Meet the Volunteers

Every year hundreds of Kaiser Permanente employees and physicians apply to spend a week of their own vacation time volunteering to help rebuild the Gulf Coast. Each of the volunteers selected has their own reason for going; each also has a strong commitment to volunteerism and community service. Read about each of the volunteers below.

New Orleans

2013 Staff & Project Managers

	John Edmiston Program Office (Northern California) "Katrina and Rita were the worst natural disaster to ever strike this country, but the spirit and resilience of the Gulf Coast residents, and the compassion of our volunteers, will continue to help in the recovery we're committed to. Since George Halvorson first gave the green-light in 2006, the response has been overwhelming, with more applications every year. Managing this project has been a gift, and the life-long friendships I've made have enriched my life far more than I ever imagined."
	Angie Harvey Northwest "I've been blessed with many opportunities to give back in my own community and now I am honored to help the people of New Orleans in their continued quest to recover from the devastation of Katrina. To help even one person smile a little easier would be a success. I am so very excited to get to work! As Winston Churchill once said,"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give"."
	Brenton Lee Program Office (Northern California) "When someone performs an act of kindness to bless another person, there is grace and humility that permeates that action. When 30+ people come together in concert and affect noticeable change, there is something more - hope and momentum - that reverberates through everyone's soul, and brings a knowing smile to all who can sense a rising crescendo of progress that drowns out fear and trepidation... I absolutely love this project, and am grateful that the people of New Orleans welcome us with an embrace that envelops each and every one of us from Kaiser, and leaves an indelible impression on our hearts and minds that furthers our inspiration to make a difference."
	Alex Mustille Northern California "Planet Earth offers us such great bounty, yet all we've gathered can be wiped away in a momentary display of her incredible forces. What can we do in the face of such power but stand together as one people and help to rebuild our communities even stronger?"
	Ashleigh Rucker Southern California "Service has always been part of my life. I feel truly fortunate to be able to represent Kaiser Permanente while giving back to a community that is still so affected by such a devastating tragedy."
	Jonathan Sandoval Southern California "This is a unique opportunity to help restore hope and faith to those who were immediately affected by the Gulf Coast tragedies. I couldn't be there immediately following the events, but my heart was always pulled by their situation. My hope is that by partaking in this event and hearing the personal stories of perseverance first-hand, it will enable their efforts and feelings to extend beyond their state lines as we return to our local lives."
	Jamie Taylor Northern California ""I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." - Mahatma Gandhi"
	Alan Villatuya Northern California "During college, I went to New Orleans and fell in love with the area. The town has such a rich history and great architecture, and once I heard about the Gulf Rebuilding Project, it's something I've always wanted to do. I'm happy to finally have the opportunity to help out any way I can."
2013 Volunteers

