The Valley Women’s Club created the “SLV Volunteer of the Year Award” in 1987 to honor Mary Hammer and Annette Marcum. In the ensuing years, the Award became “The Hammer-Marcum Award,” in honor or these two women who have since continued to give thousands of hours of their time, creativity and hard work to improve the quality of life and well-being of the San Lorenzo Valley. Since 1987, 43 amazing people have been honored with the Award. (see list below)

It is expected that the honorees for the 2013 Hammer-Marcum Award, as in the past, will represent the interests and concerns that epitomize the San Lorenzo Valley community. From our neighbors-helping-neighbors ideal, the meaning of our history and the value of its local businesses, to the vital importance of educating our youth and the community at large, and the vital need to understand and protect the environment, this Award recognizes the value of individual volunteer effort.

Showing they recognize and honor these people, our government representatives will join in the Celebration in their honor.  Congress Member Anna Eshoo is sending special recognition.  State Senator Bill Monning, State Assembly Member Mark Stone, along with our 5^th District Supervisor Bruce McPherson, are planning to make presentations to honor the 2013 recipients.

To add to the special nature of the celebration, will be an additional tribute to 1998 Hammer Marcum Honoree, Shirlee Byrd, who will be recognized for her decades of dedication to the Arts, as she retires from Santa Cruz County Arts Commission after ten years of service.

Reservations are being accepted for the Sunday, October 27th Award presentation, at 1:30 pm at the Highlands Park Senior Center in Ben Lomond. Call for reservations (Nancy at 338-6578), or email nbbm@cruzio.com, or mail in $12 to the Valley Women’s Club, PO Box 574, Ben Lomond, 95005. You’ll enjoy the wonderful desserts of Jeri and Bruce Oneto, music by Steve Abrams, bountiful flowers from Camp Joy Farm, and an exciting celebration of the Awardees. (Watch for the announcement of the recipients in the VWC’s October e-Newsletter.)

Recipients of Hammer-Marcum Award:

1987:  The Defining Moment:

             Annette Marcum & Mary Hammer

1988:  Ann Gulliver

            Nancy Macy

1989:  Susan Mihalik

            Ed Butler

1990:  Gail McCormick

            Nancy Carlson

1991:  Su Haynes

            Cindy Pocius

1992:  Sheila DeLany

            Vera Wilder

1993:  Mary Cushing

            Diana & Peter Troxell

1994:  Ann Wise

            Betsy Herbert

1995:  no event

1996:  Judy Darnell

            Fred McPherson

1997:  Al Haynes

            Robbie & Dave Allen

1998: Year of the Artist

            Kathie Kratochvil,

Marylynn Painter

            Laurie & Dan Hennig

Shirlee Byrd

1999:  no event

2000:  Linda Lovelace

            Jim and Jane Keeffe

2001:  Jim Nelson

            Pam Falke-Krueger

2002:  no event (now officially biannually)

2003  Jay Baker

Julie Hendriks & Larry Prather

2004:  no event

2005: Frank and Frances Adamson

            Carol McQuillin 

2006: no event

2007:  Kevin Collins & Mary Jo Walker

            Jenna Collier

2009: Jane Hurlbut

            Donna Ziel

2011: Karin Ann Park

           Terry Umstead