Volunteer Par Excellence: Sam Harding

Editor's Note: The 29th Annual Joint Community Service Volunteer Awards gave public and lavish recognition for nine individuals who were chosen from scores of nominations. The strong ethos of volunteerism in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills is what many credit as the thing that makes the communities so strong.

 isn't adequate for nine people who have quietly made big contributions over years. So, throughout the coming days, we are reprinting the text from the introductions made for each individual at the Dec. 2, 2011 awards event.

Los Altos Rotary Club member Dennis Young introduced Sam Harding in his introductory remarks below.

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It is my honor to introduce the next recipient of this award.

This awardee moved to Los Altos almost forty years ago and started his business here. He and his wife raised their family here in Los Altos, and as the boys grew up, he coached soccer, basketball and baseball for several seasons … but that wasn't enough. He stepped up and served as President of Los Altos Little League and was head of AYSO youth soccer.

As he became more involved with the community he joined Los Altos Rotary and has served as head of the Fine Art in the Park event (next May 19 and 20, 2012— don't forget) as well as serving as club president. He is a leader as well as a volunteer and served as chair of the .

He is a volunteer and Founder with Los Altos Community Foundation, has been a PNG volunteer at Almond School for the past ten years, and, oh yes, as a Vietnam veteran he has also has volunteered at the .

I could go on, but let me read excerpts from two of the letters of support for this awardee.

From Monique Kane at CHAC: "He is such a giver in our community. He is kind, caring, smart, most helpful and always willing to go the extra mile."

From the El Camino YMCA: "If you look up 'community volunteer' in the dictionary, there should be a picture of him as the definition."

The adjectives they used are, "available," "thoughtful," "caring," "giving" and "always, always willing to do whatever is asked of him." They said, 'We would like a dozen more.'

This awardee has served on the boards of these community organizations for many years and continues to serve them and our community.

He is a doer as well as a leader.

So please help me congratulate a person I am honored to call my friend: SAM HARDING