Central Coast Award Winners
On April 23 and 24, staff and board members from all five of the Breathe California offices met in Sacramento for the 2010 biennial conference: “Spring Forward with 20/2.0 Vision”.
Breathe California Awards for outstanding contributions to the organization were awarded to Maria Elena Manzo and Bob Carr.
STAFF: Maria Elena Manzo
Maria Elena Manzo, Asthma Educator and Program Coordinator for Breathe California Central Coast has been with the organization since January of 2002. Initially working as the Healthy Homes Coordinator, Maria has been providing in-home asthma education to low income families in Monterey and Salinas. Recently, as Breathe California Central Coast is going through a re-organization, Maria has been extremely helpful and dedicated to seeing the programs continue. Working for awhile from her home, Marie has maintained the in-home asthma education services to needy families and she has expanded her role. This year Maria has participated in training, provided by Breathe CA Bay Area, to enable her to also begin working in tobacco prevention and control and now functions as the overall program coordinator. She has even helped to procure a new offi ce location for the organization in Salinas. Maria Elena is an exemplary employee, committed to serving the community. Beyond her work with Breathe California she co-chaired the founding assembly for Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action, COPA, in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.
VOLUNTEER: Bob Carr
Bob Carr joined the Board in 2001. Formerly the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control Offi ce, he retired that same year. Bob has been a committed board member and volunteered to represent the organization on many levels. While part of the American Lung Association, bob served on the State Board and since the separation, Bob has played a key leadership role for Breathe California Central Coast. He has served as Chairperson since July 2007. He also serves on the Breathe California Government Relations Committee and the Breathe California State Council. This last year, though Breathe Central Coast has been without an executive director, Bob and the Board have helped ensure that the services continue to be provided. The Board has increased its meeting schedule to monthly meetings, and though he had to have surgery this year, and was at times literally flat on his back – Bob chaired and participated in many meetings via phone. More than just serve as chair for meetings, Bob rolls up his sleeves and helps with identifying donor prospects, recruiting new members, following up on advocacy correspondence and much more. True dedication and leadership such as Bob Carr’s are an inspiration to his fellow boa4rd members and staff.
Conference attendees, both staff and volunteers, explored opportunities to expand program successes and to increase the vitality and effectiveness of our individual and collective efforts. Presentations across a wide spectrum of lung-health and environmental issues provided state-of-the-science assessments of the needs and rewards of our mission-driven programs.