Volunteers, Bruce Jenner recognized at Beach Cities Health District breakfast
Beach Cities Health District Legacy Award honoree Pat Dreizler (seated, right) with (standing left to right) Assemblyman David Hadley, Fourth District Supervisorial candidate Mike Gin, Dana, Sarah and Robin Dreisler and BCHD CEO Susan Burden. Photo
Ten years ago, 1976 Olympic decathlon gold medalist Bruce Jenner, known today as Caitlyn, was the keynote speaker at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Beach Cities Health District.
That bit of history wasn’t in the chronology of the health district prepared for its 60th anniversary celebration Saturday morning at the Redondo Crowne Plaza. But emcee Walt Dougher, a former Manhattan Beach mayor and health district board member, couldn’t resist recalling Jenner’s appearance, adding that he is awaiting a call from the Kardashians.
Beach Cities Health District president Vanessa Poster accepts a proclamation from Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe representative Steve Napolitano. Looking on is emcee Walt Dougher. Photos
A second former Manhattan Beach mayor to address the more than 600 health district volunteers who were honored at the breakfast was Steve Napolitan.
Napolitano was representing Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, whom Napolitano is campaigning to replace when Knabe is termed out next year.
Legacy Award recipient Pat Dreisler (seated) with board members Jane Diehl, Michelle Anne Bholat and Vanessa Poster.
Napolitano noted that he was born in the health district’s former hospital 49 years ago and that four years later the hospital saved the life of his father, who had suffered a heart attack at age 40. His dad is now a healthy 88, Napolitano said.
State Assemblyman David Hadley, dressed in a T-short and shorts, promised to put the “beach” back in Beach Cities Health District. He presented a state proclamation to board president Vanessa Poster.
The breakfast was dedicated to former district board member Robert Grossman who died two months ago at age 67. Board member Michelle Anne Bholat recalled the cardiologist as a strong advocate of senior health services.
Partner in Health honoree Marna Smeltzer and Blue Zones Project honoree Charlotte Lesser.
After South Bay Hospital closed in the mid 1990s the health district changed its focus from “healing to keeping people healthy” health district CEO Susan Burden told the audience. The district is now one of the largest health agencies in the country, she said.
Its 2015 annual report lists income of $11.3 million, of which $3 million comes from property taxes. The balance comes from lease revenues ($2.9 million), fitness programs ($2.4 million), and partnerships ($1.9 million).
Fitness programs and finance and revenue generation (both $2.8 million) are listed at the largest expenses. Other expenses included youth services ($1.5 million), community services ($2.2 million) and Blue Zones projects ($1.1 million).
The district’s physical and social programs range from walking school buses and gardening for school kids to conversation companions and errand runners for homebound seniors.
“These programs would not be possible without our 600 volunteers, who contribute almost 35,000 hours of services each year,” Board president Vanessa Poster told the audience.
During the breakfast, volunteers were recognized with Partner in Health and Core Value awards.
BCHD’s Eric Garner and Ali Noller.
Pat Dreizler was presented with the Partner in Health Legacy Award for her half century of volunteer work, including serving on the district board from 1990 to 1998.
Chamber CEO Marna Smeltzer received the Business Award for her early support of the district’s Blue Zones Project. Blue Zones programs include walking school buses, walking adult groups (moais) and encouraging people to enjoy red wine at the end of the day.
Pat Campbell received the Volunteerism Award for helping crochet thousands of lap blankets for terminally ill children and seniors.
Redondo Beach Unified School Board Vice President Anita Avrick, with Redondo superintendent Dr. Steven Keller.
Leslie Friedberg received the Core Value Accountability Award for her work with the LiveWell Kids Program.
Donna Donahue received the Integrity Award for versatility as a volunteer.
Audrey Lin received the Compassion Award, presented by board president Vanessa Poster. Lauren Pizer Mains, representing State Senator Ben Allen, presented Lin with a State proclamation.
Excellence award winner Arnette Travis with board president Vanessa Poster and State Senator Ben Allen representative Lauren Pizer Mains.
Patricia Hernandez received the Teen Award for her work at AdventurePlex.
For more about the Beach Cities Health District, visit BCHD.org. ER
Redondo councilman Jeff Ginsberg, CenterCal public relations director Mickey Marraffino, chamber board member and Redondo councilman Christian Horvath.