	Cindy Benko Northern California "Living in California where the weather is so mild, I can only imagine the suffering and loss that my fellow Americans experienced and for many still exists. I have followed the inspiring stories on Kaiser Permanente's intranet over the last few years and yearned to help. What an amazing gift Kaiser is giving our folks, to share, assist, enrich, learn, give hope, and be an integral part of making an invaluable difference in the lives of those who have survived such historical devastation. The rewards that come from knowing you are making a difference when it is most needed is the best there is."
	Carol Bernstein Southern California "I am honored and grateful for this opportunity to volunteer and be of service in the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans. The resilience, fortitude and positive spirit of the people who live in New Orleans is very inspiring and I am excited to be able to contribute and make a positive impact on such a wonderful community."
	Kelli Brown-Neuman, Project Manager II Bakersfield, California "My parents lived in Mandeville, LA for years. Living as part of a community on Lake Pontchartrain, they were always at risk of flooding during hurricane season. I cannot fathom the feelings people displaced by Katrina must experience daily, and being given the opportunity to help a family get back into a home and be settled is an honor. “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” - Muhammad Ali"
	Maritza Castro Northern California "I have always made volunteering a part of my life; it reminds me of what is important and of value. It started out small, doing things here and there for work. You then start to see how it affects you and how one can impact other people’s lives. The first time I saw hundreds of people who needed help in Bolivia, I knew that this is what I was meant to do. Since then, I have helped hundreds of people receive the gift of sight, from children in foreign countries to homeless people in San Francisco. An example of such a person was a fifty year old woman in Bolivia who had never really seen her children, family members, or friends. When she received glasses for the first time in her life, she was amazed. I am proud to be a part of the Gulf Coast Project and I am confident that volunteering for this worthy cause will again change my life for the better."
	Lynne Daniels Northern California "I am honored to be a part of the Gulf Coast rebuilding effort. I grew up in a home where everyone participated in volunteer/ community based projects. We were taught to whom much is given, much is expected. I look forward to meeting all of the other volunteers and contributing to helping the people of New Orleans."
	Shirley Huang Southern California"Kaiser Permanente is giving me the opportunity to take part in a volunteer project, which will benefit those affected by the Gulf Coast hurricanes. "You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and to impoverish yourself if you forget the errand." - Woodrow Wilson"
	Ginger Javier Northern California "I am thrilled to be part of NOLA 2013! Having the opportunity to represent Kaiser and participate in the rebuilding efforts of many is a great honor. Looking forward to carrying on the New Orleans commitment."
	Karen Keenan Program Offices "When I learned about the work Kaiser Permanente has been doing in the Gulf Coast area, it made me proud to know how KP responded to the Katrina devastation. And even more so to learn how we've continued to help with the rebuilding efforts this many years later, at a time when others may have forgotten how immense the needs continue to be down there. Working alongside other KP volunteers in New Orleans will be a wonderful way to support the KP mission and to personally give back."
	Lisa Killen Program Office (Southern California) "Many people haven’t moved back to New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. So I think it’s important to support those who did choose to return – to rebuild not just their homes, but also their sense of community. I feel very lucky to join KP employees from across the country for the Gulf Coast Rebuilding Project. And I’m grateful to work for an organization that consistently demonstrates its social mission—in this case through a long-term commitment to the people of the Gulf Coast."
	Judy Kleeman Colorado "My first trip to New Orleans was in 1975, while pregnant with my first of four children. I have loved the city ever since. One of my sons was stationed there with his family for 4 years. The people and the city are amazing and so full of life. I have been there 5 times with Rebuilding Together and find much joy in helping families regain their homes. I look forward to my first trip with Kaiser Permanente and hope to do more. I also go to Esperanza, near Juarez, to help build homes and do outreach. These families are also so grateful for what we can give."
	Anne Laporte Hawaii "I'm a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator. I've worked for the Hawaii Region for 25 years. The culture of Kaiser Permanente has always been about reaching out to others and lending a hand. I'm an empty nestor and I now have the time to give back to my community and to communities in need. I'm passionate about my volunteer work and feel very fortunate to do something so meaningful with my co-workers and friends. I hope I can be of service to a community that has seen its share of hardship. Looking forward to sharing some Aloha!"
	Rebecca Love Southern California "It is an exciting honor to be part of the Kaiser Permanente Gulf Coast service project. It has been wonderful to be part of local service projects with Kaiser Permanente and it is a special opportunity to work with and be in service of families and neighborhoods that experienced the hardship of Katrina and Rita. Being invited into a community and building friendships and connections with the residents and fellow employees is a privilege for which I am grateful. I look forward to meeting everyone and helping in any way I can."
	Virginia Lucas Southern California "I'm so proud to be part of an organization that has returned to the Gulf Coast every year since Katrina to rebuild the communities in need. It's not just about rebuilding the physical structures, it's also about rebuilding spirit, hope, and a sense of community. Doing for others creates a wonderful, contagious energy, but it also reminds you of how important it is to be part of something so much bigger than yourself."
