Anne Banning Award

Irene Muzio

May 2025

Irene Muzio has been a member volunteer for the chapter for more than eight years. In that time, she has served in various roles and Board positions, most notably as chapter President (2022/2023). Irene is our star marketing person and recently was appointed to serve as our Marketing Chairman. For at least the last five years Irene has nearly single-handedly created the layout, format and production of the multi-page tour & ticket and booklets for our two major fundraisers. The creation of these booklets for the Gardens of the Hills and Homes for the Holidays represent an immense opportunity to showcase our nonprofit organization to the local community. Irene frequently steps up to
volunteer or take on a task whenever she sees something that needs doing. She
models key leadership qualities necessary to help us succeed. The chapter is proud to
present the Anne Banning Award to Irene Muzio.

Ada Edwards Laughlin Award

Carol Kovak

May 2025

The Ada Edwards Laughlin  award is a national level recognition given to someone who has been a member for a considerable number of years and has given outstanding behind the scenes service. We are honored to recognize Carol Kovak for the quiet support she gives to all of us.

ABOVE AND BEYOND AWARD

Bonni Bergstrom

May 2025

Over the last year, Bonni has led the Finance Committee with great distinction. As Committee Chair, she has revitalized the group, guided the Committee’s deliberations for our FY 2024-25 and 2025-26 budgets, and led the establishment of reserve and investment policies for the chapter. As a result, our chapter is in a better position to generate greater financial returns to benefit our programs and to sustain our operations if we are faced with adverse external issues. Bonni has truly gone “Above and Beyond” to ensure our future success!

ABOVE AND BEYOND AWARD

Irene Muzio

January 2025

Irene is a huge part of Marketing, she is on the Finance Committee, she attends fund raising meetings and also proof reads and edits grants. She reads the financial statements and asks questions when needed and also volunteers for every fund raising event. She attends extra functions to promote our cause and probably does much more than I’m aware of.. She goes way above and beyond in her commitment to Assistance League!

ABOVE AND BEYOND AWARD

Julie Quinn

September 2024

Julie operates behind the scenes to edit our chapter’s major public-facing marketing materials. She spends hours making sure that we present a professional face worthy of the community’s support.

ABOVE AND BEYOND AWARD

Lynne Klyse

September 2024

Lynne operates behind the scenes to edit our chapter’s major public-facing marketing materials. She spends hours making sure that we present a professional face worthy of the community’s support.

ABOVE AND BEYOND AWARD

Pat Wendt

April 2023

As our Parliamentarian, Pat Wendt, is responsible for the task of drafting all the changes to our bylaws and standing rules. She worked effectively with board member to coordinate the updates, changes and revisions. She worked behind the scenes diligently putting in countless hours (nearly 100+ hours) on this huge task. “Pat doesn’t look for recognition and that is all the more reason why she should receive acknowledgement for her efforts. Pat helped with a major rewrite and overhaul of our chapter bylaws and standing rules this last year. She truly did go “Above and Beyond” to ensure what we needed to do was accomplished in a detailed and thorough manner!”

ANNE BANNING AWARD

Allie Chappell

January 2023

Allie is a long-term and dedicated member who has held her most recent position as Finance Chairman for a number of years. Our chapter has reaped the benefit of her wisdom, experience and knowledge in the fiscal, tax and accounting arena and it is with great appreciation that she is awarded the Anne Banning Leadership Award.

ADA EDWARDS

Sue Nelson

January 2023

Sue has diligently and with dedication devoted time to our chapter. She especially focused on the area of Marketing and Communication for a number of years. Former member, Barbara Brown, may have said it best when she spoke of Sue’s enthusiasm and energy and the way she helped developed a comprehensive marketing, communications and social media program for the chapter to help us grow. Sue provided the ultimate in organization and information-flow for our events with her talent and skill. In recognition of her wonderful efforts the chapter awarded Sue Nelson with the Ada Edwards Laughlin Award.

2021 Anne Banning Leadership Award

Carol Kovak, Technology Chairman

Carol Kovak was celebrated by Assistance League of Sierra Foothills members for her leadership and kindness.

Assistance League Sierra Foothills held its first Zoom meeting of the year Jan. 27, during which Carol Kovak, a well-deserving member who has held several leadership positions in the organization, was awarded the Anne Banning Leadership Award for her exemplary contributions.
The Anne Banning Leadership Award is named for Anne Banning, founder of Assistance League.

The award demonstrates the importance of leadership to the chapter and communicates the accomplishments and dedication of the recipient.

