do whatever I think I should to make a difference," says Ho, 69. "It's a very good atmosphere there. I'd like to see more seniors participate in activities there, and I'd like to see events for all different ethnic groups."

Ho says bringing people together in the social, educational and multicultural environment of the senior center makes them happier by keeping them out of destructive isolation.

"If there's less boundaries between people, then you can be more happy," she says.

Ho has served on the Changing Demographics Committee, the Special Events Committee and the Host/Hostess Committee, of which she is now the chairwoman.

She came from Hong Kong to the United States in 1961 and earned a master's degree in pharmaceutical chemistry, later working at Stanford University School of Medicine for more than 20 years. She has two children and four grandchildren and reserves every Wednesday for a family get-together.

Mary Ellen Hennig

"I feel that everybody has a real responsibility to care for somebody who is less fortunate than we are. [It's a] real joy and a pleasure to serve and help someone else out," says Mary Ellen Hennig, a 31-year Cupertino resident.

For the past 15 years she has dedicated her time to the Faith in Action Rotating Shelter for Homeless Men sponsored by Cupertino Community Services. The shelter rotates each month among 12 houses of worship in Cupertino to provide homeless men with meals and a place to sleep while they are looking for work.

Hennig lines up the organizations that provide meals each evening; if meals fall through, she is the one who runs out to buy replacements.

"It's kind of a routine. I just look at a calendar and just plug in various organizations willing to bring meals," she says.

Hennig also co-coordinates the rotating shelter with Dick Schumacher when it comes to St. Joseph of Cupertino every July. She lends her piano, organ and singing skills during mass at St. Joseph's, has a reputation for rescuing stray or abused animals and teaches adult English language learners for the Fremont Union High School District 12 hours per week.

Shawn Poirier

St. Joseph of Cupertino School principal Mary Lyons says that Shawn Poirier's positive attitude and enthusiasm were integral in reviving the school's annual Family Fun Festival in 2004. This year he will once again pick up the many pieces of the puzzle that have to link up for the festival to succeed.

"It's a huge operation. I'm the only one that's been on since day one. I love seeing the community come together,'' says Poirier, a south San Jose resident. "I love seeing the smiles on the kids' faces. Nothing compares to it.''

The festival involves about 300 volunteers, 12 amusement rides, 12 game booths, 12 food booths, five jump houses and live entertainment all three days. The fair is set for Sept. 28-30 this year. It is a fundraiser and nets $50,000 to $70,000 in profits annually for the school.

Poirier has two children at St. Joseph's. He drops them off each day on his way to work at the Golden West Collision Center in Sunnyvale.