To all of the wonderful people I call friends in SCV

 29 years ago, I was transferred with my job to Los Angeles. I didn’t know a soul and lived in Oakwood Apartments in Burbank until I discovered this wonderful community. In November of 1989 I moved up to Valencia and since my work was in downtown LA, I contacted the city volunteer coordinator, Carol Rock, to find out how I could get involved with the city. Carol suggested I help with Concerts in the Park every Sunday evening at a different park in Santa Clarita. What a great way to learn my way around and enjoy the family parks in the various areas. At the parks, I started to see and meet the same people, such as the Del’s Lemonade Truck owned by Al and Sue Hayward. The Haywards were also new to the community and they went to every concert in the park throughout the summer. Carol introduced me to a lovely lady, Mary Spring, who was president of Zonta, a worldwide organization whose mission was to improve the status of women and young girls world-wide. Meeting the women in Zonta opened doors and opportunities to volunteer that I had never known. Some of the first women I met and got me involved were Barbara Cochran, Pat Allen, Jami Kennedy, Adele Macpherson, Lois Bauccio, Cheryl Gray, Pat Warford, Sue Hayward and the list goes on. They got me involved in the senior center, the wine auction, the Boys and Girls Club, Domestic Violence Center, at that time it was referred to as AAVDV and many prominent members of the community were in involved such as Betty Burke Oldfield, Gloria and Bruce Fortine and Sue Hayward. I heard about an angel that was starting a local breast cancer non-profit called Circle of Hope. The idea was to offer financial support for women uninsured or underinsured working, living or having treatment in SCV. Colleen Shaffer welcomed me to her small board and that was over 13 years ago. The COC performing arts center was built and I couldn’t wait to volunteer and have been doing so all these years. I was invited on the WISH education Foundation board which is an outstanding working board that does so much to help to provide funds for the teachers by fundraising events such as Cocktails on the Roof and Wine on the Roof. Assistance League was another great non-profit I was involved in for many years as well as Child and Family Auxiliary. In my spare time, I did Medicare Counseling known as HICAP for people turning 65.
My life has been filled with joy helping others less fortunate and it has been an honor and privilege to live in Santa Clarita. One of my greatest awards was in 2008 when I was selected for SCV Woman of the Year and in 2018 Assemblyman Dante Acosta bestowed the outstanding award of Woman of Distinction of District 38.
All the wonderful awards, certificates and commendations are packed away but they will be displayed in our new home in Arizona. I will never forget the wonderful friends that make up this small-town warmth-of love and compassion. Santa Clarita will always have a special place in my heart.
Thank you,
-Judy Penman

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