The first to congratulate the recipient was current President Vera Doettling, who praised Kovak’s skills as an efficient, innovative, inclusive and superior teacher.

Other members spoke of Kovak’s professionalism, ability to lead by example and quickness to do whatever is asked of her. Her kindness in being a mentor to many and always being available to answer questions and give advice were other examples given of her leadership skills.

Carol Kovak is a past president of Assistance League Sierra Foothills. She currently serves an important and innovative role for the chapter as technology chairman and parliamentarian.

2019 Anne Banning and Ada Edwards Award

Vera Doettling, Strategic Planning Chairman

Vera Doettling a member of Assistance League Sierra Foothills in El Dorado County, California was awarded both the Ann Banning and Ada Edwards Laughlin awards at our holiday luncheon by our Education Chairman, Sharon Rondone presented these awards based on her strong leadership and behind the scenes assistance in volunteering since 2012. Vera has served as VP of Resource, VP of Philanthropy, Education Chairman, President-elect, President, and currently Strategic Planning Chairman. Vera has reached out to members in the community to help our chapter in so many ways and has been a valuable mentor to current and future leaders in the chapter. She also developed our Grant Program and Guidestar program. With her guidance, we are now at the Platinum Guidestar level. Two of her favorite phrases are:  ” This too will pass and We will carry on”.  Congratulations Vera Doettling!

CIRCLE PIN AWARD HONOREE

Sharleen Roth

January 2021

Sharleen joined the Marketing Committee to write articles for publications in El Dorado County.  Her talent of sharing key communications about programs, events and volunteer members has brought the community closer to our chapter through donations and participation in our fundraisers. By targeting a variety of local publications, she’s able to keep it fresh, current and relevant!   We are so fortunate to have her on the team!

CIRCLE PIN AWARD HONOREE

Mary Beth Todd

January 2021

Mary Beth is a key member of the Grants Committee.  Her energy and attention to detail leaves no stone unturned to bring in the new grants so desperately needed to our chapter.  Her ability to research, write and submit grants raised the bar for this team.  This past year was a challenge due to COVID restrictions, fundraisers were limited and the Grants Committee stepped up and help to bridge the divide.  This was no small feat, Mary Beth took charge and found grant opportunities for our chapter to receive!

CIRCLE PIN AWARD HONOREE

Myrium Kan

February 2021

Myrium joined the Operation School Bell® Program team this past year to take on a Regional Leadership role. Working closely with schools to provide registration opportunities, sending letters and delivering clothing to schools for students who could not pick up clothes at the event, demonstrated her willingness to take on tasks with a “can-do” attitude.   She doesn’t limit herself either, she quickly raises her hand to support other chapter activities – fundraisers,  boutiques and raffles.  Her fellow volunteers really enjoy working with her as her enthusiasm is catchy!

CIRCLE PIN AWARD HONOREE

Deanna Souther

August 2020

Deanna is a key contributor to the Technology committee.  She goes above and beyond to provide innovative solutions for our chapter success.  She works closely with our National technical team and technology committee to design an implement tools that make us work smarter and more efficient.  And most of all, she always does this with a smile and great enthusiasm!

CIRCLE PIN AWARD HONOREE

Denise McLemore

October 2020

Denise rises to all occasions.  Regardless of personal challenges, she readily volunteers to help our chapter succeed.  She makes every task look simple because she takes ownership for making them happen. She is a valuable member of the Resource Committee.

CIRCLE PIN AWARD HONOREE 

Stacey Rogers

October 2019

Stacey Rogers is one of our most energetic chapter volunteers. As Hospitality Chairman, Stacey commutes from Camino each month to open up our meeting facility and together with her outstanding committee sets up the room and provides all the snacks and monthly decorations for the meeting.  She is both a volunteer and volunteer leader in our Senior Multi-Interest Leisure Enrichment Program as known as S.M.I.L.E.  providing Gold Country Residential seniors with enjoyable craft projects or coming just to assist them to complete.   As a long time member of the Books and Beyond program where she has helped many students comprehend their reading, she is now Chairman of that wonderful 30 plus committee.  The Books and Beyond Program has a warm spot in all of our members hearts; Stacey is carrying on the light of literacy to students to raise both their confidence and reading comprehension.  Thank you Stacey for all you do!

