Irene De La Cruz: Giving thanks to spreaders of goodwill throughout Merced County

My goodness, the end of 2014 is just days away. Looking back at the year, I hope you can say that you have had as great a year as I have.

In recapping a few significant things that have occurred for me, I can’t believe that my husband and I have reached the 40-year mark in our marriage and are still going strong. I figure there’s something we’re doing right.

Also, now in this phase of our life, we’ve been blessed with the company of a unique individual who has added renewed energy and inspiration to our everyday life.

Then, the Merced Sun-Star provided me with an opportunity to write an ongoing column, which is a dream come true for me that I’m very thankful for and hope to continue in 2015. Because of these things that I’ve mentioned above, I feel it has allowed us to be more productive in our community efforts this year.

Looking at Merced County overall, there are individuals who, through their sphere of activity, also continue to be productive and have had an impact on the lives of others this year. They have taken it upon themselves to help restore the meaning of “community,” and they deserve to be mentioned here.

For example, in Dos Palos, Phyllis Legg and her sister Kathleen Fowler do so much for the homeless youth, providing them with as much stability as possible so that they can look forward to a brighter future.

In Delhi, Mireya and Julia Cazares provide a platform for parents to have a voice in the educational system of their children through the Delhi Parent Group. There’s Francisca Briones and Jesus Rodriguez, also of Delhi, who head the Community Unity organization and provide residents with resources and awareness through an annual multicultural festival and a health fair. Stella Estrada continues to be a tremendous support and advocate for the community, too.

Santa Nella has individuals like Pat Ramos-Anderson, who is a leader in helping provide residents with an insight into what can be accomplished through civic engagement.

In the neighboring city of Los Banos, Leah Hernandez, Baldo Salcido, pastor Steve Hammond, pastor Felix Jenkins, Pat Hernandez, Irma Cerda, pastor Phil Jenkins, Maria Antuñez, Felix Lopez, Valentina Mascorro and others continue to promote higher education for youth through venues such as the annual youth leadership conference for both youth and parents. They are at the forefront of positive change for their community.

Merced has its heroes like See Lee, Renee Davenport, Fernando Aguilera, Kit Chang, Ge Thao, Carlos Fuentes, Sam and Rosa Rangel, Nellie McGarry, Maria, Virginia and Andrea Vega and their families, Loretta Spence, MaryAnn McKissick, John Carlisle, Dennis and Toni Haines, Sal and Gloria Sandoval, Octavio Valencia, pastor Rudy Sanchez and many others who keep giving their time and effort.

The city of Atwater has an advantage with individuals like Joe Hoffar, Julio Sandoval, Sylvia Bullock, Esther Valencia and former police Chief Richard Hawthorne, just to name a few, who are committed and dedicated to the community. Next door in the community of Winton, Sal Walle and Michelle Allison can be added to the list of doers.

Little ol’ Stevinson and the city of Gustine, small communities that they are, have longtime resident Al Romero, who has contributed significantly, and Irene Gomes and Dennis Brazil, respectively who are great advocates and proud residents of their city.

Individuals from the communities of Planada and Le Grand who stand out because they continue making strides toward the betterment of the community include Planada’s Angie Gonzalez, Olga Perez, Lucinda and John Martinez, Jon Esquivel, Maria Rodriguez, Carolina Arceo, Maria Cuevas and the group of Familias Unidas. In Le Grand there’s Vicky Banagas, Ben and Debra Esquivel, Alicia Rodriguez, Jim Tesone, and Jeff and Stephanie Marchini.

In Livingston, we have Julio Valadez, who puts on the popular Kite Festival and brought back the Fourth of July observance. Rodrigo Espinoza and Tony Silva are always there to lend a hand wherever there’s a need within the community.

All of these individuals I have mentioned are only a partial list of many others who have been spreading good will in the past and continued to do that this year. They do it for unselfish reasons to help sustain a healthy and safe community.

So as we close out the year and welcome in the new one, I urge you to try to focus on the positive rather than the negative. Stop and think about other individuals who contribute. I’m sure you can think of others I haven’t mentioned here. And I’m not even including all the nonprofit organizations that serve our communities.

Look at how you can make a difference on a personal level and as a member of your community. It’s up to each and every one of us to do just a little bit, and that little bit goes a long way.

In 2015 it’s crucial to continue the work in the community that others have maintained as well as support new efforts that were begun this year. Set your goals for 2015 and make one of them a commitment to give back to your community in one way or another. It does make a difference.

This story was originally published December 25, 2014 at 7:22 PM with the headline "Irene De La Cruz: Giving thanks to spreaders of goodwill throughout Merced County."