	Jim McNerney Program Office (Mid-Atlantic States) "I am excited by being chosen to participate in the 2013 Kaiser Permanente Gulf Coast Rebuilding Project because I know that the energy of the KP family makes anything possible. At the same time I am humbled by that selection because I know that for all that we can and will do to make things better for the residents of New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast there is so much more that needs to be done."
	Anjetta McQueen Program Office (Southern California) "President John F. Kennedy once said, "One person can make a difference, and everyone should try." I keep this quote on my refrigerator to remind me that volunteering should be a way of life, instead of just a hobby. I currently lead the service group One Brick LA in its monthly contribution to Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit that sends letters, care packages and supplies to active duty soldiers overseas and to their families waiting at home. These small packages mean a great deal to people who are making huge sacrifices. Likewise, rebuilding after Katrina continues to be a daunting task. Thus, I am honored to spend a week contributing to the recovery in any way that I can."
	Thu Pham Northern California "I believe in giving back to the community and I am proud to work for an organization that allows me the opportunity to do so in a significant way. I've been to New Orleans once and love the culture, food, and atmosphere there. I am excited to be part of a dedicated team to make some positive difference in that great city."
	Jenevive Sandoval Southern California "I feel very fortunate to have been selected to join my fellow Kaiser Permanente volunteers in the Gulf Coast Rebuilding Project. I cannot fathom the devastation this community has gone through due to hurricanes Katrina and Rita. To be given the opportunity to give this community an ounce of hope and faith by donating my time and to give a family a place to call home, gives me great pleasure. I look forward to spending a week with this community and to giving them hope for the future and faith in mankind. I consider myself to be fortunate and humbled to be able to learn of their experiences, their perseverance and their will to move on. In the words of Margaret Mead,"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." I'm ready to get to work!"
	Debra Sandstrom Northwest "I am thrilled and grateful to be among the Gulf Coast volunteers this year. Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to community service and volunteerism is admirably represented by this endeavor. Our National Facilities Services Northwest team makes an effort every year to give back to our community. Giving and doing good, with an open heart, exemplifies the finest impulses of both individuals and caring corporations, which Kaiser Permanente may be counted among."
	Nicole Simmons Northwest "I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Gulf Coast project and lend a helping hand to those in need. I recently became a KP Big in the Beyond School Walls Program, in partnership with the Big Brothers & Big Sisters organization. The joy I feel in providing inspiration to these young children through support, mentorship and guidance makes me feel proud to know that I’m making a positive impact on their lives. Since many of them do not have anyone to look up to, it gives me a chance to walk in their shoes and see life from their perspective. I cannot wait to meet other passionate volunteers and I hope we can continue to achieve great milestones!"
	Vince Smith Northern California "As lifelong fan of the blues, a guitar maker and guitar player, I am huge fan of New Orleans, the very birthplace of the blues and jazz. I was fortunate to be a part of the Kaiser Gulf Coast Rebuilding Project in 2007 for my first time in NOLA and I had the most incredible experiences. Witnessing the outpouring of goodwill from our fellow Kaiser employees made me incredibly proud to be a part of this organization and meeting the Survivors of Katrina, hearing their stories and working on their houses was life changing. Now, I can't wait to get back there as a member of the Kaiser team to see New Orleans getting back on its feet. I'd love to see some of the buildings and places that I worked on. And then of course, I want to pitch in some more; to give something back to the city that has given so much, to me, to America and to every music fan in the world. NOLA here I come!"
	Nancy Sonnenfeld Colorado "The Gulf Coast Rebuilding Project offers a fabulous opportunity to serve some of our country's most vulnerable residents, and a tangible way to help reduce health disparities in the broadest sense. My interest in public health and community development was sparked by working on volunteer projects in Latin America many years ago; I am proud to be part of a team and organization working toward positive change in this region."
	Pamela Wagner Northern California "As a child, volunteering was something that was a given. Several times throughout the year I volunteer with the Alameda County Food Bank. For the last 8-10 years I have volunteered with the MLK Day of Service, whether it is working in the gardens at Urban Tilth in Richmond, painting in Berkeley and Oakland, volunteering to feed seniors at a senior home, or providing assistance to any organization that needs another pair of hands."
	Beth Werner Mid-Atlantic States "I am very excited that I was chosen to serve on the Gulf Coast team. Helping others is a passion of mine. Working on a service project in another part of the country is something I've wanted to do for years. I am proud to work for an organization that values the need to continue to support the Gulf Coast restoration effort. I look forward to working, learning, and connecting with Kaiser Permanente team members and the local community."
	Glenn Young Hawaii "It is such an honor and privilege to be part of the Kaiser Ohana (family). I have been blessed to have been working at Kaiser Permanente for almost 20 years serving the people of Hawaii. Although Kaiser does not have any clinics or hospitals in New Orleans, they provide support and outreach to people who live there. Even after 8 years, Kaiser realizes that help is still needed to rebuild the damage done by Hurricane Katrina. I am grateful to have been chosen to be part of the team representing Kaiser in New Orleans, and I hope to make a difference in their community."