CIRCLE PIN AWARD HONOREE 

Sharon Booth

September 2019

Sharon initially became aware of the Assistance League through her friend and neighbor Harriet Knops.  She was inspired by the dedication of this hard-working group of women making a difference in our community, so decided to become a part of the organization 8 years ago.   She is a long-standing member of both the Philanthropic and OSB committees, and in the past, a member of Sports Locker.  She has been a store leader for OSB and a captain for both the Garden and Holiday Home Tours.   Her most rewarding achievement to our chapter is that she researched, developed and implemented the Senior Multi-Interest Leisure Enrichment Program also known as S.M.I.L.E., which she has chaired since its inception.  Since becoming a member, she has actively been a part of Senior Shopping, as well as serving in both Chair and Co-Chair capacities.

CIRCLE PIN AWARD HONOREE 

Sue Nelson

August 2019

Sue has been a member of Assistance League Sierra Foothills for over 3 ½ years and has served in the following capacity:  Marketing Chair 2017-2018 fiscal year and also shared this position with her predecessor, Barbara Brown in 2018-2019.  Sue took marketing to the next level by organizing marketing with reference files, she connected our chapter to a local social media outlet, Nextdoor.com and was the publisher of the ALSF Newsletter Fall 2017 to Spring 2019.  Sues love of photography provided us with chapter event and activity photos over the past 3 years.  Together with the grant committee, Sue was instrumental in creating a grants manual to standardize and allow for new committee members to take on roles.   She is a regular participant in our OSB events and on our Resource committee.  Most notable, is her Resource committee contribution to the 2019 Mad Hatter Tea party to ensure it was a special event to be remembered in ALSF history.  Sue’s top skill and why she has been able to do the above: she is a meticulous organizer!

Circle Pin Award   November 2018

Presented by Susan Tyler to Cindy Sample. As a well-known author, writing The Diamond series books, she donated a diamond to help ALSF raise funds for Operation School Bell. She also remained active while receiving chemotherapy. Thank you, Cindy, for your dedication!

Ann Banning Award  December 2018 

Julie Quinn, ALSF President, presented Harriet Knops with the Ann Banning Award for Leadership at the 2018 December Christmas luncheon.  Harriet is recognized for developing and implementing National Assistance League’s signature program, Operation School Bell® within our chapter and for her undaunted commitment to its success over the past ten years.

Circle Pin Award    February 2019   

President Julie Quinn presented Carole Miller the Circle Pin award for her achievement in developing Assistance League Sierra Foothills Books and Beyond program and for her continued dedication to this vital program.

In recognition for her service as Treasurer, Finance Manager and dedicated volunteer to Assistance League Sierra Foothills, ALLIE CHAPPELL received the members appreciation award.

Picture from L>R    Susan Tyler, sitting Allie Chappell, Diane Bradford

CIRCLE PIN AWARD HONOREE

Debbie McClenahan, V.P. Resource Development

March 2017

Debbie joined our chapter in 2012. Since then, she has not passed up the opportunity to assist, support, contribute and lead. She has unlimited energy, a can-do spirit combined with a fearless brand of creativity. As a relatively new member, she assumed a major leadership position, knowing that there would be learning as you go. In doing so, she understood how to relate to new members joining committees, providing specifics and guidance as needed when making a request or assigning a task. Members have expressed their appreciation of this style of leadership, because it provides a level of confidence toward a successful task completion and willingness to volunteer again. Using a forward thinking prospective, this member also has initiated innovative ways to increase our earnings, continuing the most successful strategies while retiring the less successful.

ADA EDWARDS LAUGHLIN NOMINEE 

Barbara Brown, Marketing Communications Chairman

October 2016

In our chapter’s infancy beginning in 2008, Barbara initiated the concept of staying in touch with all our members. Since then, she has worked tirelessly in front of and behind the scenes to make Assistance League of Sierra Foothills a household name, often serving as our visionary.

Barbara has left our membership in awe of her energy and problem-solving ability as well as her “can-do” spirit. She has accepted and perfected new challenges often having little experience for the task at hand. Somehow, this woman has found ways to perfect the required skills. She has supported the President/Board in achieving chapter successes.

Her sense of style and display to our fundraising events, often going beyond expectation … an inspiration for others to follow.  Barbara was presented with the Ada Edwards Laughlin Award Recognition and framed certificate. Her name is the first to appear on this plaque where names of future honorees will appear.

CIRCLE PIN AWARD HONOREE 

Judy Meagles

June 2016

As a relatively new member, Judy has enthusiastically embraced our programs and fundraising events. This creative artist is well known in the United States and Asia for her contemporary ink painting. She has used these skills to create and direct table decorations at our fundraising events and for leading creative activities for the S.M.I.L.E. Committee activities. Judy’s two professional and philanthropically minded daughters have each been behind the scenes donors to our fundraisers and in a public recognition of our chapter.