Page 6 December 17, 2015 TORRANCE TRIBUNE Story and photos by TerriAnn Ferren Within the city of Torrance, there are buildings named for very special citizens. For example, there is the Dee Hardison Sports Center on Crenshaw, the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library on Torrance Boulevard, the James A. Armstrong Theatre, George Nakano Theatre, and the Stanley E. Remelmeyer Telecommunications building at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, and the Ken Miller Recreation Auditorium behind the Victor E. Benstead Plunge, just to name a few. All of these particular buildings were named in honor of special citizens for their outstanding, unselfish commitment to the community. Many buildings around Torrance are named for exceptional people, and one more has just been added to the list; The Volunteer Center at 1230 Cravens, will now be known as the De De Hicks Building. As of December 31, 2015, De De Hicks will step down as President and CEO after nearly 30 dedicated years at the helm of the non-profit Volunteer Center, located in downtown Torrance. Growing the Volunteer Center from a $136,000 venture to a 2,000,000 operation, De De has succeeded, along with her staff, to help the most vulnerable among us, offering aid and assistance unceasingly. (See Torrance Tribune, June 4, 2015, A Legend and More.) De De has received countless honors throughout her career including; the H.E.L.P. Vanguard award in 2014, The Status of Women AAUW Award in 2013, the ‘Shero’ Award/ NAACP Award in 2013, the Citizen of the Year - Palos Verdes Peninsula Lions Club in 2009, the Magnificent Woman Award in 1999, the South Bay Woman of the Year Award in 2002, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Citizen of the Year Award in 1987, the YWCA Woman of the Year in 1986, the Katy Geissert Volunteerism Award in 2006, and many, many others. But you would never know that to meet her, because she never talks about her awards or accomplishments. Her conversation invariably always surrounds her work and others. Last week, I drove into downtown Torrance and parked in the beautifully landscaped parking lot beside the ‘De De Hicks Building’, which is the Volunteer Center. Her name painted on the second story of the building looked like it had always been there. It was meant to be there. As I looked up at the lettering on the historic building, I smiled. Walking up the three steps into the Volunteer Center, I heard lovely music by John Brunac and smelled the delectable hors d oeuvres’ by Jean Cordero, from Entertaining Friends. It was a party honoring De De Hicks for nearly 30 years of service as President and CEO of the Volunteer Center. But more than that, it was to unveil the new name of the building. I asked De De how she felt about the naming of the building after her and after a pause, very humbly told me, “It is the nicest thing that people could have done. I am absolutely in a state of shock that this beautiful thing was done for me. It isn’t one person that does this - it is all the community. It is big group of people and friends. I am just the luckiest person in the world.” Vice Chairman of the Board, Jennifer Goldstein told me, “I have been on the board of the Volunteer Center for about 8 years and I think it is the most wonderful organization in the South Bay, in the different charities we serve. I am very proud to be on the board.” Associate Director of the Volunteer Center, Sherry Saacke said, “I have been at the Volunteer Center for 24 years working with De The De De Hicks Building - The Volunteer Center. De and it has gone by very, very fast. I have done a lot of different projects and programs and am proud to have been here all this time. I am especially proud to have worked with Jennifer Goldstein and Sherry Saacke. De De. She deserves it [the naming of the building] because the Volunteer Center is all about De De.” I spoke with Michelle Dominguez, Norma Cross, Sara Myers, (who is the new President and CEO of the Volunteer Center) and Lorrie Sato, who all commented that the naming of the Volunteer Center to the De De Hicks Building was a natural. Lea Ann King, Russ and Charlotte Lesser, Jennifer Goldstein, and Steve Napolitano, Senior Deputy to Supervisor Don Knabe, (who is also running for the post), posed for pictures as the celebration continued. Vice President of Communication and Corporate Services of Keenan and Associates, Raydella Lewis, who has been with Keenan for 34 years said, “John Keenan put a legacy in place and he always said if we take care of the customers, then he would take care of us and he always has. He [John Keenan] passed away 1 year ago and he always endorsed us giving back to the community.” Michelle Dominguez, who has been working for Keenan and Associates for 5 years told me, “Our company has a history of being involved in the community and doing as much as we can to give back. John Keenan, the founder of Keenan and Associates, started that - and we inherited that vision, to reach out and help the community. Our company pays us 2 full days a year to volunteer at any non-profit organization. It has been very rewarding to volunteer our time and not worry about missing work.” What was heartwarming in this group was the number of generous, unselfish people who give of their time, talent, and treasure. Jane Jones, Pam Barrett-Hill, and Kelly Curtis echoed all the comments I had heard throughout the evening. Everyone agreed that the Volunteer Center is De De Hicks. She is leaving a legacy of love. Steve Napolitano added, “It is wonderful. It is right at the right time. She has established such an incredible legacy here and it is the right thing to do and I am so glad the board did it.” As I left the celebration, I looked up at the front of the De De Hicks Building one last time, and smiled. De De Hicks has become a member of a very elite group of remarkable citizens who have accomplished great things in Torrance, so much so, that she now has a building named after her. Well done, De De. Your unselfishness and incomparable integrity are justly honored. Congratulations! • TerriAnn in Torrance A Building for De De Hicks De De Hicks Michelle Dominguez and Jean Adelsman. Michelle Dominguez, Norma Cross, Sara Myers, and Lorrie Sato. Lea Ann King, Russ Lesser, Charlotte Lesser, De De Hicks, Jennifer Goldstein, Steve Napolitano.
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